This study investigated durian (Durio zibethinus) peels to produce powdered activated carbon (DPAC). The influence of process variables such as carbonization temperature, activation time, contact time, CO2 flow rate, and adsorption dosage was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). A six-factor and two levels Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to optimize the parameters. The independent variables were activation temperature (°C), duration (min), CO2 flow rate during the activation process (L/min), irradiation of adsorbent (kGy), irradiation duration (min), and adsorbent dosage (g) while phenol removal (mg/L) was the dependent variable (response). Following the observed correlation coefficient values, the design was fitted to a quadratic model (R2 = 0.9896). The optimal removal efficiency (97.25%) was observed at an activation temperature of 900 °C, activation time of 30 min, CO2 flow rate of 0.05 L/min, irradiation dose of 100 kGy, contact time of 35 min and adsorption dosage of 0.75 g. The optimal DPAC showed a BET surface of 281.33 m2/ g. The removal efficiency was later compared with a commercially available activated carbon which shows a 98.56% phenol removal. The results show that the durian peel could be an effective precursor for making activated carbon for phenol removal, and irradiation can significantly enhance surface activation.

The purpose of this study was to examined the antioxidant activities by water and 70% ethanol extract from durian (Durio zibethinus.) seed, sarcocarp and peel. Durian extract were studied for reducing sugar content, polyphenol content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) like activity, electron donating ability, nitrite scavenging ability, flavonoid content, hydroxy radical scavenging activity. Reducing sugar content were increased peel 〉 sarcocarp 〉 seed. Total polyphenol, flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging ability and SOD like activity were increased seed 〉 peel 〉 sarcocarp. Total polyphenol content was relatively high as 21.90±0.50mg/g in the ethanol extract of the seed. DPPH radical scavenging ability was relatively high as 62.08±2.63% in the water extract of the seed. Nitrite scavenging ability was no significant difference. Hydroxy radical scavenging activity was increased seed 〉 peel 〉 sarcocarp, was relatively high as 58.27±1.13% in the water extract of the seed.