Efficient composting of empty fruit bunches (EFB), a palm oil industry by-product, is limited by high lignocellulosic content. This study investigates applying biochar to enhance microbial activity and surfactants to accelerate the degradation of recalcitrant structures, improving EFB composting efficiency. Experiments were conducted at 50°C for 42 days, monitoring pH, C/N ratio, and chemical composition. The addition of biochar and surfactants significantly reduced the C/N ratio from 22.19 to 6.95 and increased pH from 6.15 to 10.88. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy quantitatively confirmed enhanced decomposition through the intensity ratio of aliphatic C-H stretching (2928 cm -1 ) to stable aromatic groups (1510 cm -1 ), which decreased by 40% in the treatment group compared to 15% in the control. Spectral results revealed a 40% reduction in cellulose peaks (2928 cm -1 ), a 35% decrease in lignin peaks (1600 cm -1 ), and a 25% increase in humic acid-associated peaks (1400–1500 cm -1 ), reflecting improved maturity. The synergistic use of biochar and surfactants accelerated lignocellulosic degradation, enhanced microbial activity, and promoted stabilization. These findings offer a sustainable approach to agricultural waste management, highlighting the potential for improving composting efficiency in the palm oil industry. Future research should address scalability and long-term effects in real-world applications.
Hilmy et al. (2026) studied this question.