Elimination of microbial pollution of domestic animal excrements using vermicomposting

Abstract

Based on the theoretical knowledge of vermicomposting, a project was realized for the construction of a three-chamber domestic wooden vermicomposter, in which aerobic degradation of three types of animal excrements (cow, pig, dog) using the earthworm Eisenia andrei was carried out. Before laying the individual excrements to the compost batch, the appropriate input samples were taken for the microbiological examination of the biopathogens. After six months, final samples of the final substrate were taken to determine whether proper compost sanitization took place during the vermicomposting process; according to valid legislation, the bacteria Escherichia coli, Enterocococcus sp. and Salmonella sp. were identified as indicator micro-organisms. After the evaluation of the performed laboratory analyses, it was proved that the use of earthworm bioactivity resulted in elimination or at least significant reduction of the concentrations of these bacterial strains in the final vermicompost samples.