Lignin Degradation of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches using TiO2 Photocatalyst as Antifungal of Fusarium Oxysporum

This study aims to obtain phenolic lignin derived compounds through the lignin degradation of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) using TiO2 photocatalyst and its antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum. The lignin degradation of OPEFB begins with the extraction and isolation stage using the soxhletation method with the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. The success of this stage is indicated by Gas Chromatography (GC) measurement of 4-vinylguaiacol and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy measurement that indicated the appearance of seven specific peak of lignin occurring at wave numbers 3421 cm(-1), 2929 cm(-1), 1596 cm(-1), 1508 cm(-1), 1462 cm(-1), 1041 cm(-1), and 875 cm(-1). This result is supported by the appearance of specific peaks of guaiacyl and syringyl groups at wave numbers 1328 cm(-1) and 1220 cm(-1). Based on the variation of the degradation time, the lignin degradation of OPEFB with a degradation time of 15 min. showed optimum results in the production of lignin derived compounds. In addition, it also provides a strong inhibitory response to the growth of Fusarium oxysporum with a clear zone diameter 2.39 cm.