Pineapple Mushroom Medium UMP research output launched

SERDANG, 8 August 2022 - The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) recently launched an innovation based on pineapple waste produced in collaboration with UMP research led by Associate Professor Dr. Aizi Nor Mazila Ramli in conjunction with the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) from 4 to 14 August 2022.

The launch was completed by the Senior Secretary (Management) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI), Habshah Ali, representing the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Yang Berhormat Datuk Dr. Nik Muhammad Zawawi Haji Salleh.

Also present were the Director General of LPNM, Mohd. Khairuzamri Salleh and the UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli.

The study also involves two entrepreneurs, Noor Saiful Amri Suloh from Saifulam Agro Farm located in Pontian, Johor and Ahmad Mokhtar Daud from Mushroom Resources Sdn. Bhd. located in Pekan, Pahang.

According to Habshah, who read the text of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, the management of agricultural waste is among the important agendas under the government through MAFI involving environmental considerations, the concept of agricultural waste management and others.

“The increase in pineapple plant waste and its potential is in line with the current status of the pineapple industry.

“The country’s pineapple industry, which is now growing rapidly, especially in the fresh fruit production sector, will have an impact on the management of pineapple plant waste.

“In 2021, the national pineapple plant area is 16,200 hectares with a total production of 525,000 metric tons.

“While the production value is RM700 million,” she said.

Meanwhile, LPNM will strengthen the pineapple downstream segment which includes food and non-food products.

Non-food products such as pineapple fibre yarn, pineapple paper, livestock food products, plant medium, textile and handicraft products, cosmetics, composites and many others have considerable potential to be developed.

The production of these products can provide added value to the industry and generate lucrative returns for pineapple entrepreneurs.

The estimated pineapple waste generated per acre of pineapple plant area with 17,000 trees is 51 tons with a count of 3 kg of waste per pineapple plant.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Aizi said that this pineapple mushroom medium has 60 per cent dry pineapple waste content, or pinapeat, which has the same function as the conventional mushroom medium of rubber wood dust.

“This study found that the dry pineapple waste or pinapeat is suitable as a mushroom growing medium and as an alternative to the existing conventional mushroom medium,” she said.

In addition, the LPNM will continue to intensify its study of the use of pinapeat as another crop medium such as the cultivation of several types of crops in polybags and a medium for fertigation.