Analisis Mikro Struktur dan Gugus Fungsional Kompos dan Biochar Berbahan Limbah Padat Kelapa Sawit dan Pertumbuhannya Mikroorganismenya

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the microstructure, surface area functional groups, and microbial activity of compost and biochar derived from solid palm oil waste. The research was conducted at the Soil Chemistry and Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara; the Metal and Non-Metal Materials Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara; and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Laboratory, Serpong, South Tangerang, from January to June 2025. The experiment employed a non-factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with biomass type as the treatment factor and three replications. The treatments consisted of (K0) compost without EM4, (B0) biochar without EM4, (K1) compost with EM4, and (B1) biochar with EM4. The observed parameters included pH, morphology of compost and biochar (SEM), nutrient content (EDX), surface area (BET), functional groups (FTIR), and total microbial population (CFU/mL). The results showed that biochar derived from solid palm oil waste exhibited higher pH, denser surface morphology, greater nutrient content, and larger surface area compared to compost, while compost exhibited more diverse functional groups and a higher total microbial population.