AUTHOR=Gaspar Suelen S. , Assis Lucas L. R. , Carvalho Carla A. , Buttrós Victor Hugo , Ferreira Gustavo Magno dos Reis , Schwan Rosane F. , Pasqual Moacir , Rodrigues Filipe Almendagna , Rigobelo Everlon Cid , Castro Rafael Peron , Dória Joyce 

TITLE=Dynamics of microbiota and physicochemical characterization of food waste in a new type of composter

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.960196

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2022.960196

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=It is essential to use renewable resources to minimize environmental risks, and composting is one of the most sustainable methods for managing organic waste. This work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the new type of composter and the microbial and physiochemical dynamics during composting. The use of two inoculants ((efficient microorganisms (EM), and a commercial inoculum (CI)), compared to a control treatment without inoculant, were evaluated. Composting was performed by mixing organic waste from the garden waste and University Restaurant (C/N ratio 30:1). The composting process was carried out in a 1 m3 composter with controlled temperature and aeration. The thermophilic phase for all treatments was reached on the second day. Mature compost was obtained after an average of 120 days, and composting in all treatments showed an increase in the availability of P and micronutrients. The new composter showed to be efficient in maintaining the oxygen content inside the cells, given the high number of microorganisms found and their high metabolic activity, accelerating the decomposition of residues. During composting, the bacteria and actinobacteria populations were higher than yeasts and filamentous fungi. Increased composting efficiency was observed when starter cultures were used. Finally, the inoculated treatments presented advantages showing more significant mineralization of P-available and micronutrients such as Mn and Zn in terms of the quality of the final product in comparison to the control treatment.