Fig. 3-9 Outline of animal feeds production process from oil palm wastes Empty fruit bunch (EFB) of oil palm is first cut in short pieces 2 ~ 3 cm and put into a bag with some inorganic nitrogen sources as for example ammonium sulfate and rice bran (Preparation of culture media) which is irradiated with gamma-rays or electron beams at the dose of 10 ~ 30 kGy to kill fungi and bacteria. Then fermentation for a month with such useful fungi as mushroom is carried out to produce animal feeds or edible mushrooms.

Fig. 3-10 Effect of radiation sterilization Oil palm wastes are generally contaminated with many micro-organisms to be sterilized before fermentation. Fermentation with oyster-mushroom a kind of saju-caju, was found to upgrade EFB as animal feed with decreasing lignin content thus more digestable and increasing protein content.

Cellulosic wastes generated in a huge amount all over the world can be a threat to the earth's environment. Aiming at effective utilization of resources and preservation of the environment, we are studying in collaboration with Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Science and Technologies (MINST) to produce animal feeds from oil palm wastes after radiation disinfection followed by adequate fermentation. Malaysia, the world's foremost palm-oil producing country generates cellulosic wastes such as empty fruit bunch (EFB) and others after harvesting in an amount of larger than 6 million tons/year. They are too hard even for ruminants to digest and need to be fermented to be used as animal feed. For the fermentation to be performed it is necessary to remove micro-organisms that would prevent it. Radiation sterilization using electron beams or gamma-rays is a reliable and suitable method for continuous treatment of large amount of wastes. At present JAERI and MINST are engaging in a pilot-scale plant test with 10 tons/month for technical evaluation.

Reference T. Kume, Effective Utilization of Agricultual Wastes by Radiations, Radiat. Industries 67, 17 (1995).

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