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.
Barje
F
F
Soil and Environment Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, BP/2390 Marrakech, Morocco.
Amir
S
S
Winterton
P
P
Pinelli
E
E
Merlina
G
G
Cegarra
J
J
Revel
J-C
JC
Hafidi
M
M
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