title: Bioconversion of wastes from olive oil industries by vermicomposting process using the epigeic earthworm Eisenia andrei.
abstract: The present work evaluates the possible bioconversion of wet olive cake by low-cost biostabilization (vermicomposting process). Wet olive cake fresh (WOC), precomposted (WOCP), or mixed with biosolids (WOCB), were vermicomposted for 6 months to obtain organic amendments for agricultural and remediation purposes. The results showed initial differences depending on previous treatment. WOCP was initially more stable, presented a low C:N ratio, and showed more dehydrogenase and urease activity. By contrast, there was no dehydrogenase activity initially in WOC and WOCB, due to the presence of some different types of polyphenols. Finally, the end product showed relatively higher amounts of total nitrogen and humic acid and met the standard of quality for composts and vermicomposts for use both in conventional and organic agriculture and soil-restoration programs.
authors.affiliation: Area of Ecological Production and Natural Resources (IFAPA), Almeria, Spain. raquel.melgar@juntadeandalucia.es
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Melgar
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Benitez
authors.forename: Rogelio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nogales
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D019649:Food Industry; D006812:Humic Substances; D007220:Industrial Waste; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism*; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D014510:Urease / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D006812:Humic Substances; D007220:Industrial Waste; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D014510:Urease; D009584:Nitrogen