LAPSE:2020.0442
Published Article
LAPSE:2020.0442
Monitoring of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Composting Process: Relationship between Microorganisms and Physico-Chemical Parameters
Cristina Ghinea, Ana Leahu
May 18, 2020
The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the composting potential of fruit and vegetable waste with sawdust in different combinations and to establish the relationship between microorganisms and physico-chemical parameters. Three samples were made with the C/N ratios of 50 (sample 1), 45 (sample 2), and 30 (sample 3) by adding fruit waste (apple, banana, orange, and kiwi peels) and vegetable waste (cabbage leaves, potato and carrot peels). The total amount of fruit and vegetable waste was approximately 2 kg in each sample to which different quantities of sawdust were added (1.23, 0.14, and 0.203 kg) in order to obtain the C/N ratios proposed and to limit the odor. Composting process was monitored over 70 days, while physico-chemical and microbiological analyses were performed. Results showed that in the first week pH is acidic and electrical conductivity values are high for all three samples, and then the pH values increase during the composting process, while electrical conductivity values decrease. The nitrogen content is low in all samples and will decrease during the first five weeks of the composting process, then begin to increase slightly. Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn values in the all three compost samples are below threshold values. During the composing process the microbial communities are constantly changing. The compost was successfully obtained and meets the requirement standards for agricultural use. It can be concluded that there is statistically significant association between the microorganisms and physico-chemical indicators.
Keywords
aerobic process, food waste, heavy metals, microorganisms, nitrogen content
Subject
Suggested Citation
Ghinea C, Leahu A. Monitoring of Fruit and Vegetable Waste Composting Process: Relationship between Microorganisms and Physico-Chemical Parameters. (2020). LAPSE:2020.0442
Author Affiliations
Ghinea C: Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Faculty of Food Engineering, 13 Universitatii Street, 720229 Suceava, Romania [ORCID]
Leahu A: Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Faculty of Food Engineering, 13 Universitatii Street, 720229 Suceava, Romania
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
8
Issue
3
Article Number
E302
Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-03-05
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: pr8030302, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2020.0442
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doi:10.3390/pr8030302
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May 18, 2020
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CC BY 4.0
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May 18, 2020
 
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Original Submitter
Calvin Tsay
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