Enhancing Fertilizer Effect of Bioprocessed Brewers’ Spent Grain by Microbial Consortium Addition

Abstract

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is primarily recycled as livestock feed due to its high fiber content, undegradable protein, and water-soluble vitamins. However, BSG composting represents a possible alternative to organic waste management. Adding a microbial consortium further enhances the agronomical properties of the compost intended for fertilizing applications. Microbial-based fertilizers (plant growth-promoting microorganisms, PGPM) are a means to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of excessive or improper chemical fertilizer use, enhance the direct or indirect uptake of nutrients by plants, and add value to food waste. In a short-term pot experiment on iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), this study assessed the effects of compost and pelletized compost from brewers’ spent grain, both enriched with a microbial consortium. In a randomized block experiment, this study compared four organic BSG fertilizers to chemical fertilizer (NPK) and an unfertilized control treatment. The investigation indicates that BSG compost and BSG pelleted compost, with and without bio-inoculum, in general, are comparable to mineral fertilizer treatment; lettuce fresh weight was higher in pots amended with bioprocessed BSG, associated with more significant growth of soil LAB, fungi, and actinomycetes. The investigation outcomes support composting as an alternative recycling process for producing PGM for agricultural applications.

The potential use of brewers' spent grain-based substrates as horticultural bio-fertilizers

“…In our previous study (Assandri et al, 2023), we evaluated positively the short-term benefits, not only as amendments but also as fertilizers, arising from the use of BSG-based substrates on lettuce growth. Additionally, we observed that both the pelleted compost and pelleted microbial-enriched compost contribute to a more active and diverse soil microbial community compared to NPK fertilization, leading to an improvement in soil quality.…”

“…In our previous study (Assandri et al, 2023), we assessed the effects on lettuce growth in a short-term pot experiment, using plants as a test subject. BSG-based compost and pelletized compost, both enriched with a microbial consortium as fertilizers intended to replace chemical fertilizers, were compared.…”