Study on NPK Performance in Food Waste Composting by Using Agricultural Fermentation

Abstract

Food waste represents almost 60% from the total municipal solid waste disposed in the landfill. Alternative disposal method for food waste could be conducted by using composting method. In this study, investigationon food waste composting by using agricultural fermentation was carried out to find out the performance of the compost. Two types of compost were produced which were commercial compost and research compost and total of 8 reactors were tested during this study. Research compost consist of coconut fiber (decomposing medium) and the combination of salt and breadfruit peels as the fermentation liquid, while rice husk was used as decomposing medium for commercial compost along with fermented soybeanand brown sugar as fermentation liquid. Physical and chemical parameters which are temperature, pH value, moisture content, Total Nitrogen (N), Total Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) concentration were determined. Based on the results of 20 weeks composting, the overall temperature range from 27 ˚C to 45 ˚C which shown the active phase for composting occurred. On the other hand, during the period of composting, most of the pH value in each reactor is above 5 and approximately at neutral. This shown that the microbial respiration in the composting reactor was inhibited and had approached the mature phase. As for NPK content, Total Nitrogen value range from 98 ppm to 2268 ppm for commercial compost, while 84 ppm to 2240 ppm for research compost. Total Phosphorus has the values of0.871 ppm to 11.615 ppm for commercial compost and 1.785 ppm to 14.143 ppm for research compost. On the other hand, result for potassium is from 91.85 ppm to 645.55 ppm for commercial compost and from 133.95 ppm to 686.2 ppm for research compost. As a conclusion from the results obtained, the compost in this study is sufficient to be use for agricultural purposes and the best performance of NPK value was demonstrated by Reactor C2 from research compost.

Enhancing the economic potential of organic waste by co-composting using optimized mixing ratios toward a circular economy

“…For phosphorus, it is known that ideal phosphorus levels in compost range from 0.0003-0.0025% (Jamaludin, 2017). Minimum and maximum phosphorus content were 0.7% recorded in piles (3 and 6) and 3.1% recorded in pile 5, respectively, which were higher than the ranges predicted by Jamaludin, 2017.…”

“…Loss of potassium salts by extreme leaching can result in low potassium levels (Chatterjee et al, 2013). The ideal potassium levels in compost range from 0.013395-0.06862% (Jamaludin et al, 2017). Too much potassium is unwholesome for plants as it affects how the soil takes up other critical nutrients.…”

Enhancing Sustainable Waste Management Using Biochar: Mitigating the Inhibitory of Food Waste Compost from Methane Fermentation Residue on Komatsuna (Brassica rapa) Yield

“…For instance, methane-fermented compost may have nutrient content values like 5.6, 1.9, and 0.5, as reported [4]. According to [14], both commercial compost and research compost exhibit sufficient nutrient content for agricultural use. In commercial fertilizer, nitrogen content ranges from 98 ppm to 2268 ppm, phosphorus from 0.871 ppm to 11,615 ppm, and potassium from 91.85 ppm to 645.55 ppm.…”

Performance On Nitrogen Rich Component for Composting of Food Waste

“…Compost C had achieved a highest P concentration among all compost sample. The high P concentration value affect by the high loss of carbon happen during the decomposition of organic substances [10].…”