Molecular characteristics of humic acids isolated from vermicomposts and their relationship to bioactivity.
Vermitechnology is an effective composting method, which transforms biomass into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. Mature vermicompost is a renewable organic product containing humic substances with high biological activity. The aim of this study was to assess the chemical characteristics and the bioactivity of humic acids isolated from different vermicomposts produced with either cattle manure, sugar cane bagasse, sunflower cake from seed oil extraction, or filter cake from a sugar cane factory. More than 200 different molecules were found, and it was possible to identify chemical markers on humic acids according to the nature of the organic source. The large hydrophobic character of humic extracts and the preservation of altered lignin derivatives confer to humic acids the ability to induce lateral root emergence in maize seedlings. Humic acid-like substances extracted from plant biomass residues represent an additional valuable product of vermicomposting that can be used as a plant growth promoter.
Departamento de Quı́mica, Universidad Agraria de La Habana , San José de las Lajas, Cuba.
Dariellys
D
Martinez-Balmori
Riccardo
R
Spaccini
Natália Oliveira
NO
Aguiar
Etelvino Henrique
EH
Novotny
Fábio Lopes
FL
Olivares
Luciano Pasqualoto
LP
Canellas
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis; D009835:Oligochaeta; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
D006812:Humic Substances; D008372:Manure; D012987:Soil; D008031:Lignin
GC-MS; NMR; humic acids; pyrolysis; vermicompost