title: Biotechnology for aerobic conversion of food waste into organic fertilizer.
abstract: A biotechnology for aerobic conversion of food waste into organic fertilizer under controlled aeration, stirring, pH and temperature at 55-65 degrees C, is proposed. To maintain neutral pH at the beginning of the bioconversion 5% CaCO3 was added to the total solids of the food waste. The addition of 20% horticultural waste compost as a bulking agent to the food wastes (w.w./w.w.), improved the bioconversion and increased the stability of the final product. No starter culture was needed for aerobic bioconversion of food waste into organic fertilizer for 10 days. The low contents of heavy metals in the raw materials used in the bioconversions ensured the safety of fertilizer from food waste for application in agriculture. The addition of 4% organic fertilizer to the subsoil increased the yield and growth of Ipomoea aquatica (Kang Kong) by 1.5 to 2 times. The addition of phosphorus is required to enhance the positive effect of organic fertilizer on plant growth.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. costab@ntu.edu.sg
authors.forename: Olena
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Stabnikova
authors.forename: Hong-Bo
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Joo-Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.forename: Jing-Yuan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic; D001709:Biotechnology; D005308:Fertilizers; D019649:Food Industry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers