title: Selective reduction of the pathogenic load of cow manure in an industrial-scale continuous-feeding vermireactor.
abstract: Vermicomposting is a suitable technology for processing different wastes, to produce a valuable end product (vermicompost). However, the pathogenic load of the waste must be greatly reduced in order to prevent risks to human health. Although Eisenia andrei may reduce the levels of several pathogens, the feasibility of vermicomposting, with regard to pathogen reduction, has not been tested on an industrial scale. This work studied whether vermicomposting in a continuous feeding vermireactor, is able to reduce the pathogenic load of cow manure. The effect of E. andrei on pathogens depended on the type of pathogen; thus, levels of Clostridium, total coliforms and Enterobacteria were not modified, but levels of faecal enterococci, faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli were reduced to acceptable levels. Pathogens could have maintained their levels in continuous feeding vermireactors, as fresh layers of manure are added to the top, which allows the vertical spread of pathogens through leaching.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo E-36310, Spain. henrikki.liimatainen@oulu.fi
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aira
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gómez-Brandón
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: González-Porto
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domínguez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D002417:Cattle; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008372:Manure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D008372:Manure