In this study, lignin has been extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers via an organosolv process. The organosolv lignin obtained was defined by the presence of hydroxyl-containing molecules, such as guaiacyl and syringyl, and by the presence of phenolic molecules in lignin. Subsequently, the extracted organosolv lignin and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were utilized as filler and reinforcement in photo-curable polyurethane (PU), which is used in stereolithography 3D printing. The compatibility as well as the characteristic and structural changes of the composite were identified through the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed composites. Furthermore, the tensile strength of the composited lignin and graphene shows significant improvement as high as 27%. The hardness of the photo-curable PU composites measured by nanoindentation exhibited an enormous improvement for 0.6% of lignin-graphene at 92.49 MPa with 238% increment when compared with unmodified PU.

The recognition of nanocellulose has been prominent in recent years as prospect materials, yet the ineffectiveness of nanocellulose to disperse in an organic solvent has restricted its utilization, especially as a reinforcement in polymer nanocomposite. In this study, cellulose has been isolated and defibrillated as cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers. Subsequently, to enhance its compatibility with UV-curable polyurethane (PU)-based resin, the surface hydrophilicity of CNF has been tailored with polyethylene glycol (PEG), as well as reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The dispersibility of reinforced modified CNF in UV-curable PU was examined through the transmittance interruption of resin, chemical, and mechanical properties of the composite printed using the stereolithographic technique. Evidently, the enhanced compatibility of modified CNF and UV-curable PU was shown to improve the tensile strength and hardness of the composites by 37% and 129%, respectively.

The roots, twigs and stems of Salvadora persica (S. persica) also known as miswak have been used for centuries as oral hygiene tools. The cleansing efficacy of S. persica is thought to be attributed to the mechanical effects of its fibres. However, there is no study focus on S. persica whitening behaviour. Therefore, this study is conducted to preliminarily assess the whitening effects of S. persica on coffee and tea stained teeth. The bark of S. persica stems were peeled off and the pulps were dried and ground to produce powder. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were carried out to study the properties of S. persica fibre. SEM revealed the presence of crystals of various shapes and sizes that act as natural abrasive agents and might contribute to its whitening effects while EDX identified that these minerals constitute of O (43.44 wt%), C (31.2 wt%), S (11.7 wt%), Ca (11.2 wt%), Na (1.3 wt%) and K (1.04 wt%). The powder later formulated into paste of various concentrations; 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5% (w/w). Extracted permanent premolar teeth were cleaned and stained with tea and coffee solutions. Formulations of S. persica fiber paste were then used to brush the teeth and being compared to commercial whitening toothpaste. The teeth shade changes were evaluated using VITAPAN® Classical Shade. After brushing under standardized condition using a brushing simulator machine, it was found that the staining of teeth buccal surface was reduced at least one tone of shade according to the VitaPan® shade.