Wonder fruit with many useful properties Potent: Tan holding the nut extracted from the “Millennium” or “X Fruit.” Published: Wednesday December 18, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM Updated: Wednesday December 18, 2013 MYT 9:16:10 AM BY SIMON KHOO KUANTAN: Green innovative products which can help to address climate change is the way forward as far as Kuantan-based businessman Datuk Seri Tan Hoe Beng is concerned. Tan said after 10 years of intensive research and development by his team of researchers, his company - ZCM Green Innovation Sdn Bhd - have come up with 10 such products. Top on the list is what he called the “Millennium” or “X Fruit” due to its shape. Other products include those for usage in the agriculture sector, for energy and water conservation, cars and households. “I will be allocating another RM100mil to devise at least 10 additional products over the next 10 years. “The first batch of 10 green products which have been developed successfully will be marketed and go into full-scale production by next year,” he said in an interview. Small wonder: The nut and oil extracted from the “Millennium” or “X Fruit.” Tan, who had carved a name for himself in the mining industry under its parent company Zhong Cheng Mining, said he decided to diversify from his core business by setting up several subsidiary firms. He said he was still actively involved in mining but would start focusing on green and innovative products from next year. “If we look around the world, there are four major crisis gravely affecting the people namely energy, food, water and environment. “There is huge potential for the country if we can come up with green and innovative products to address these concerns,” he said. Citing the “Millennium Fruit” as an example, Tan said it was a new hybrid biofuel plant which produces oil to meet market demand for low carbon, high yields, early maturity and a clean source of energy. He said early indications showed the plant could produce 50 tonnes of fruit or 33,000 litres of oil per acre per year. Wonder fruit: The nut of the “Millennium” has many uses. “Like palm oil, the Millennium Fruit has aromatic qualities for the production of essential oils for skin care and cosmetics. “It is also an edible oil with high levels of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, aroma and poly aroma compounds, vitamins and proteins as well as hydrocarbons,” he said, adding that tests carried out by the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore revealed that it did not contain inorganic components and phosphorus, making it favourable to be used as a bio fuel. Tan said further tests showed the nut at the heart of the fruit could be set alight and will burn for several minutes, enabling it to be used as a substitute for charcoal during barbeque. He said its leaves and tree trunks could also be made into fertilisers due to its high fibre content. “We have submitted a formal application under the Plant Varieties Act for 25 years intellectual property rights protection. “In addition, talks will be held with the state governments of Pahang, Johor, Kedah and Kelantan for mass cultivation and contract farming of the plant,” he said. Tan said the company had targeted 100,000 acres of cultivation in the four states from next year before expanding to other states. He said a trial stage at several nurseries in Johor yielded fruits within one year of planting under optimal conditions. “We are very excited to share this success story with huge potential for export and bringing in foreign exchange to the country.“We can anticipate a high market demand for the fruits which in turn, create jobs opportunities, economic benefits and infrastructure developments,” he said.Tan said based on a cultivation area of 500,000ha, estimated market value per year was RM150bil with oil output totalling 30 million metric tonnes.On the other products such as fuel and car engine booster, wiper and leather protector, water purifier and mosquito preventing device, he said it had been marketed in countries such as Singapore, Africa and the Asia Pacific region.He said another much sought-after product - soil enhancer - had been tested in the Phillipines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Cameron Highlands.“In farms using this product and planted with corn, banana, chili pepper, egg plant, fruits and vegetables saw a faster growing rate and larger yields than in farms without this treatment. “It is all well-documented with photographic evidence and farm owners testimony,” he said, adding that food shortage could be addressed with the usage of the product.Tan said plans were in the pipeline to plant fruit trees in three plots of land in Teluk Chempedak, Gambang and Bukit Pelindung using good farming practice without harmful chemicals or pesticides to showcase its successes to the people. thestar.my/Business/SME/2013/12/18/Millennium-Fruit-or-X-Fruit-is-a-new-hybrid-biofuel-plant-which-produces-oil-to-meet-market-demand/
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 06:05:09 +0000