Parasitic threat in commercial organic fertilizers

Aleksandra Figura,Elżbieta Żbikowska,Tomasz Cencek

doi:10.1007/s00436-022-07451-5

Aleksandra Figura, Elżbieta Żbikowska + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-022-07451-5

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Abstract

The use of fertilizers based on sewage sludge is common practice. Due to the possible presence of pathogens and eggs of intestinal parasites like Ascaris sp., Toxocara sp., and Trichuris sp. in these products, it is necessary to control them. The aim of the study was to determine the presence of parasite eggs in commercial organic fertilizers available on the market. Selected commercial products were tested using the Quinn flotation method and a method dedicated to the study of dewatered sewage sludge. Assessment of the viability of helminth eggs was carried out on the basis of staining with calcein and propidium iodide. In 57% of the tested samples, the presence of live eggs of the abovementioned parasites was detected, and in 21% of samples, the eggs with live larvae were detected. Eggs of Trichuris sp. (50%) and Ascaris sp. (36%) were the most common. The obtained results clearly indicate that the process of hygienization of the sewage sludge before the production of fertilizers was not effective enough and it is necessary to standardize the prophylaxis against the spread of parasitic nematodes in commercially available products.

Highlights

In many countries, including Poland, there are legal regulations concerning the use of fertilizers and fertilization process
Nematode eggs of the genera Ascaris, Toxocara, and Trichuris were observed in nine out of fourteen tested samples taken from the products available on the market (Fig. 1)
Live larvae of parasites were present in the soil fertilizer, in one manure, and in one of the organic fertilizers

Summary

Introduction

In many countries, including Poland, there are legal regulations concerning the use of fertilizers and fertilization process. These acts contain the conditions and procedure for the commercialization of fertilizers. In the USA, this problem is regulated by Federal Water Pollution Control Acts. In Poland, the authority issuing the permit for an indefinite period is the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This permit may be withdrawn if the quality requirements are not met or it is proven that the product poses risk to human or animal health.

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