Effect of Rice Bran on the Quality of Vermicompost Produced From Food Waste Publisher

Summary: Research suggests food waste and rice bran can be turned into eco-friendly fertilizer via earthworms. #SustainableAgriculture #WasteRecycling

Pourzamani H^{1, 2} ; Ghavi M^{2, 3}
Source: International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering Published:2016

Abstract

Aims: The present study was carried out to evaluate the production of ecofriendly and environmentally bio-fertilizer from a mixture of food waste (FW) and rice bran (RB). Materials and Methods: The various mixtures of RB and FW (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:5) were prepared and spread in Diy beds for 20 days. After that, the raw compost was poured in four containers beds contains 100 adult earthworms Eisenia foetida for 30 days. Physical and chemical parameters including temperature, humidity, carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and pH were monitored. Results: The obtained results showed that at the first of composting process, the temperature was sharply increased and after that dropped and reached to the ambient temperature. The C/N ratio was decreased in studied Diy beds during preparing and vermicompost processes. The averages of C/N ratios in the raw FW and RB at mixing ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:5 were 45.35, 38.43, 35.3, and 32.11, respectively. The C/N ratios in the vermicompost were reduced to 20.85, 18.3, 16.86, and 15.16, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that composting and vermicomposting process can be used as a potential tool for bio convert rice bran and food waste. However, it is suggested that the rice bran can be amended with food waste to ensure better quality of vermicompost. © 2016 Medknow. All rights reserved.