
	Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences
	Year: 2010 \| Volume: 13 \| Issue: 20 \| Page No.: 985-992 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2010.985.992

Chemical, Physical and Microbiological Changes during Composting of the Water Hyacinth

K. Umsakul, Y. Dissara and N. Srimuang

Abstract: An investigation of the physical, chemical and microbial population changes that occurred during the composting of water hyacinth was carried out. After 11 weeks of composting, the compost turned black, had decomposed and had no smell. The pH was 7 and the highest temperature reached, of 40°C occurred in the first week. The initial carbon/nitrogen ratio was 17.61 and this increased to 18.12 by the end of the composting. The coliform population declined greatly from 8.11 to 5.85 MPN (log)/g and fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli were not detected in the final product. Bacteria were the dominant microbes in the compost followed by actinomycetes and fungi. Mesophillic microorganisms were present in higher numbers than thermophillic microorganisms throughout the composting. The highest cellulase and xylanase activities in the compost of 6.67 and 10.24 U/kg DW, respectively were detected in the second week which was related to the temperature. Bacillus sp. strain B4 was isolated and investigated for cellulase and xylanase using agro-industrial residues as substrates during Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) processes. Corncob and rice straw were good substrates for the production of the enzymes with a maximum cellulase of 1.19 U/gDW and xylanase activity of 2.54 U/g DW, respectively. The activities of both enzymes were stable and maximum at 50°C. This study indicated that agro-industrial residues should be mixed with water hyacinth for composting to facilitate the development of a thermophilic phase during the composting process and to improve the product. Bacillus sp. strain B4 can be used as a starter strain.

PDF Fulltext XML References Citation Report Citation

RELATED ARTICLES:

•	Quality Assessment of Commercially Produced Composts in Saudi Arabia Market

•	Soil Fertility Restoration Potentials of Tithonia Green Manure and Water Hyacinth Compost on a Nutrient Depleted Soil in South Western Nigeria Using Zea mays L. as Test Crop

How to cite this article:

K. Umsakul, Y. Dissara and N. Srimuang, 2010. Chemical, Physical and Microbiological Changes during Composting of the Water Hyacinth. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 13: 985-992.

DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2010.985.992

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2010.985.992

COMMENT ON THIS PAPER

Navigation


		Online First
		Current Issue
		Previous Issues
		Editorial Board
		Submit a Manuscript
		Guide to Authors
		Subscribe to E-alerts

Indexed In


		AGRIS
		ASCI-Database
		Asian Digital Library
		Cambridge Scientific Abstract
		Google Scholar
		ISI Web of Knowledge
		PubMed

Science Alert