Optimization of Eisenia fetida stocking density for the bioconversion of rock phosphate enriched cow dung–waste paper mixtures

Unuofin, Frank Oshioname; Mnkeni, P. N. S.

doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2014.05.018

Cited by 53 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…However, in the final vermiproducts, humic acid-like fraction were close-grained, lumpy and possesses water permeability and ventilation for soil application. Unuofin and Mnkeni (2014) confirmed the extent of humification using SEM analysis in the vermicomposts of cow dung-waste paper mixtures. The well-humified products and fine grain textures were more produced by the worm stocking densities of 12.5 g worms per kilogram.…”

Section: Relevance and Use Of Sophisticated Techniques (Sem Ft-ir Tsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…Further disaggregation by enzymes and microflora act on the substrate occurs during the passage in the gut of the earthworm (Edwards and Bohlen 1996). Various researchers have used SEM technique to observe the changes in surface morphology of pre-and post-vermicomposted organic wastes (Ravindran et al 2008;Ravindran and Sekaran 2010;Zhao et al 2010;Li et al 2011;Unuofin and Mnkeni 2014;Lim et al 2014Kumar et al 2014;Rajpal et al 2014;Bhat et al 2014Bhat et al , 2015aWu 2015, 2016;Hussain et al 2016a). Ravindran et al (2008) recorded SEM to know the changes in surface morphology (texture) in the control and final vermicomposted mixtures of a solid waste (animal fleshing) produced from leather industry.…”

Section: Relevance and Use Of Sophisticated Techniques (Sem Ft-ir Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Instrumental characterization of organic wastes for evaluation of vermicompost maturity

Bhat

Singh

2017

J Anal Sci Technol

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Instrumental analysis of vermicompost with the help of modern technologies provides essential information on its maturity, before it can be used for agricultural application. Nowadays, vermicompost is considered as a promising organic alternative to chemical fertilizers in agriculture and horticulture. The objectives of this review are to summarize the sophisticated instrumental techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy techniques, physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content, C:N ratio, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium) and biological indicator (germination index) to determine the maturity of vermicompost produced from organic wastes. These techniques are reliable, fast and are capable of tracking organic waste degradation during the bioconversion process and fertilizing ability of the final product. SEM analysis provides essential information on surface morphology of vermicompost samples. The SEM micrograph of final vermicompost reveals disaggregation. In contrast, the initial SEM micrograph reflects robust and relatively contiguous structures. FT-IR spectroscopy technique is used to confirm the decomposition of polypeptides, polysaccharides, aliphatic, aromatic, carboxylic, phenolic groups and lignin during vermicomposting of organic wastes. TG method is used to characterize organic waste mineralization where progressive reduction in the mass loss of vermicompost indicates net mineralization and degradation. UV-vis spectroscopy is used to assess the degree of humification. The sharp fall in humification index during vermicomposting process indicates high level of organic material humification. Changes in physico-chemical and biological parameters are also an indicative parameter for organic waste mineralization as well as vermicompost stability and maturity.

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Section: Relevance and Use Of Sophisticated Techniques (Sem Ft-ir Tsupporting

confidence: 56%

Section: Relevance and Use Of Sophisticated Techniques (Sem Ft-ir Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Instrumental characterization of organic wastes for evaluation of vermicompost maturity

Bhat

Singh

2017

J Anal Sci Technol

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“…The resultant mixtures were loaded into worm boxes whose capacity measured 0.50 m × 0.40 m × 0.30 m (length × width × depth) with an exposed top surface area of 0.2 m 2 in a well-ventilated farm building at an average mean ambient temperature of about 25 °C. Mature E. fetida earthworms were introduced into the vermin-reactors at a stocking density of 12.5 g worms kg −1 feed established by (Unuofin and Mnkeni 2014) as optimum for the bio-conversion of cow-dung paper-waste mixtures. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized experimental design (CRD) with three replications.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Phytoxicity was determined, as described by (Unuofin and Mnkeni 2014). Briefly, two pieces of Whatman ® filter paper were placed inside a sterilized petri dish and dampened with the vermicompost extracts.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing rock phosphate integration rate for fast bio-transformation of cow-dung waste-paper mixtures to organic fertilizer

2016

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Rock phosphate (RP) addition in cow-dung waste-paper mixtures at rates above 2% P has been reported to increase the rate of bio-transformation and humification of organic waste mixtures during vermicomposting to produce organic fertilizer for organic farming. However, the optimization of RP for vermicomposting was not established. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal amount of RP integration rates for effective bio-transformation of cow-dung waste-paper mixtures. Arrays of RP integration degrees (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4% P as RP) were thoroughly mixed with cow- dung waste-paper mixtures to achieve an optimized C:N ratio of 30 and allowed to vermidegrade following the introduction of earthworms at a stocking mass of 12.5 g-worms kg−1. The bio-transformation of the waste mixtures was examined by measuring C:N ratios and humification index (HI) and per cent ash and volatile solids. Application of 1% P as RP resulted in fast bio-transformation and maturation of cow-dung waste-paper mixtures. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the morphological properties of the different vermicomposts affected by rates of RP showing the degree of degradation of initial compacted aggregates of cellulose and protein fibres in the mixtures at maturity. A germination test was used to further determine phytotoxicity of the final composts and microbial biomass assessment. The final vermicompost (organic fertilizer) had a C:N ratio of 7, MBC of 900 mg kg−1 and HI of 27.1%. The RP incorporation rate of 1% P of RP investigated is therefore, recommended for efficient vermidegradation and humification of cow-dung waste-paper mixtures. However, higher rates of RP incorporation should be considered where greater P enrichment of the final vermicompost (organic fertilizer) is desired.

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“…Cow dung is mostly used as a bulking agent to grow earthworms because of its ease of handling (Taeporamaysamai, & Ratanatamskul, 2016). Cow dung is mixed with paper waste to attain an approximate C:N ratio of 30 and then mixed with 2% phosphorus in the form of rock phosphorus to improve the degradation process (Unuofin & Mnkeni, 2014).…”

Section: Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vermicomposting: A sustainable tool for environmental equilibria

Singh

2017

Environmental Quality Mgmt

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Improperly managed organic waste constitutes a serious environment threat across the globe. This has led to a worldwide struggle to strike a balance between the rapid generation of such wastes and protection of the environment. With the unique advantages of lower operational and maintenance costs compared with other waste management technologies, the use of vermicomposting to manage organic wastes has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Still, some factors (e.g., characteristics of substrate composition before and after treatment) are in need of additional, specific studies so that researchers can better understand the metabolism involved in the process. Vermicomposting provides employment opportunities as it protects the environment, augmenting crop productivity when it is used as a fertilizer supplement and helping to maintain ecological balance. Thus, vermicompost plays an important role in the circular economy. This article provides an overview of the research activities that have been conducted on the use of vermicomposts to remove pollutants from the soil, in wastewater treatment, and in organic waste recycling throughout the world. Circular economic assessment has revealed that vermicomposting technology is usually feasible except in certain cases. Most other methods of waste disposal lead to soil deterioration, toxic effects, and increased pollution affecting land, air, water, and living beings, in addition to the sometimes considerable expense of their implementation. Thus, an eco‐friendly method that removes waste in one step is needed. Determining the long‐term performance and sustainable operation of vermicomposting systems still poses a challenge, however, as treatment performance is affected by design parameters, operational conditions, and environmental factors. This article summarizes the factors influencing pollutant removal through the vermicomposting process. Finally, this article highlights additional research that should be conducted on these issues to improve the performance of vermicomposting.

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Optimization of Eisenia fetida stocking density for the bioconversion of rock phosphate enriched cow dung–waste paper mixtures

Cited by 53 publications

References 26 publications

Instrumental characterization of organic wastes for evaluation of vermicompost maturity

Instrumental characterization of organic wastes for evaluation of vermicompost maturity

Enhancing rock phosphate integration rate for fast bio-transformation of cow-dung waste-paper mixtures to organic fertilizer

Vermicomposting: A sustainable tool for environmental equilibria

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