title: Preliminary observation on the effect of baking soda volume on controlling odour from discarded organic waste.
abstract: Food wastes with high moisture and organic matter content are likely to emit odours as a result of the decomposition process. The management of odour from decomposing wastes is needed to sustain the interest of residents and local councils in the source separation of kitchen wastes. This study investigated the potential of baking soda (at 50 g, 75 g and 100g per kg food waste) to control odour from seven days stored food waste. It was found that 50 g of baking soda, spread at the bottom of 8l food wastes bin, can reduce the odour by about 70%. A higher amount (above 100g) is not advised as a pH higher than 9.0 may be induced leading to the volatilization of odorous ammonia. This research finding is expected to benefit the waste management sector, food processing industries as well as the local authorities where malodour from waste storage is a pressing issue.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Electronic address: cenastaein@usm.my.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Qamaruz-Zaman
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kun
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: R-N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Rosli
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000737:chemistry; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D005502:Food; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D018505:Waste Management / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014866:Waste Products
chemical_list: D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D014866:Waste Products; D000641:Ammonia; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate
keywords: Ammonia; Food waste; Odour; Sodium bicarbonate; Volatile acid