Bioconversion of Eichhornia crassipes into vermicompost on a large scale through improving operational aspects of in-vessel biodegradation process: Microbial dynamics. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pottipati, Suryateja; Jat, Neeraj; Kalamdhad, Ajay S.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 374(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Phytotoxicity -- Thermophilic-Mesophilic biodegradation -- Eisenia fetida -- Rotary drum composting -- Industrial scale; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128767
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Bioconversion of aquatic weed biomass into soil conditioner through a two-stage biodegradation process. Optimised biodegradation reduces the degradation period to 27 days. Metagenomic profiling signifies the dominance of Bacteroidetes during biodegradation. The biodegradation process was coherent in 71% volume reduction and SGI greater than 95% of feedstock. Fed-batch feeding of weed biomass, 250 kg/day and vermicompost production of 100 kg/day. Abstract: Eichhornia crassipes is a common, abundant aquatic weed biomass found globally. The present study examined optimum biodegradation procedures through batch studies (550 L rotating drum composter) and the resulting best combination on a large scale (5000 L rotary drum composter). The pilot scale rotary drum reactor was commenced with cow manure and then treated for 3 months with 250 kg/day of homogenously mixed E. crassipes and dry leaves. The rotary drum's inlet and outlet temperatures were 60 °C and 39 °C, respectively, suggesting thermophilic conditions with a 7-day waste retention duration. Eisenia fetida was used for vermicomposting the outlet material for 20 days, raising the nitrogen content to 3.2%. Bacterial diversity (16S-rRNA) sequencing revealed that Proteobacteria and Euryarchaeota are the most predominant. After 27 days, the volume dropped by 71%, and the product was stable and soil-safe. Large-scale optimised biodegradation may be a better way to handle aquatic weed biomass.