Methane Biogas Production in Malaysia: Challenge and Future Plan

Table 3

Advantages and limitations of producing biomethane from different types of agricultural waste.

Type of agricultural waste	Advantages	Limitation	Reference
Cocoa	The cocoa pods and cocoa leaves contain carbon, nitrogen, protein, fat, and crude fiber which is needed by anaerobic digestion.	The carbon to nitrogen ratio may affect the production of the biomethane due to the carbon to nitrogen ratio which will inhibit the microbial activity in the degradation process.	[29]
Rice	The rice husk has low water content which can be used to produce a high level of biomethane by using solid state anaerobic digestion (SSAD).	Rice husk consists of a high amount of lignocellulosic content which is difficult to be degraded by microbes. Thus, rice husk must be treated before it is used to produce biomethane.	[27]
Coconut	The price of coconut waste is cheaper and can be obtained easily throughout the year.	The production of biomethane from the untreated coconut waste is low due to the coir pith of having a huge quantity of lignin, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solid which is difficult for microbes to undergo degradation.	[30]