Mature Compost Research Articles

Performance of Effective Microorganism (EM) in Food Waste Composting and Their Association with Seed Germination on Kale Seed

Food waste has an influence throughout the whole food supply chain, from production to consumption. Composting effectively and affordably reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, water, soil erosion, pesticides, and soil carbon storage. Composting may also improve crop yields and soil fertility, leading to more sustainable farming practices. The potential of efficient microorganisms (EM) for dehydrated food waste decomposition was investigated in this study. The research assessed the temperature and pH profiles during composting, whereas nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic content, and E. coli were measured in mature composts. Therefore, the study revealed that EM greatly hastened the composting process by boosting critical factors such as temperature, pH, nitrogen content (TN : 1.17±0.6%, TP: 0.059±1.92%, K: 0.12±5.3%) organic enrichment (85%), and E-coli (<1 MPN/g). The germination index (GI) of kale seed was then analysed with the study’s findings indicating an 80% soil-compost ratio was the best. This research investigates the use of effective microorganisms (EM) to transform food waste into beneficial agricultural resources, with favourable results for soil health and kale seed germination. Researchers and circular economy officials may use the results to promote sustainable agriculture. The research helps to minimize landfill food waste, methane emissions, and synthetic fertilizer consumption, all of which benefit the environment. Farmers and gardeners may use the findings to boost soil fertility and crop yields on a budget. This research indicates that food waste may be transformed into useful resources, encouraging sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural.

The enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes in swine manure compost was related to the bulking agent types

Composting is a major method to produce organic fertilizers, and the variation in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during composting is crucial for the safe utilization of mature compost. The effects of different bulking agents (cellulose-rich cornstalk and lignin-rich garden waste) on ARGs variations during swine manure composting were investigated. The results showed that composting thermophilic could effectively reduce ARGs (58–61 %), whereas ARGs rebounded and were enriched with decreasing temperature during the maturation stage. Compared to their initial abundance, ARGs were enriched 6.97 times (cornstalk) and 22.27 times (garden waste) during the maturation period. The ARGs enrichment mechanism in swine manure composting differed for cornstalk and garden waste amendments. The cornstalk was used as the bulking agent, the selective pressure of continuous high temperature resulted in the proliferation of spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus, Sporosarcina and Psychrobacillus), which are potential host bacteria of ARGs and cause ARGs enrichment through vertical gene proliferation. In the garden waste treatment, the enriched ARGs in the final compost were related to horizontal gene transfer mediated by mobile genetic elements (intl1), with the primary potential host bacteria being Bacillus, Saccharomonospora, and Caldicoprobacter. The types of enriched ARGs were consistent across different bulking agents composting process, and the risk genes enriched in the final mature compost included ermB, ermF, sul1, sul2, tetO, and tetX.

Pengaruh Bioaktivator MOL (Mikroorganisme Lokal) Jerami Nangka (Artocapus integra merr) terhadap Lama Pengomposan

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of the bioactivator MOL Jermai Jackfruit (Artocapus integra merr) on the length of time for composting. Jackfruit straw is one of the wastes that has not been used properly and is thrown away so that it can cause environmental pollution. So to avoid this problem, the Jackfruit Straw is fermented into MOL as a compost material from organic vegetable waste, fruits are thrown away and produce a bad smell. MOL Jackfruit Straw was fermented for 7 days with a brown color and smell of alcohol. The research method used experimentally by using 3 variables, namely the independent variable (long composting time), the dependent variable (MOL Straw Jackfruit) and the supporting variables EM4 and control. The results of the research composting using MOL Straw Jackfruit, EM4 and control temperature of the compost 300C, pH 7, 70% content, blackish color, smooth texture and smell like soil. The final composting process in all treatment parameters has met the SNI for compost except the water content, namely the temperature according to ground water (300C), pH 6.80-7.49, maximum water content of 50% blackish color, texture and smell like soil. The length of time for composting using MOL Straw Jackfruit dose of 10 ml 24 days, EM4 10 ml 29 days and control 42 days. Data analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test obtained a significance value of 0.000 < 0.05, so H1 is accepted or there is an effect of the Jackfruit Straw MOL bioactivator on the length of time for composting.

Co-composting to close the cycle of resources during rose cultivation in Kenya: An agronomic and pesticide residue assessment

Recycling green waste through composting is a promising practice for the transition towards a bio-based circular economy in the floricultural sector of Africa, especially for Kenya where cut flower export accounts for nearly 14 % of its total export value in 2017. Rose waste is a large waste stream, but its intrinsic properties make it challenging to recycle. Composting on commercial scale was studied on a rose farm near Lake Naivasha, (Kenya). Three mixtures were examined: (1) rose waste (RW) only, (2) 80 % RW + 20 % tomato waste and (3) 90 % RW + 10 % mature rose compost. Trapezoidal piles of approximately 4000 kg green waste were composted following the turned windrow approach, samples were taken at six occasions. The nine-month composting study, including pesticide fate assessment, showed consistent performance across tested mixtures. All mixtures resulted in mature and stable compost with C/N ratios below 10 and a high fertilizing potential, meeting international sanitation requirements. Final average volume reduction was 82 %, total N values ranged between 8.1 and 8.9 mg g−1 compost and pH values were alkaline (8.0–8.3). Out of the approximately 50 pesticides commonly used in rose cultivation only 8–12 pesticides could be detected in the matured composts with the highest contribution of flubendiamide and fluopyram. Scenario analysis showed the feasibility of closing the resource cycle in the African floricultural sector via continuous crop rotation over eight years with an amendment rate of 11.5 kg per m2. Overall, this study provided straightforward implementable practices for rose waste management, which facilitates the re-use of valuable green waste in Africa and thereby contributes to the transition towards a global circular economy.

Dissolve organic matter of mature chicken compost contributes to the protection of microorganisms from the stress of heavy metals

Dissolved organic matter (DOM), as the most active component of manure and compost, can influence heavy metal forms and microbial community structure by changing the physicochemical properties of soils. This study employed DOM extracted from fresh chicken manure (FDOM) and mature compost (MDOM) and evaluated their impacts on the physicochemical properties, heavy metal forms, and microbial communities of chernozem and dark brown soil through UV-Vis, EEM-PARAFAC, and high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that all DOM treatments decreased soil pH except for the MDOM at 150 mg C/kg applied to chernozem (CLM). MDOM treatments were more favorable in increasing soil available phosphorus content and the degree of humification of soil DOM, and FDOM treatments were more favorable in increasing soil dissolved organic carbon content and decreasing the degree of humification of soil DOM. Except for CLM treatment, the other DOM treatments decreased the content of stable state Pb, increased the risk of Pb migration and biotoxicity, and FDOM treatments were more pronounced. In addition, DOM treatments decreased the Shannon diversity of two soils and the Chao1 index in chernozem. However, DOM at 300 mg C/kg could increase the abundance of soil eutrophic and heavy metals tolerant dominant phyla (Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota) as well as dominant genera (Sphingomonas, Lysobacter, and Arthrobacter). This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the risk of manure and compost application in heavy metals-polluted soils and its interaction with microorganisms.

One step production from the monomer of poly(L‐lactide)/flax biocomposites by thermoplastic resin transfer molding: Mechanical properties and aging

AbstractDevelopment of biocomposites is becoming a necessity due to environmental concerns. Polylactide is a matrix of choice, regarding its bio‐sourced and compostable nature along with its mechanical properties. In this study, poly(L‐lactide)/flax biocomposites were produced using thermoplastic resin transfer molding (TP‐RTM) in one step process from the monomer, affording sustainable and fully compostable composite materials. The polymerization of L‐lactide (L‐LA) monomer was promoted by tin octoate, affording poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) matrices displaying monomer conversions superior to 96% and mass‐average molar masses above 140,000 g/mol. Flax fibers were used as received without any functionalization which is usually conducted to prevent the hydroxyl groups to conduct side reactions. Mechanical testing revealed bending modulus of 9.3 GPa and bending strength of 177 MPa comparable to existing literature values for PLLA/flax composites produced by other techniques. Digital microscopy analysis provided insights into impregnation quality and void characterization within the composites. In addition, the durability of these biocomposites was also evaluated via accelerated aging tests.Highlights PLLA/flax biocomposites were produced by TP‐RTM for the first time. In situ polymerization of the PLLA matrix associated with non‐functionalized flax fabrics was conducted. Bending properties were found in line with those of PLLA/flax composites produced by compression molding. Aging tests under UV at 50°C of PLLA/flax biocomposites were conducted.

Identification of N, P, and K in Solid Waste from Palm Flour Production and Their Benefits as Organic Compost Fertilizer Ingredients

The palm flour manufacturing industry produces a lot of liquid waste and solid waste. The absence of a waste processing system means the waste is dumped around the production house. The large amount of solid waste that is dumped every day causes a buildup of waste on riverbanks. The flow of river water is disturbed, pollutes the river ecosystem, and the smell is unpleasant. The research aims to identify the content of N, P, and K elements in palm flour solid waste. The data obtained will be used as a basic reference for using palm flour solid waste as an alternative compost material considering that most of the Pucang Miliran village area is an agricultural area. The research was carried out by taking a sample of 1 kg of sugar palm flour solid waste and testing it for the content of N, P, and K. Data from laboratory tests were analyzed descriptively supported by a literature study. The research results showed that palm flour solid waste contained Nitrogen (N) of 194.227 mg/Kg, Phosphorus (P) of 410.270 mg/Kg, and Potassium (K) of 832.382 mg/Kg. The presence of the three nutrients N, P, and K in large enough quantities can be considered that palm flour solid waste can be a good alternative material for making organic fertilizer/compost. Further research is needed to determine the comparison and combination of various compost material compositions to produce the best palm solid waste compost.

Production of low-cost lactic acid from dairy wastes and dates wastewater and bioactive silver-poly (lactic acid) nanocomposite for biological applications

L-Lactic acid-producing Lactobacillus lactis and L. plantarum were isolated from date wastes. The fermentation process was optimized using a one-variable-at-a-time approach. Dairy wastewater and wastewater from the date industry were utilized as low-cost culture media to produce lactic acid. The selected two bacterial strains were co-cultured in wastewater medium to produce L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid. Lactic acid production was significantly improved by glucose (carbon source), yeast extract (nitrogen source), initial inoculum level, and polysorbate 80. A central composite design and response surface methodology were used to optimize the variables and their levels to improve lactic acid yield. The supplemented yeast extract, glucose, and polysorbate 80 improved lactic acid. The predicted variables and their levels for maximum lactic acid production were glucose (67.5 g/L), yeast extract (10.28 g/L), and polysorbate 80 (0.48 mL/L). The prepared nanocomposites exhibited antibacterial activity against foodborne bacterial pathogens. The structural properties of the silver-polylactic acid nano compost materials were determined. The characterized compost materials exhibited a peak absorption wavelength of 430 nm. The silver and poly(lactic acid) were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis and were 30 to 50 nm in size.

Properties of Organic Matter in Composts Based on Sewage Sludge

Properties of Organic Matter in Composts Based on Sewage Sludge

Overview of the Impact of Compost on Bulk Density, Aggregate Consistency and Cation Exchange Capacity of Soils and its Consequential Effect on Crop Productivity

Organic fertilizers offer several advantages over chemical fertilizers and are an environmentally friendly alternative that could help sustainably farmed land. Reviewing indigenous knowledge of the agronomic applications of organic manure and its possible contribution to agricultural growth was the goal of this article. It is evident that organic manures from various plant and animal sources can be used to satisfy certain field needs. However, the use of organic manures is still primarily conventional since they have not been well received by agricultural strategies. When bulky organic manures are directly applied to soil, they accelerate mineralization and reduce the rate at which nutrients, especially nitrogen, are released. Compared to raw resources, which have limited value and certain disadvantages, composting these wastes appears to offer significant potential. The majority of researchers verified that adding compost might enhance the soil's organic matter content, nutrient status, and physical, chemical, and biological properties. Soil organic matter concentrations rise in every long-term compost treatment study. But since they contain more stable carbon than fresh or immature composts, mature composts raise Soil organic matter considerably more effectively. Furthermore, because compost has so many beneficial effects on the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil, it helps to stabilize and improve crop quality and yield. As a result, the majority of studies have demonstrated that compost has an equalizing influence on seasonal and annual variations in soil temperature, air, water, and plant nutrient availability, as well as crop yields. mostly due to the nutrients' gradual release and availability in compost-combined fertilization techniques, which frequently yield positive outcomes. Therefore, composting can be a useful choice for building effective plant-nutrient management methods in many settings for sustainable agricultural systems within small-scale farming in impoverished nations.

Co-composting of dewatered sludge and wheat straw with newly isolated Xenophilus azovorans: Carbon dynamics, humification, and driving pathways

Composting is a biological reaction caused by microorganisms. Composting efficiency can be adequately increased by adding biochar and/or by inoculating with exogenous microorganisms. In this study, we looked at four methods for dewatered sludge waste (DSW) and wheat straw (WS) aerobic co-composting: T1 (no additive), T2 (5% biochar), T3 (5% of a newly isolated strain, Xenophilus azovorans (XPA)), and T4 (5% of biochar-immobilized XPA (BCI-XPA)). Throughout the course of the 42-day composting period, we looked into the carbon dynamics, humification, microbial community succession, and modifications to the driving pathways. Compared to T1 and T2, the addition of XPA (T3) and BCI-XPA (T4) extended the thermophilic phase of composting without negatively affecting compost maturation. Notably, T4 exhibited a higher seed germination index (132.14%). Different from T1 and T2 treatments, T3 and T4 treatments increased CO2 and CH4 emissions in the composting process, in which the cumulative CO2 emissions increased by 18.61–47.16%, and T3 and T4 treatments also promoted the formation of humic acid. Moreover, T4 treatment with BCI-XPA addition showed relatively higher activities of urease, polyphenol oxidase, and laccase, as well as a higher diversity of microorganisms compared to other processes. The Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) analysis showed that microorganisms involved in the carbon cycle dominated the entire composting process in all treatments, with chemoheterotrophy and aerobic chemoheterotrophy being the main pathways of organic materials degradation. Moreover, the presence of XPA accelerated the breakdown of organic materials by catabolism of aromatic compounds and intracellular parasite pathways. On the other hand, the xylanolysis pathway was aided in the conversion of organic materials to dissolved organics by the addition of BCI-XPA. These findings indicate that XPA and BCI-XPA have potential as additives to improve the efficiency of dewatered sludge and wheat straw co-composting.

Current Status of Sustainable Food Packaging Regulations: Global Perspective

This review offers a global overview of the status of laws governing sustainable food packaging materials. The review highlights the regulatory framework for several sustainable packaging options, including paper-based packaging, compostable materials, and biodegradable plastics. The review focuses on the European, Indian, South Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Australian, British, and American regulations. Generally, the trend towards sustainable food packaging legislation is anticipated to continue, with more nations and regions putting policies into place to cut waste and encourage a circular economy. This will probably spur the development of new environmentally friendly packaging materials and motivate companies to use greener methods.

Optimization of Laminated Bio-Polymer Fabrication for Food Packaging Application: A Sustainable Plasma-Activated Approach.

The current level of packaging consumption imposes a need to fabricate single-use food packaging with renewable and compostable materials, such as bio-polyesters (e.g., polylactic acid, PLA and polybutylene succinate, PBS) or cellulose, but their use is still problematic. Fabrication of bio-compostable composites can specifically address impeding challenges, and adhesive lamination, achieved with compostable glue, is becoming more and more popular with respect to the less versatile hot lamination. In this context, plasma activation, a chemical-free oxidation technique of a material's surface, is used to increase the affinity of three different biomaterials (cellulose, PLA and PBS) toward a compostable polyurethane adhesive to decrease its amount by gluing bio-polyesters to cellulose. Optical Microscopy reveals activation conditions that do not affect the integrity of the materials, while Water Contact Analyses confirm the activation of the surfaces, with contact angles decreased to roughly 50 deg in all cases. Unexpectedly, ζ-potential analyses and subtractive infrared spectroscopy highlight how the activation performed superficially etches cellulose, while for both PLA and PBS, a general decrease in surface potential and an increase in superficial hydroxyl group populations confirm the achievement of the desired oxidation. Thus, we rationalize continuous activation conditions to treat PLA and PBS and to glue them to neat cellulose. While no beneficial effect is observed with activated PLA, bi-laminate composites fabricated with activated PBS fulfill the benchmark for adhesion strength using less than before, while oxygen permeation analyses exclude plasma-induced etching even at a nanoscale.

Application of Sensory Methods to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Solutions to Reduce the Exposure to Odour Nuisance and Ammonia Emissions from the Compost Heaps.

Exposure to high concentrations of odours can result in health effects associated with direct health risks and irritation from nuisance. This investigation aimed to correlate aspects of the waste composting process with the emission levels of malodourous compounds. An essential optimisation criterion is the reduction of negative environmental impacts, particularly odour emissions. This study characterises odour concentration variations across various technological variants over different weeks of the composting process. A secondary objective is evaluating the efficacy of these variants, which differ in inoculation substances and compost heap composition. Olfactometric analyses were conducted using portable field olfactometers, enabling precise dilutions by mixing contaminated and purified air. The primary aim was to examine the correlation between selected odour parameters, determined via sensory analysis, and ammonia concentration during different composting weeks. Ammonia levels were measured using an RAE electrochemical sensor. Research shows that odour concentration is a significant indicator of compost maturity. In situ, olfactometric testing can effectively monitor the aerobic stabilisation process alone or with other methods. The most effective technological solution was identified by combining olfactometric and ammonia measurements and monitoring composting parameters, ensuring minimal odour emissions and the safety of employees and nearby residents.

Effects of different proportions of fruit tree branches on nicotine content and microbial diversity during composting of tobacco waste

Adding fruit tree branches to the compost pile in appropriate proportions is one of the methods used to address the challenge of tobacco waste recycling. However, the effects of different proportions of fruit tree branches on nicotine concentration and microbial diversity during tobacco waste composting have not been reported. In this study, a composting system with tobacco waste, cow dung, and fruit tree branches was established in a laboratory fermenter to assess the impact of adding 10%, 20%, and 30% fruit tree branches on quantity changes. In addition, the relationships between nicotine degradation, compost properties, enzyme activities, and microbial diversities were determined using biochemical assay methods and high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that adding appropriate proportions of fruit branch segments affected changes in physical and chemical properties during composting and promoted tobacco waste compost maturity. Aerobic composting effectively degraded nicotine in tobacco waste. Increased proportions of fruit branch segments led to elevations in nicotine degradation rates and enzyme activities related to lignocellulose degradation. The addition of fruit branches influenced the relative abundance and species of dominant bacteria and fungi at the phylum and genus levels. However, it did not significantly affect the relative abundance of the main bacterial genera involved in nicotine degradation. Nevertheless, it reduced the sensitivity of enzyme activity to nicotine content within heaps, increasing reliance on total nitrogen changes. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of tobacco waste in composting systems and indicate that fruit tree branches can enhance nicotine degradation efficiency during tobacco waste composting.

Development of Biodegradable Bioplastics with Sericin and Gelatin from Silk Cocoons and Fish Waste.

The bioplastics sector promotes environmentally friendly means of cutting down on the usage of fossil fuels, plastic waste, and environmental pollution. Plastic contamination has detrimental effects on both ecological systems and the global food supply. The approach we present here to resolve this issue involves the integration of sericin and gelatin, obtained from cocoon and fish waste, respectively, with nano-reinforced cellulose crystals, to develop a biodegradable and compostable plastic material. The use of cocoon and fish wastes for the extraction of sericin and gelatin presents an environmentally beneficial approach since it contributes to waste reduction. The sericin level found in silk cocoon waste was determined to be 28.08%, and the gelatin amount in fish waste was measured to be 58.25%. The inclusion of sericin and gelatin in bioplastics was accompanied by the incorporation of glycerol, vinegar, starch, sodium hydroxide, and other coloring agents. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) examination of bioplastics revealed the presence of functional groups that corresponded to the sericin and gelatin components. The tensile strength of the bioplastic material was measured to be 27.64 MPa/psi, while its thickness varied between 0.072 and 0.316 mm. The results of burial experiments indicated that the bioplastic material had a degradation rate of 85% after 14 days. The invention exhibits potential as a viable alternative for packaging, containment, and disposable plastic materials. The use of this sustainable approach is recommended for the extraction of sericin and gelatin from silk cocoons and fish waste, with the intention of using them as raw materials for bioplastic production.

Research on the Composting Technology of Cattle and Sheep Manure Based on Intelligent and Efficient Composting Equipment and the Evaluation Standard of Decomposition Degree

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a crucial area in China with a significant advantage in animal husbandry, particularly in cattle and sheep farming. However, the disposal of the large quantities of manure produced during farming has severely impacted the industry’s healthy development. Proper treatment of the manure can convert it into organic fertilizer beneficial to farmland; otherwise, it will cause substantial environmental pollution. This study focuses on existing composting equipment and addresses the issues of cattle and sheep manure mixture ratios and compost maturity evaluation. Through experiments on the mixture of cattle and sheep manure, the optimal ratio for converting cattle and sheep manure into organic fertilizer was determined. Additionally, a fuzzy mathematical evaluation model was employed, along with experimental data, to establish a comprehensive evaluation system for aerobic compost maturity based on multiple indicators, revealing the variation patterns of maturity levels under different mixture ratios. The test results revealed that the composting equipment effectively controls the composting process, shortens the composting cycle, ensures the complete decomposition of organic matter, and meets national standards for livestock and poultry manure treatment. Regarding temperature and humidity, oxygen concentration, seed germination rate, pH value, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium content, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, the mixed compost of cattle and sheep manure in various ratios met the relevant standards for agricultural application. Various ratios of organic fertilizers containing cattle and sheep manure significantly promoted the growth of maize, wheat, and mung bean crops. Specifically, the compost decomposition cycle was shortest when sheep and cattle dung were mixed at a ratio of 2:1, while it was longest for all cattle dung. Finally, a fuzzy mathematical comprehensive evaluation model was established by selecting four indicators: water content, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, apparent score, and germination index. The study demonstrates that the equipment and method offer significant advantages in efficiently treating cattle and sheep manure and producing organic fertilizer, thereby providing strong support for the sustainable development of animal husbandry.

Vermicomposting preferably alters fungal communities in wasted activated sludge and promotes the production of plant growth-promoting biostimulants in the vermicompost

Waste activated sludge (WAS) is the main by-product of wastewater treatment plants. Vermicomposting integrated earthworms and reconstructive microbes to achieve WAS stabilization, with the mature composts enriched with plant hormones and humic substances (HS) forming supramolecular forces to protect hormone activity. However, how vermicomposting changes sludge microbial community, transforms sludge-derived organics into various plant biostimulants and promotes hormones-HS interaction remain elusive. Here we used multi-omics approaches to demonstrate how reconstructed microbes transformed sludge-derived organics into plant biostimulants, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to explore the force details of hormone-HS aggregations. Additionally, plant growth phenotype treated by the vermicompost was accessed. Our results showed that earthworm (Eisenia fetida) selectively altered fungal communities in sludge matrices, promoting the growth of phyla Mucoromycota, Ascomycota, and Cryptomycota. Reconstructed fungal communities then dominated the transformation of nitrogenous organics, accelerating the degradation rate of proteins and the production rate of plant biostimulants, including humic substances (HS, especially fulvic acid), indoleacetic acid (IAA), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA). In detail, indole acted as the exclusive precursor for IAA biosynthesis (2.77 mg/kg-TS) via tryptophan metabolism. Unsaturated fatty acids generated from the citrate cycle were responsible for JA production (2.19 mg/kg-TS) via β-oxidation, while phenylalanine contributed to SA production (4.52 μg/kg-TS) via deaminase coenzyme and phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase. The results of MD simulation exhibited a stronger supramolecular force in the IAA-HS assemblage (−46.7 KJ/mol) than the SA-HS pair and JA-HS pair, thus protecting the structure and bioavailability of IAA and promoting the auxin-like activity in the vermicompost. Plant growth experiments further confirmed that vermicompost promoted plant root elongation. This work is believed to deepen the understanding of vermicomposting for sustainable management of sludge.

The Impact of Abiotic and Biotic Conditions for Degradation Behaviors of Common Biodegradable Products in Stabilized Composts.

This work examines the influence of the degradation behaviors of biotic and abiotic conditions on three types of biodegradable products: cups from PLA and from cellulose, and plates from sugarcane. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if biodegradable products can be degraded in composts that were stabilized by backyard composting. Furthermore, the impact of crucial abiotic parameters (temperature and pH) for the degradation behaviors process was investigated. The changes in the biopolymers were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. This work confirmed that abiotic and biotic conditions are important for an effective disintegration of the investigated biodegradable products. Under abiotic conditions, the degradation behaviors of PLA were observable under both tested temperature (38 and 59 °C) conditions, but only at the higher temperature was complete disintegration observed after 6 weeks of incubation in mature compost. Moreover, our research shows that some biodegradable products made from cellulose also need additional attention, especially with respect to incorporated additives, as composting could be altered and optimal conditions in composting may not be achieved. This study shows that the disintegration of biodegradable products is a comprehensive process and requires detailed evaluation during composting. The results also showed that biodegradable products can also be degraded post composting and that microplastic pollution from biodegradable polymers in soil may be removed by simple physical treatments.

SOSIALISASI PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH DAUN KAYU PUTIH (Melaleuca cajuputi) SEBAGAI PUPUK ORGANIK PADA KELOMPOK USAHA PERHUTANAN SOSIAL (KUPS) DUSUN WELNEWEN DESA WASPAIT KECAMATAN FENALEISELA KABUPATEN BURU

Socialization about compost making is important considering that cajuput leaf waste left over from distillation has slightly different characteristics compared to compost material that comes from leaves or other types of plant parts. This outreach aims to increase public knowledge about using leaf waste left over from distilling eucalyptus oil as raw material for making compost. The benefit is that the community can utilize wood waste left over from refining eucalyptus oil and reduce existing waste. The method used in this Community Service activity is in the form of socialization, before the activity begins, a pre-test is carried out to assess the initial knowledge of the socialization participants, then the socialization process consists of delivering material to the participants and continues with a discussion round. The activity closed by conducting a post-test on participants to assess the participants' final knowledge of the socialization material presented. The result of the socialization was an increase in the knowledge of the socialization participants regarding the use of waste leaves left over from refining cajuput oil. Participants can follow up this knowledge in the practice of using eucalyptus oil distillation leftover leaf waste in the eucalyptus oil refining business in the Social Forestry Business Group.