title: Chemolytic and solid-state spectroscopic evaluation of organic matter transformation during vermicomposting of sugar industry wastes.
abstract: The molecular structure of humic acid (HA) extracted was investigated by FT-IR and (13)C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy during the vermicomposting of sugar industry wastes, viz. pressmud, trash and bagasse for 60days. A rapid decrease in C/N and lignocellulosic (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose) content was observed in vermicompost during early phase of the process. The FT-IR and (13)C CP/MAS NMR spectra of HA indicated a high rate of change in structure with increase in the alkyl C/O-alkyl C ratio during the process. Aromatic structures and carboxyl groups showed an initial increase but decreased after approximately 40days indicating extensive mineralization during final stages of vermicomposting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India.
authors.forename: Biswarup
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Chandra
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D006812:Humic Substances; D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon; D002482:Cellulose; C027433:bagasse; D009584:Nitrogen