EFFECT OF GAMMA-IRRADIATION ON ENZYMATIC DIGESTION OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH

Effect of gamma-irradiation and combination treatment with alkali on o il palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) was studied to enhance the efficiency of enzymatic digestibility. gamma-Irradiation enhanced the enzymatic d igestibility, and the amounts of released galacturonic acid and neutra l sugars from EFB by Driselase were increased with an increase in irra diation dose. The main components of neutral sugars released from EFB were glucose and xylose. EFB treated with alkali and 50 kGy irradiatio n released 1200 mu g g(-1) of xylose that was twice amount of glucose showing that the combination treatment was effective especially to inc rease the digestibility of xylan.