Anaerobic digestion of manure from laying hens fed diets containing different mineral sources and rosemary oil levels

Abstract

This study evaluated the stability of anaerobic digestion and biogas production from the manure of laying hens fed diets containing different mineral sources and rosemary oil concentrations. Manure was obtained from 288 semi-heavy laying hens, 30 weeks old, and collected for 112 days. A completely randomized design was used in a 2×3 factorial scheme with repeated measures, considering two mineral sources (inorganic and organic) and three concentrations of rosemary oil (0, 100, and 200 mg kg-1). Twelve continuous bench digesters (7.5 kg) were operated with a hydraulic retention time of 30 days and daily loads of 5% total solids, for 90 days. A weekly analysis of influents and effluents was performed by measuring the values of total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), pH, ammonia nitrogen (ammonia N), intermediary alkalinity (IA), partial alkalinity (PA), and the relationship IA:PA; biweekly analysis of total nitrogen (N) and total phosphorus (P) concentrations; and daily measurement of biogas production data to calculate the biogas production potential of the manure. Manure from laying hens fed with organic minerals has greater potential for biogas production and greater TS and VS reduction than manure from hens supplemented with inorganic minerals. Laying hen diets containing up to 200 mg kg-1 of rosemary oil do not present the risk of anaerobic digestion failure.