Phospholipid fatty acid analysis to monitor the co-composting process of olive oil mill wastes and organic household refuse.
The co-composting of olive oil mill wastes and household refuse was followed for 5 months. During the thermophilic phase of composting, the aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (AHB) count, showed a significant rise with a slight regression of fungal biomass. In the same way, phospholipid fatty acids PLFAs common in bacteria, showed a significant increase of hydroxyl and branched PLFAs. The evaluation of the ratio of octadecenoic PLFAs to stearic acid (C18:1omega/C18:0) revealed a significant reduction while a significant rise in the length of aliphatic chains evaluated by the stearic acid to palmitic acid ratio (C18:0/C16:0) was noted during the stabilization phase. The follow-up of PLFAs, indicates the degree of biodegradation that occurs during composting, it can be regarded an indicator of the stability and maturity of the end product.
Soil and Environment Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, BP/2390 Marrakech, Morocco.
F
F
Barje
S
S
Amir
P
P
Winterton
E
E
Pinelli
G
G
Merlina
J
J
Cegarra
J-C
JC
Revel
M
M
Hafidi
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018533:Biomass; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D019649:Food Industry; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil; D014866:Waste Products
D005227:Fatty Acids; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D012987:Soil; D014866:Waste Products