Physical, Chemical, Microbiological and Parasitological Parameters in a Composting System of Vegetable Solid Residues

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the physical, chemical, microbiological and parasitological parameters in a composting system of Vegetable Solid Residues (VSR). The work was carried out during four months and was constituted of a compost bed of 12 m3 of volume and the proportion used for its filing was of 6:1 (VSR: Sawdust). For the analysis of the microbiological and parasitological parameters16 sample collections were carried out for each parameter, at weekly intervals. The presence of Total Coliforms (TC), Thermotolerant Coliforms (TTC) and Intestinal Parasite Eggs (IPE). Regarding the physical and chemical parameters were analyzed: Temperature, pH and the Carbon and Nitrogen Relation (CNR). For the physical and chemical parameters the results revealed that there was a reduction in the CNR, with the final value of 14. The temperature presented little increase in the first five weeks, with the average value of 38.98°C and its stabilization in the last week with average value of 29.3°. The pH oscillated between neutrality to slightly acid. There was no reduction in the TC, but for the TTC there was a decrease in its count of 98.54%. In relation to the IPE, the composting system was capable of inactivating and eliminating them.