Palm oil production plays a significant role in meeting the global demand for oils and fats and can boost a country’s economic growth (Parveez et al., 2023). However, it also generates a substantial volume of waste, particularly liquid waste known as palm oil mill effluent (POME). Producing one tonne of crude palm oil from fresh fruit bunches (FFB) requires 5.0-7.5 m3 of water, with more than half of this water becoming POME (Aljuboori et al., 2014). POME is a thick, brownish liquid with a strong odour, composed of 96% water, 0.7% oil and 4% suspended solids. It contains carotene, pectin, tannin, phenol, and lignin, which give it its distinctive colour. With high levels of oil, grease, solid materials, and elevated biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), POME negatively impacts soil and water resources, harming all aquatic plants and animals (Kamyab et al., 2018; Nahrul Hayawin et al., 2022). The discharge of POME into water sources causes pollution issues like eutrophication and reduces sunlight penetration, which limits photosynthesis for aquatic plants. This pollution directly threatens aquatic organisms in water bodies. In response, the Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia has proposed stringent regulations for treating POME before its final discharge into land or watercourses.