Design, Utilization, Biosecurity, Environmental and Economic Considerations of Carcass Composting

Kalbasi, Ahmad; Mukhtar, Saqib; Hawkins, S. E.; Auvermann, Brent W.

doi:10.1080/1065657x.2006.10702270

Cited by 13 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Composting has been shown to inactivate a variety of pathogens (12,24), an outcome that has been attributed to both the thermal and chemical conditions within the compost matrix (13,30). Composting typically results in temperatures exceeding 60°C and pH values that are greater than 8.0 (12,30,31).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Viability of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thuringiensis Spores as a Model for Predicting the Fate of Bacillus anthracis Spores during Composting of Dead Livestock

Reuter

Alexander

McAllister

2011

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Safe disposal of dead livestock and contaminated manure is essential for the effective control of infectious disease outbreaks. Composting has been shown to be an effective method of disposal, but no information exists on its ability to contain diseases caused by spore-forming bacteria, such as Bacillus anthracis. Duplicate composters (east and west), each containing 16 dead cattle, were constructed (final capacity, 85,000 kg). Spores (10 7 CFU/g manure) of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thuringiensis were mixed with autoclaved feedlot manure and placed in either sterile vials or porous nylon bags. Compost temperatures in the west composter were slightly higher than in the east composter. Viable B. thuringiensis spores were reduced to <10 2 CFU in all samples after 112 days but were isolated from bags (west composter) at <10 2 and at 10 5 CFU (east composter) after 230 days. In contrast, B. licheniformis was at <10 2 CFU in vials (west composter) after 112 days but remained at 10 6 CFU after 230 days (east composter). Similarly, B. licheniformis in bags was not detected after 230 days in the west composter but remained at 10 7 CFU in the east composter. Our study suggests that spore viability was reduced in the west composter by exposure to compost and elevated temperatures over time. Different temperature profiles may explain why spores remained viable in the east structure but were largely rendered nonviable in the west structure. Under practical conditions, variation in composting microclimates may preclude the complete inactivation of Bacillus spores, including those of B. anthracis, during composting. However, composting may still have merit as a method of biocontainment, reducing and diluting the transfer of infectious spores into the environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Composting typically results in temperatures exceeding 60°C and pH values that are greater than 8.0 (12,30,31). Furthermore, compost-adapted microbes may produce antimicrobials (e.g., bacteriocins, hydrogen peroxide, and acids) with biocidal activity against pathogens (10,12).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Viability of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thuringiensis Spores as a Model for Predicting the Fate of Bacillus anthracis Spores during Composting of Dead Livestock

Reuter

Alexander

McAllister

2011

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Considerable research has demonstrated that a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites are inactivated during composting (Kalbasi et al, 2006; Wilkinson, 2007). Larney et al (2003) found more than 99.9% of total coliforms and E. coli were killed in cattle manure after 7 d of windrow composting.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Biosecure Composting System for Disposal of Cattle Carcasses and Manure Following Infectious Disease Outbreak

Reuter

Inglis

et al. 2009

J of Env Quality

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During outbreaks of infectious animal diseases, composting may be an effective method of disposing of mortalities and potentially contaminated manure. Duplicate biosecure structures containing 16 cattle (Bos taurus) mortalities (343 kg average weight) were constructed with carcasses placed on a 40-cm straw layer and overlaid with 160 cm of feedlot manure. At a depth of 80 cm (P80), compost heated rapidly, exceeding 55 degrees C after 8 d and maintained temperatures of 55 to 65 degrees C for > 35 d. Temperatures at 160 cm (P160) failed to exceed 55 degrees C, but remained above 40 degrees C for >4 mo. To investigate rates of microbial inactivation, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were inoculated in manure (E. coli O157:H7 and C. jejuni approximately 10(8) CFU g(-1); NDV, approximately 10(6) EID(50) g(-1)), embedded at P80 and P160 and retrieved at intervals during composting. Escherichia coli O157:H7 and NDV were undetectable after 7 d at both depths. The C. jejuni DNA was detected up to 84 d at P80 and >147 d at P160. To estimate degradation of recalcitrant substrates, bovine brain, hoof, and rib bones were also embedded at P80 and P160 and retrieved at intervals. Residues of soft tissues remained in carcasses after opening at 147 d and bovine tissue decomposition ranked as brain > hoof > bone. More than 90% dry matter (DM) of brain disappeared after 7 d and 80% DM of hoof decomposed after 56 d. High degradation of cattle carcasses, rapid suppression of E. coli O157:H7 and NDV and reduction in viable cell densities of >6 logs for C. jejuni demonstrates that the biosecure composting system can dispose of cattle carcasses and manure in an infectious disease outbreak.

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“…Cooperative Extension, 14,15 and the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center at Kansas State University 2 and by the Alberta Provincial government. 11 These groups have provided reviews and databases of resources that describe the economic, environmental, and technical aspects of on-farm composting, including the composting of carcasses.…”

Section: Bsementioning

confidence: 99%

“…25 The design of carcass composting systems must address 4 major safety and acceptance issues: protection of ground and surface water, minimization of the risk of spreading disease, prevention of nuisances from scavengers and insects, and maintenance of air quality. 4,15 Composting systems are divided into open and closed systems. 8 Open systems include windrows, static piles, and bins.…”

Section: Principles and Elements Of Compostingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methods and microbial risks associated with composting of animal carcasses in the United States

Berge¹,

Glanville²,

Millner³

et al. 2009

javma

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Design, Utilization, Biosecurity, Environmental and Economic Considerations of Carcass Composting

Cited by 13 publications

References 8 publications

Viability of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thuringiensis Spores as a Model for Predicting the Fate of Bacillus anthracis Spores during Composting of Dead Livestock

Viability of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thuringiensis Spores as a Model for Predicting the Fate of Bacillus anthracis Spores during Composting of Dead Livestock

A Biosecure Composting System for Disposal of Cattle Carcasses and Manure Following Infectious Disease Outbreak

Methods and microbial risks associated with composting of animal carcasses in the United States

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