Current status of cow dung as a bioresource for sustainable development

Abstract

Cow dung, an excreta of bovine animal, is a cheap and easily available bioresource on our planet. Many traditional uses of cow dung such as burning as fuel, mosquito repellent and as cleansing agent are already known in India. Cow dung harbours a diverse group of microorganisms that may be beneficial to humans due to their ability to produce a range of metabolites. Along with the production of novel chemicals, many cow dung microorganisms have shown natural ability to increase soil fertility through phosphate solubilisation. Nowadays, there is an increasing research interest in developing the applications of cow dung microorganisms for biofuel production and management of environmental pollutants. This review focuses on recent findings being made on cow dung that could be harnessed for usage in different areas such as medicine, agriculture and industry.

Microbiological investigation and determination of the antimicrobial potential of cow dung samples

“…Cow dung is the excreted undigested residue of consumed food material of herbivorous bovine animal species mixed of feces and urine in the ratio of 3:1 and mainly consists of lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses (1). A total of 24 different minerals such as nitrogen, potassium, along with trace amount of sulfur, iron, magnesium, copper, cobalt and manganese are found in cow dung (2,3).…”

Potential of Livestock Generated Biomass: Untapped Energy Source in India

“…The electrical energy content of typical biogas is 5-7 kWh/m 3 of biogas produced if a standard biogas yield of 0.04 m 3 /kg is recoverable [43,44]. Methane gas generated by this methodology has traditionally been used as fuel for lighting and other electricity-dependent machines [45]. Current research reveals that 1 kg of cow-dung mixed with an equal quantity of water, and with a total hydration retention time of 55-60 days, when maintained at ambient temperature of 24-26 • C and yields 35-40 liters of biogas [45].…”

“…Methane gas generated by this methodology has traditionally been used as fuel for lighting and other electricity-dependent machines [45]. Current research reveals that 1 kg of cow-dung mixed with an equal quantity of water, and with a total hydration retention time of 55-60 days, when maintained at ambient temperature of 24-26 • C and yields 35-40 liters of biogas [45]. As compared to other renewable energy generation raw materials, livestock dung is a better alternative as it is economical, requires less capital investment, and has the least per unit cost of Energies 2017, 10, 847 6 of 15 production [46,47].…”

Thraustochytrids as an alternative source of omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids and enzymes

“…Lignocellulose biomass derived from rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, corn stover, and corncob have been investigated for microbial lipid production. A recent study by Gupta et al [6], [7], demonstrated the use of enzyme saccharified hemp hydrolysate as a sole carbon source for production of omega-3 fatty acids from a novel Schizochytrium sp. DT3.…”