Zul Ilham

• D.Sc.(Energy)(Kyoto)
• Associate Professor at University of Malaya

In this study, the main objective is to evaluate the suitability of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for the oil extraction from coconut copra residue, in comparison to conventional techniques; Soxhlet extraction (SXE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). The extractions were done by treatment at 60 °C (± 5) of a 10 g sample, with hexane as...

The increasing need for alternative and sustainable energy sources, prompted by the depletion of fossil fuels and the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, has generated attention towards exploring fast-growing filamentous fungi as a potential bioenergy source. This study aimed to optimize Ganoderma lucidum production for elevated biomass and lipid yie...

The extraction of lipids from Ganoderma lucidum mycelial biomass presents a potential cost-effective solution for biodiesel production. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of three different lipid extraction methods: Soxhlet extraction (SXE), solvent extraction (SVE), and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). The biomass (5 g) was subjected t...

The addition of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to fermented foods has been progressively expanded to produce ‘Superfood’. In this study, Tetragenococcus halophiluswas extracted from soy sauce moromi from local factory and evaluated for its potential of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) production in kimchi fermentation. There were four different formu...

Research, teaching, and involvement at an American university in the areas of green energy and sustainability has placed it at the forefront of international leadership. Its campuses serve as living laboratories for the creation, testing, and implementation of ideas that solve some of the world's most difficult problems. However, very few literatur...

Eutrophication and hypereutrophication in lakes foster harmful blue-green algal blooms, which pose a significant threat to the ecological health of freshwater reservoirs. This study investigated the effectiveness of the bio-flocculation approach using the Ganoderma lucidum fungus strain BGF4A1 to remove these harmful blooms, specifically targeting...

This book chronicles Universiti Malaya’s ten-year partnership with the Asian Students Environmental Platform (ASEP), highlighting its role in advancing environmental sustainability across Asia. From 2014 to 2023, Universiti Malaya engaged students and academic leaders in numerous projects, driving impactful initiatives in key areas such as biodiver...

This study addresses the challenge of enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in soy sauce through optimized fermentation condition. Using a multiple starter culture, consisting of Aspergillus oryzae strain NSK, Bacillus cereus strain KBC and Tetragenococcus halophilus strain KBC, the incubation conditions including the percentage of bacte...

Mushroom rural cultivation consumes an average 6-month period, while urban cultivation takes only 10 days or less. In this study, mushroom biomass was ground and converted into a flour to produce mushroom-chicken patties using Lingzhi and Enoki. The inclusion of Enoki in chicken patties (10%, 20%, and 30%) indicates higher consumer acceptance signi...

The environmental conditions of a lake are influenced by its type and various environmental forces such as water temperature, nutrients content, and longitude and latitude to which it is exposed. Due to population growth and development limits, former mining lakes are being converted to more lucrative land uses like those of recreational zones, agr...

Libraries are vital for learning, literacy, and fostering innovation. Emphasizing green and sustainable practices is crucial to conserve resources. This research focused on transforming the Universiti Malaya (UM) Main Library into a greener space through placemaking and green initiatives. To assess the greening potential of the library, a systemati...

A newly identified yeast, Candida parapsilosisstrain KBC (CPSKBC) was tested for its GABA-producing potential in miso fermentation and consumer acceptability towards the GABA-miso was evaluated through sensory analysis. Three different formulations were used over one month to make the GABA-miso: formulation 1 (F1) used soybeans, rice koji, and miso...

Due to industrialization and urbanization, the world is experiencing environmental degradation at an alarming rate. Irresponsible human behaviors have caused environmental concerns that are drastically affecting the natural ecosystem. To ensure a sustainable future for all, pro-environmental behavior should be practiced among university students to...

The versatility of a well-known fibrous crop, Hibiscus cannabinus (kenaf) is still relatively new to many. Kenaf’s potential applications, which can be extended even into critical industries such as pharmaceutical and food industries, have always been overshadowed by its traditionally grown fiber. Therefore, this study aimed to venture into the bio...

Mushroom rural cultivation consumes averagely 6-month period, while urban cultivation takes only 10 days or less. In this study, mushroom biomass was grinded and converted into a flour to produce mushroom-chicken patties using Lingzhi and Enoki. The inclusion of Enoki in chicken patties (10%, 20% and 30%) indicates higher consumer acceptance signif...

Microbial biomass is a promising supply of essential fatty acids (EFAs) for utilization in human and animal nutrition such as fish. EFAs, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are needed for cell regulation and disease prevention. Oleaginous microorganisms from species like fungi ( Cryptococcus, Cunninghamella, and Mortierella ), microalga...

In recent years, kenaf has gained significant global attention as a more cost-effective, adaptable, and manageable alternative to other fibre crops. India and China, with nearly 70% of the global kenaf production, have emerged as the leading producers of kenaf plants. While kenaf was traditionally valued for its paper production, it has evolved int...

Kenaf or Hibiscus cannabinus is an annual herbaceous crop that grows well in temperate regions with high rainfall and abundant solar radiation. This Malvaceae member is famously known for its high-quality fibre that is directly retrieved from its dried stem materials and is useful in various industries, mainly in paper and pulp, bio-composite, text...

The depletion of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases have increased the demand for new and sustainable energy sources, leading to growing interest in using fast-growing filamentous fungi as a source of bioenergy. This study aimed to optimize the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) and mycelial biomass (MB) from the native medicinal...

Soy sauce is an Oriental fermented condiment, and key ingredient in many Asian cuisines. As consumers around the world are becoming more adventurous with their eating choices and preferences, the demand for and popularity of Asian cuisines are increasing globally. The underlying basis of soy sauce fermentation is intricate microbial interactions wh...

Conventional stirred-tank bioreactor (STR) designs are optimised for cultures of bacteria but not fungal cultures; therefore, a new Air-L-Shaped Bioreactor (ALSB) was fabricated. The ALSB was designed to eliminate the wall growth and clumping of fungal mycelium in STRs. Ganoderma lucidum was used as a fungal model and its biomass and exopolysacchar...

Though the pandemic has created an imbalance and disrupted the economy in the food industry, it has had a positive impact on speeding the acceptance of the industry towards digital innovations (DI). The shift toward digitalization is leading the food industry to leverage innovations that can serve the dual purpose of safer and sustainable food oper...

Fungal biomass is the future’s feedstock. Non-septate Ascomycetes and septate Basidiomycetes, famously known as mushrooms, are sources of fungal biomass. Fungal biomass, which on averagely comprises about 34% protein and 45% carbohydrate, can be cultivated in bioreactors to produce affordable, safe, nontoxic, and consistent biomass quality. Fungal-...

In order to progress towards a more sustainable energy future, Malaysia should reduce its reliance on fossil-based energy sources and shifting to green and renewable energy. Therefore, focus on energy education awareness programmes emphasising sustainable behaviours and frameworks are required. These programmes connect with Sustainable Development...

Switching to renewable energy resources as an alternative is critical for developing countries in order to ensure energy security and diversify their energy supply. Malaysia is endowed with biomass, solar, waste-to-energy, wind, and hydro energy potentials, although these have not been fully explored. This is because the country continues to rely e...

According to research on the COVID-19 pandemic, consumption of a variety of foods, drinks, nutritional supplements, and other substances that could assist the immune system’s defense against the disease is advised. Among these, fermented foods, an age-old method of food preservation, especially in Asia offer better advantages. Fermented foods provi...

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the awareness level of university students on energy conservation by focusing on their knowledge, attitude and practice. Energy awareness is a feasible energy conservation measure, but an inappropriate approach can cause the wastage of resources. The current number of reported awareness studies especially among t...

There is a pressing demand for new sustainable eco-friendly approaches to producing green energy worldwide. This study represents the novel production of biodiesel feedstock from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum QRS 5120 using state-of-the-art biotechnology tools. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to enhance G. lucidum production...

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has several health-promoting qualities, leading to a growing demand for natural GABA production via microbial fermentation. The GABA-producing abilities of the new Tetragenococcus halophilus (THSK) isolated from a commercial soy sauce moromi were proven in this investigation. Under aerobic conditions, the isolate prod...

Species invasion is a leading threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, being deemed as one of the ultimate jeopardies for biodiversity along with climate change. Tackling the emerging biodiversity threat to maintain the ecological balance of the largest biome in the world has now become a pivotal part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mari...

Oil palm infectious diseases have devastating economic implications for the Southeast Asian nations of Indonesia and Malaysia. Therefore, this paper reviews oil palm growth, related diseases, specifically Ganoderma sp. infection, and control methods. The literature was sourced from Scopus using the following keywords: Oil palm, palm oil, Ganoderma...

Without any intervention, Malaysia will be among the heaviest users of energy per capita in Asia. One strategy to reduce energy intensity is by educating future adults. Unfortunately, ineffective approaches due to unclear baseline understanding of students’ energy conservation awareness contribute to the failure of environmental protection programm...

Currently, owing to global increasing concern toward energy security and its environmental consequences, biomass has been promoted as an important resource to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by its conversion to biofuels. In this chapter, an overview of the composition, properties, and availability of various biomass resources, particularly the ene...

The Malaysian palm oil industry has grown rapidly in recent years. An abundance of oil palm biomass is generated from the palm oil mil, including fronds, trunks, mesocarp fibre, shells, and empty fruit bunches (EFB). These oil palm wastes (OPW) were potentially converted into value-added products such as syngas, bio-oil, and biochar through thermoc...

In 2015, the United Nations initiated the Sustainable development goals (SDGs) to address the global changes while ensuring better and sustainable actions for the future. Among Asian countries, Malaysia has also made an effort to integrate the SDGs into its national development plan. In this study, the awareness level of youth from high schools in...

As an alternative route from the conventional alkali-catalyzed biodiesel production, the supercritical dimethyl carbonate method had been proven to successfully produce biodiesel with the co-production of glycerol carbonate in a one-step and two-step non-catalytic methods. Biodiesel or fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) obtained were high in yield, co...

Natural mycelial biomass (MB) and exopolysaccharides (EPS) of Malaysian tiger milk mushroom Lignosus rhinocerus are considered high-end components due to their high commercial potential value in drug discovery. This study aims to evaluate the toxicity of the mushroom extracts’ generated in a bioreactor using the zebrafish embryo toxicity (ZFET) mod...

Malaysian universities are currently facing a decline of students' interest in science. It is perceived that the students' practices in laboratory activities with properly managed activities could result in positive interest in science. In that sense, it is argued that laboratory activities are less constrained, creating excellent opportunities for...

A rare wild-Serbian Ganoderma applanatum strain BGS6Ap (GASB) was morphologically identified based on its basidiocarp with brownish-red cap and woody stipe. Molecularly, GASB DNA was extracted, sequenced (651 bp) and subjected to phylogenetic analysis with evolutionary distance (Knuc). A plasmid Editor (ApE) software was used to verify the sequence...

Natural mycelial biomass (MB) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced from bioreactor-grown Malaysian Tiger Milk Mushroom Lignosus rhinocerus are considered high-end components due to their high commercial potential value in drug discovery. Both MB (0.16-10 mg/mL) and EPS (0.16-10 mg/mL) extracts were tested for Zebrafish Embryo Toxicity (ZFET) and ea...

Soy sauce is a traditional condiment that, due to its documented health benefits, is becoming increasingly ubiquitous. It is produced in a two‐stage fermentation process consisting of, a solid‐state fermentation or koji involving mould, followed by brine fermentation or moromi involving halophilic bacteria and salt‐tolerant yeasts. Efforts have bee...

Cavendish banana is the second most cultivated species in Malaysia due to its high potassium and vitamin B6 content. However, there has been little commercialisation of Cavendish banana in jam making to date because of its unappealing physical characteristics and unsavoury taste. In the present study, response surface methodology was used to determ...

Soy sauce fermentation was improved using the trio of A. oryzae (AO), B. cereus (BC), and the newly identified Tetragenococcus halophilus KBC (TH) in liquid-state fermentation. The effect of molasses (5%, 10%, and 20%) and type of wheat flour (organic-WFO and commercial-WFC) were tested on the koji-moromi formulation for efficient ɣ-aminobutyric ac...

On account of increasing waste problems and energy crisis, this study performed waste‐to‐energy on three kinds of intermediate waste epoxy resins, including the one used for printed circuit board manufacture (WE1), the one from Bisphenol A type epoxy resin (WE2), and the one from purifying process (WE3), using water washing and torrefaction. Biomas...

The development of liveable space made from shipping containers becomes a trend even in Malaysia with the hot and humid climate persisting throughout the year. For sustaining the indoor comfort, building insulation is well adapted to increase thermal resistance and reduce the dependency on the mechanical cooling systems. The prospective of a shippi...

Alternative fuels for diesel engines have become highly important in the automotive industry due to the depleting fossil fuel sources and increased environmental concerns. Biodiesel fuel has a good combustion characteristic because of their long-chain hydrocarbon structure but the higher density and viscosity of the fuel can contribute to several e...

Natural mycelial exopolysaccharide (EPS) and endopolysaccharide (ENS) extracted from bioreactor-cultivated European Ganoderma applanatum mushrooms are of potential high commercial value for both food and adjacent biopharmaceutical industries. In order to evaluate their potential toxicity for aquaculture application, both EPS (0.01–10 mg/mL) and ENS...

River tamarind or scientifically Leucaena leucocephala, is one of the underutilized nanocellulose resources with the potential to be used in reinforcement materials. This work evaluated the use of the insoluble residual waste or marc obtained during the isolation of galactomannan from Leucaena leucocephala seed (LLS) as a feedstock of cellulose to...

Contribution of renewable energy (RE) in current Malaysian energy mix is limited despite of the abundant biomass from its agriculture and sufficient sunshine and rainfall throughout the year. As future leaders, the acceptance of young generation towards RE reflects the most important public decision and policy especially in reducing dependency on f...

Biodiesel can be used as an alternative fuel for the diesel engine and have a good combustion characteristic because of their long-chain hydrocarbon structure. However, biodiesel possesses few disadvantages such as lower heating value, higher viscosity, higher density and will contribute to several engine problems such as low atomization during inj...

In a commercial oyster mushroom farm, from 300 g of the total harvest, only the cap and stem of the fruiting body parts are harvested (200 g) while the unused lower section called fruiting‐body‐base (FBB) is discarded (50 g). A new antioxidative FBB flour (FBBF) conversion to mixed‐ratio chicken patty was recently developed which converts 16.67% of...

This research is carried out for optimization of transesterification reaction parameters to convert oil from Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum) seeds into biodiesel. Calophyllum inophyllum seeds were normally left unused due to the toxicity of calophynic acid in the unrefined extracted oil. The optimal variables (parameters) for converting Calophyl...

Conventional energy sources depletion, energy insecurity, fluctuating petroleum prices and global climate change have driven countries worldwide to consider alternative and renewable energy options. The use of biofuel such as bioethanol is as an option over conventional petroleum and important for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly ene...

A new high γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) producing strain of Bacillus cereus was successfully isolated from soy sauce moromi. This B. cereus strain named KBC shared similar morphological characteristics (Gram-positive, rod-shaped) with the reference B. cereus. 16S rRNA sequence of B. cereus KBC was found to be 99% similar with B. cereus strain OPWW1 u...

This study was performed to determine the awareness level of University of Malaya students towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A set of survey questionnaires based on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) was distributed among all the students of University of Malaya and 382 responses were obtained to analyze the awareness level (95% co...

Developing talented graduates to fulfil market challenges is a formidable task for higher education today. By using qualitative method, Malaysian and Japanese professors in selected public universities were interviewed in order to investigate how research practices in laboratory contribute towards student skills development. The result shows that l...

Natural mycelial biomass (MB) and extracted exopolysaccharide (EPS) from the pre-grown Malaysian Ganoderma lucidum mushroom are both considered as high-end materials due to their high commercial value in the aquaculture industry. To evaluate their potential toxicity as a fish-feed supplement for the fungivore red hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), b...

Thraustochytrids have recently gained attention owing to their widespread applications in biodiesel production, biomedicine, and nutraceutical industries. They have a promising capability to produce high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including health-benefiting docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) which are re...

Developing talented graduates to fulfil market challenges is a formidable task for higher education today. By using qualitative method, Malaysian and Japanese professors in selected public universities were interviewed in order to investigate how research practices in laboratory contribute towards student skills development. The result shows that l...

A tropical thraustochytrid, Aurantiochytrium sp. UMACC-T023, was optimised for high biomass and lipid production in submerged-liquid fermentation (SLF). Biomass and lipid production were optimised based on glucose, polypeptone, and yeast extract concentration using response surface methodology (RSM). In RSM, the applied central composite design (CC...

Various topical formulations comprise of methyl salicylate and thymol due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The huge demand has led traditional medicines being susceptible to adulteration with synthetic drugs or their analogues to enhance their efficacy and to minimise the cost of obtaining the limited natural substance. The obje...

Due to the increasing concern towards fossil fuel reserve and its fluctuating price, many countries shifted towards producing biodiesel as an alternative green fuel. In this study, the main objective is to synthesis biodiesel from coconut copra, an agro-industrial residue, as potential feedstock using different transesterification techniques, namel...

A rare Malaysian tiger milk mushroom Lignosus rhinocerus strain ABI (LRSA) was morphologically identified based on its pileus, stipe, and sclerotium. LRSA (515 bp) was sequenced and found to have 99% similar to L. rhinocerus strains CH31 and CH2. Phylogenetically, evolutionary distance (Knuc) and plasmid-matching software (ApE) for sequences of mat...

Enzymatic biofuel cells are a subclass of biofuel cells, which employ enzymes to generate energy from renewable sources. In this study, 3-dimensional graphene (3DG)/glucose oxidase (GOx) bio-nanocomposite was fabricated in order to improve enzyme immobilisation and enzyme lifetime with an enhanced electron transfer rate. These enhancements are due...

A wild-Serbian medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum strain BGF4A1 (GLSB) was isolated from Mount Avala, Serbia and morphologically identified based on its brown-liquorish cap and woody stipe. Molecularly, GLSB (642.8 bp) was sequenced and found to be 99% similar to the Serbian-originated G. lucidum strain BEOFB 434 and G. lucidum strain BEOFB 431....

The project was done to improve Soxhlet process for extraction of oil for seeds of Brucea javanica and explore its various applications. The optimization was done by RSM (response surface methodology) using Box Behnken design of experiment (DoE). Properties of the Brucea javanica oil (BJO) was determined using Gas/Mass Spectrometric approach and Fo...

Biodiesel or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is a green alternative fuel that degrades under long-term storage. Antioxidants are utilized in maintaining the oxidation stability of biodiesel by inhibiting the propagation of free radicals resulting in prolonged shelf life. Usage of natural antioxidants from renewable resources is preferred to sustain...

The waste seeds of Leucaena leucocephala (LLS) used in this study were unused residues obtained after oil and polysaccharides extraction. T he microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was isolated from LLS by acid treatment. MCC produced was, then, further converted to glucose by using sulphuric acid at 121 °C by varying the acid concentration and reaction...

Energy security, fluctuating petroleum prices, resource depletion issues and global climate change have driven countries to consider adding alternative and renewable energy options to their conventional energy share. The use of biofuel such as non-edible oils-based biodiesel is as an option over conventional diesel and could be important for the de...

In submerged-liquid fermentation, seven key parameters were assessed using one-factor-at-a-time to obtain the highest GABA yield using an industrial soy sauce koji Aspergillus oryzae strain NSK (AOSNSK). AOSNSK generated maximum GABA at 30 °C (194 mg/L) and initial pH 5 (231 mg/L), thus was able to utilize sucrose (327 mg/L of GABA) for carbon sour...

Wild-cultivated medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum was morphologically identified and sequenced using phylogenetic software. In submerged-liquid fermentation (SLF), biomass, exopolysaccharide (EPS) and intracellular polysaccharide (IPS) production of the identified G. lucidum was optimised based on initial pH, starting glucose concentration and a...

Combustion in diesel engines release harmful gases leading to air pollution. Biodiesel, a mixture of petroleum-based and plant-derived hydrocarbon, is known for its potential to reduce harmful emissions in diesel engines. However, one of the main problems with biodiesel is high carbon deposition due to very long carbon chain content. Additives are...

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel known to produce more environmentally friendly emissions compared to diesel fuel. However, at times it has been reported as exhibiting a much lower engine performance compared to standard diesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel has the potential to achieve similar performance as compared to diesel fuel when the optimum percentage...

The aim of this study is to optimize the transesterification process for conversion of Hibiscus sabdariffa seed oils (HSO) into biodiesel. Conversion of HSO into biodiesel were obtained at optimum parameters of methanol to oil ratio 6:1, temperature 67.5ºC, 1% calcium oxide (CaO) catalyst derived from waste egg shells and agitation speed of 750 rpm...

Energy conservation among university students has become an increasingly important issue towards campus sustainability, climate action and environmental protection. However, the common short-termed approaches to promote energy conservation such as technology applications, tools and renewable energy require high capital investment. Therefore, for lo...