The potential of several endophytic Trichoderma isolates, isolated from healthy oil palm roots was assessed against Ganoderma boninense (PER71), the causal agent of Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease through in vitro screening. In the dual culture assay, all endophytic Trichoderma isolates were found to be capable of inhibiting the growth of PER71 mycelium, by causing more than 70% inhibition of the pathogen's radial growth (PIRG). Trichoderma asperellum M103 has caused the highest inhibition at 93.14%. The volatile compound produced by M103 also suppressed 65% of the pathogen's radial growth.On the other hand, T. harzianum, M108 was found to have the ability to produce non-volatile compounds that is toxic and it has effectively inhibited 98.18% of the growth of PER71. Collectively, T. asperellum M103 and T. harzianum M108 have the potential to inhibit the growth of G. boninense PER71. These isolates were shown to be viable options for the future management of G. boninense in the oil palm field.

Physical optimization is important for enzyme production by fermentation process. In general, fermentation process at optimal condition increases the expression and production level of enzyme to many times in comparison with their natural production. This study was focused on the optimization of the physical factors that influenced the thermostable alkaline protease production. The induction and incubation time were studied using conventional method while the other three factors which are incubation temperature, initial pH of medium and agitation speed were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The interaction effects among these factors were explained using response plot and the model adequacy was satisfactory as the coefficient of determination (R2) was 96.48%. The enhancement of thermostable protease from 197.83 U/ml to 325.89 U/ml was achieved using both conventional and statistical approach of response surface methodology (RSM). This present study proved that physical optimization significantly affects the protease production and the optimum physical condition obtained may applied in large scale process.

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is liquid waste produced from palm oil extraction process. Discharging it to the river without treatment is violation according to Malaysia Environment of Quality Act (EQA) 1974. In Malaysia, ponding system is a conventional treatment method for POME due to its economical and simple process. The treatment process mainly involves two main treatment phases; anaerobic and aerobic degradation. Anaerobic degradation has a proven track record in reducing pollutant properties in POME up to 85%. The real challenge is to increase the efficiency of aerobic process as the biological oxygen demand (BOD) discharge limit has been further reduced from 100 mg•L −1 to less than 20 mg•L −1 . One of economical and feasible approach to increase the efficiency of aerobic phase is via bioremediation. This paper describes the limitation of aerobic degradation in ponding system, besides discussed on the important aspects that need to be optimized for a success implementation of bioremediation and its challenges.