ENHANCING PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT TREATMENT: HARNESSING BIOENGINEERED STRUCTURAL BIOMEDIA

Palm oil production is a vital contributor to global agriculture and commerce, yet the management of its byproducts poses significant environmental challenges. The discharge of palm oil mill effluent (POME) into water bodies has raised concerns due to its high organic content and potential to cause water pollution. In this study, we investigate an innovative approach to improve POME treatment using bioengineered structural biomedia. These biomedia, designed with tailored microbial communities, offer enhanced pollutant degradation and bioremediation potential. Our research aims to optimize the design and application of these biomedia in POME treatment systems, thereby contributing to the sustainable management of palm oil industry byproducts and mitigating their environmental impact.