Valorization of Orange Peel Waste Using Precomposting and Vermicomposting Processes

Abstract

The industrialization process of oranges generates waste, which is inadequately disposed of; this produces adverse effects on the environment. Among the alternatives for valorization is the vermicomposting process, which consists of the degradation of organic waste through the action of earthworms and microorganisms. Therefore, this research aimed to study this process using orange peel (OP) waste at the laboratory level. For this purpose, it was necessary to determine the degradation conditions through the monitoring of physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, humidity, organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio). To balance the substrate’s nutrients, load material (LM) that included vegetable waste and eggshells was added to three different mixtures: M1 (50% OP + 50% LM), M2 (40% OP + 60% LM) and M3 (60% OP + 40% LM). To condition the substrate for earthworm (Eisenia fetida) activity, a previous precomposting process was performed. The results showed that all the mixtures fulfilled the requirements for a quality and mature vermicompost; however, the highest concentrations for TN were in the mixtures M1 and M2. The total time required for degradation of the OP waste was 13 weeks.

Sustainable Production of Stiff and Crystalline Bacterial Cellulose from Orange Peel Extract

“…Fruit wastes, i.e., oranges, grapefruits and bananas, are used as natural carbon sources [18,19]. Currently, citrus waste is used for the production of different value-added products such as citric acid, bioethanol, biosurfactants and cellulose [20,21].…”

Valorization of Agro-Industrial Orange Peel By-Products through Fermentation Strategies

“…Orange peel by-products constitute approximately 50-60% of the weight of the processed fruit and are made of peels, tissue and the remaining portion of seeds (Figure 1). This significant fraction contains water (75-85%), simple sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose, 6-8%) and polysaccharides (pectin, cellulose and hemicellulose, 1.53%) [11]. This composition makes microbial transformations, such as the production of microbial molecules, bioethanol, biogas or biomolecules, feasible.…”

Las ciencias biológicas y la construcción de nuevos paradigmas de conocimiento 2

“…toneladas al año (INEGI, 2018). La alta producción de la naranja conlleva a la pérdida de un porcentaje del producto, debido a que cae al suelo y ya no es seleccionado para su venta, provocando la contaminación del suelo debido a que el residuo tiene un pH ácido (De Medina et al, 2020).…”