Group – Bioingredient
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, we have seen steps are being taken toward bio-based economy. Multiple drivers, policies and geographical prevalence, are steering an economy where bioresource utilization are optimized and material wastes are minimized. In fact global efforts are being mobilized to produce new bio-products and process to complement or replace fossil-fuel dependent technologies with to reduce green-house gas (GHG), while economic perspectives are developed and supported by innovative policies. BioEconomy, based on innovative and cost-effective use of Malaysia’s abundant bioresource for the production of bioingredients, covering food, feed, bioenergy and bio-based products.
Industrial or White Biotechnology is an emerging field within modern biotechnology that serves industry. It uses living cell like moulds, yeast or bacteria as well as enzymes to produce goods and services.
RESEARCH FOCUS
Biomass utilization
The core activity of the bioingredient group is to develop sustainable, bio-based production system toward a spectrum of marketable products and energy. The targeted raw material is biomass, with special emphasis on oil-palm biomass. Palm biomass is a major “waste material” from oil palm extraction. Approximately 1tonne of oil palm empty fruit bunch is produced for every tonne of oil extracted
Enzyme production technology
Production of sugar(s) is regarded as the critical platform intermediate, to connect the various bio-based systems and processes, involving the utilization of enzymes and microorganisms. The conversion processes will include bio-based operations as the preferred method, without excluding the complimentary chemicals and mechanical steps
Bio-conversion of side-stream components from lignocelllose biomass
The technology developed for biomass enzymes can be utilized to produce other industrially important enzymes. Sugar from biomass, as the platform intermediate, can be converted into numerous chemicals that are currently produced form petro-chemical feed-stocks. Implementation of suitable enzymes and/or microbial fermentation system can for the basis for the production of bio-based ingredient for the future chemical industries
The development of biosurfactants from oligomer sugars
The need exists to identify the use of these materials as the basis for higher, value-added products, such as surfactants. Several research groups in the world are creating a platform for advancing the knowledge on the structure–performance properties and for facilitating the penetration of sugar-based surfactants in traditional markets dominated by nonrenewable nonionic surfactants
TEAM MEMBERS
Leader
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Yusof Maskat
Members
- Prof. Dr. Jamaliah Jahim
- Prof. Dr. Osman Hassan
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wan Aida Wan Mustapha
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairiah Hj. Badri
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farah Diba Abu Bakar
- Assoc. Prof. Dr Sahilah Abdul Mutalib
- Pn. Shuhaida Harun
- Cik Arnida Hani Teh
GROUP LEADER: ASSOC. PROF. DR. MOHAMAD YUSOF MASKAT
School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology
Faculty of Science and Technology
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 Bangi, Selangor
Tel: 603-89213658
Email: yusofm@ukm.edu.my