Effect of Organic Matter on Pathogen Population During Composting of Municipal Sludge

Abstract

Population growth in Malaysia is expected to increase rapidly. Every sector of industry is expected to have a revolution including in agriculture sector. The utilization of organic fertilizer in agriculture as a green movement is to replace the chemical fertilizer subsequently, reduce the municipal sludge waste. Hence enhancing the growth and supply of nutrient to plant. However, the pathogenic growth in the final product is the greatest concerns. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the pathogen population in the compost of municipal sludge mixed with landscape waste for 90 days. The pathogen dynamic and its correlation with organic matter in 3 different ratios were analysed and recorded. The result showed that the pathogenic trends was uniformly increased at the early stage of composting and decreased gradually after reached the peak. R4 which comprises of equal ratio between municipal sludge and seed compost showed positive correlation with organic matter. R3 and R4 showed better removal of pathogen at maturity stage. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella were failed to comply with the standard for R3 and only Salmonella failed for R4. This study supports the achievement of the Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) as an alternative way to combat the environmental issue by leveraging the usage of the waste produced for the purpose of the waste reduction and sustain the environment.

Assessment of bacteria and fungi in food waste compost using hybrid dehydrated food waste associated with Effective Microorganisms (EM)

“…Following 15 minutes at 150 rpm, the solution underwent a process of filtration to eliminate any residual impurities or solid particulates present within the solution. This filtration procedure involved the utilization of a sieve with a mesh size of 63 μm [7]. Each filtrate was recorded for pH.…”

Food waste type and moisture content influence on the Hermetia illucens (L.), (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larval Development and Survival

“…Beside the illegal dumping and open dumping, landfills sites in Malaysia also in dire state as most of the landfills in this country are still struggling to comply as sanitary landfills [4]. Other alternative such as composting [5][6] will take up to 2-4 weeks for maturation of the compost, while incineration on the other hand are expensive to maintain and operate [7].…”

Development of a small scale BSF rearing system and firsthand experience of the process and its lifecycle

“…Landfilling could also produce leachate which can contaminate the groundwater at the landfill site as most of the landfills in this country are not sanitary landfills [4]. Other alternative such as composting [5], [6] will take up to 2-4 weeks for maturation of the compost, while incineration on the other hand are expensive to maintain and operate [7]. Therefore, the utilization of insect 1019 (2022) 012033 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1019/1/012033 2 bioconversion such as black soldier fly larvae is seen as a sustainable way of reducing food waste environmentally and economically in Malaysia.…”