Composting olive mill pomace and other residues from rural southeastern Spain

Abstract

The costly disposal of the semisolid residual pomace generated in the two phase extraction used in modern olive mills is causing serious problems to the small oil producers of rural southeastern Spain. Composting may be a viable alternative since complementary residues are usually available in these areas to prepare an adequate starting mixture. In this work, four different combinations of residues (pomace+rabbit manure, pomace+sheep manure, pomace+rabbit manure+rice straw, pomace+rabbit manure+almond shells) were composted in 3 ton piles aerated by turnings, using technology available to any small community of oil producers. During the four long processes (9-10 months), a steady decrease of organic matter and increases in the concentrations of nutrient and humic substances were observed, together with large increases in pH and salinity which may reduce the agronomic value of the final products.

Biological fungal treatment of olive cake for better utilization in ruminants nutrition in Egypt

“…Therefore, attempts have been made to improve the nutritive value of OC through different chemical agents, but results have been more or less satisfactory (Rowghani et al 2008). Apart from the chemicals, the biological treatment is drawing much attention due to its potential advantages over chemical/physical treatments such as greater substrate and reaction specificity, lower energy requirements, lower pollution generation and higher yields of desired products (Misra et al 2007;Canet et al 2008).…”

Minimizing Onsite Organic Household Left-Over Waste: The Emission Benefits of Keeping Pet Rabbits.

“…Similar pH limitations were observed by Li-li et al [52], who, using a mixture of rabbit manure, mushroom residue, and rice straw, observed that a more stabilized product, with a pH of 8, was produced. Furthermore, Canet et al [53] reported that a well stabilized product can be derived from the composting of different combinations of rabbit manure with olive mill pomace, rice straw, or almond shells, but they also found agronomical limitations due to high pH and salinity. Finally, Sobrinho et al [54] compared composting products derived from the manure of rabbits, mouse, Guinea pigs, and hamsters, which were mixed with cotton waste.…”

Biodegradation of olive-mill pomace mixed with organic fraction of municipal solid waste

“…Although physical and chemical properties of olivemill pomace are rather unsuitable for composting (very low porosity, high moisture and low contents of N and P), many complementary residues are usually generated in these areas, such as animal manures (source of N and P), olive leaves, cereal straws, almond shells or pruning wastes (bulking agents). The results of the study realized by Canet et al (2008) demonstrate the feasibility of composting olive-mill pomace and other organic residues from Mediterranean areas using simple and affordable techniques and long composting times. Elevated pH and salinity of the final products are the main disadvantages.…”