Kapok predominantly utilized as an adsorbent in removing wastewater such as dye, oil and heavy metals. However, a comparative study between acid-treated and alkali-treated carbonized Kapok fibers has not been carried out in detail. In this study, as-made Kapok fibers were carbonized and subsequently undergo acid (HCL) and alkali (NaOH) treatment. The resultant treated Kapok fibers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Elemental Analyzer (EA) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). As-made carbonized Kapok fibers were tested with oil/water absorption model system. A reduction of band intensity at 1740 cm−1 and 1245 cm−1 occurred for NaOH treated sample compared with HCL. The composition of carbon in Kapok fiber increased after carbonization treatment using NaOH (62.42%) and HCL (66.15%) compared with untreated (0.17%). For oil/water absorption system, the result indicated that HCL-treated Kapok fibre was the highest absorption on 28.10 gg−1 diesel, 27.28 gg−1 petrol and 39.84 gg−1 for used vegetable oil respectively in comparison with NaoH-treated and as-made carbonized Kapor fibers. In conclusion, modification of the surface of carbonized Kapok fibers could significantly alter its textural properties which could enhance its oil absorptive behavior.

Hydrophobic-oleophilic properties of Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) fibre enables it to show good oil absorption capacity. In this study, Kapok fibre was treated with two types of solvent which is Hydrochloric acid solution (HCl) and Sodium Hydroxide solution (NaOH). Both solutions function to remove lignin, pectin and wax that surrounds the outer surface of Kapok fibre. To achieve its carbonized properties, both samples of Kapok fibre were burned in a furnace at 450°C for approximately an hour. By doing this, it was found that activation time between carbonized Kapok fibre porosity shows a positive result, thus enhancing the capability of Kapok fibre as an absorbent. Absorption rate of two samples of Kapok fibre which is NaOH-treated Kapok fibre and HCl-treated Kapok fibre were evaluated on different types of oils which are diesel, lubricant oil, petrol and used vegetable oil. Mass used for each absorbent samples differ by using 0.2 g, 0.4 g, 0.6 g, 0.8 g and 1.0 g respectively. Dosage reusability and percentage of oil removal were examined for this two samples of absorbent. From the dosage reusability experiment it showed that both carbonized Kapok fibre can absorbed the oil after six cycle of using the same absorbent dosage. Meanwhile, the absorption oil experiment showed that HCl-treated Kapok fibre higher than NaOH- treated Kapok fibre. It is proven that HCL-treated Kapok fibre can perform better compared to NaOH-treated Kapok fibre.

This study investigated the growth performance of Fusarium proliferatum isolated from agarwood, on different types of plated media prepared with liquid broth extracts of locally available agricultural products. The potential of F. proliferatum in selected media to induce agarwood formation in Aquilaria trees was also assessed. A total of 27 media formulations were evaluated as alternative media to potato dextrose agar (PDA) for F. proliferatum. The effects of culture media on the diameter growth of fungal mycelium were significant (F = 6.70, df = 26, p < 0.01). The best growth was recorded on 50% soybean followed by PDA and 70% kidney bean with mean mycelium diameters of 7.00 ± 0.00, 6.63 ± 0.83 and 6.50 ± 0.06 cm respectively. In the field trial, F. proliferatum in all three media successfully induced agarwood formation on A. malaccensis and A. crassna with significant discoloration zones compared with the uninoculated control trees (p ≤ 0.05) after five months. Fifty percent soybean in combination with F. proliferatum induced the largest discoloration zone, indicating potential as a cheaper and more accessible alternative to PDA. These results suggest that the combination of a chemical inducer in the form of a liquid media formulation and a biological inducer, in this case, an endophytic fungus could successfully induce agarwood formation in Aquilaria trees.

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