BRIN develops palm oil waste into Inacell, an environmentally friendly material

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing Inacell, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) product derived from palm oil industry solid waste, specifically empty fruit bunches.

‘MCC is a product of controlled cellulose hydrolysis that is widely used in industry sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and coating materials,’ said Holilah, a Senior Researcher at BRIN’s Biomass and Bioproduction Research Centre (PRBB). The statement was released in Jakarta on Friday.

Holilah explained that this innovation not only tackles waste issues but also offers substantially higher economic value for the national palm oil industry. The choice of empty palm fruit bunches as feedstock is based on their sustainable availability and their potential as a lignocellulosic feedstock that has not been optimised thus far.

‘From the research conducted, after processing waste into cellulose, we can produce cellulose content of up to 65.21 percent. The main method used is to remove lignin and produce pure MCC, with the final lignin content only around one percent,’ he said.

In the pharmaceutical field, MCC is used as a disintegrating tablet excipient in the intestine, can be combined with bioactive compounds, and is safe because it originates from plants.

In the food sector, Holilah explained that MCC functions as a texturising agent that can increase bread volume and as a stabilising and thickening agent in sauce production. MCC also plays a role in long-term product integrity by controlling moisture content, thus extending the shelf life of food products.

In cosmetics, MCC acts as a texturising, bulking, and stabilising agent in creams, pressed powders, foundations, and also serves as oil control.

Head of PRBB BRIN Akbar Hanif Dawam stated that they are committed to delivering research with real impact. ‘Innovations like Inacell are expected to support domestic self-sufficiency, not only in the pharmaceutical and health sectors but also in various other industries,’ Akbar Hanif Dawam said.