Dissolved organic and inorganic phosphorus compounds in pig slurry: effect of drying

Abstract

SUMMARYFrom gel filtration studies it has been found that more than 50% of organic phosphorus dissolved in pig slurry is contained in compounds of high molecular weight. Various ions, e.g. calcium, copper, orthophosphate, are bound by these compounds. From the purine and pyrimidine base composition and resistance to acid and alkali treatment it follows that these organic compounds probably are complexes derived from polydeoxyribonucleotides (DNA).The effect of drying pig slurry at various temperatures (0–100 °C) on the solubility of phosphorus, calcium and copper after redispersion of the dried slurry was investigated. The solubility of organic phosphorus was not affected by drying and redispersion in water, but the amount of phosphorus contained in dissolved organic molecules of high molecular weight decreased on drying at higher temperatures. The solubility of copper was also not affected by heat treatment. The solubility of inorganic phosphorus is mainly related to the solubility constants of mineral phosphates. On the other hand the total solubility of the cations involved is determined by complex formation.