Valorization of Orange Peel Waste Using Precomposting and Vermicomposting Processes

Lorena De Medina-Salas, Mario Rafael Giraldi-Díaz, Eduardo Castillo-González and Laura Elena Morales-Mendoza
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Lorena De Medina-Salas: Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Circuito Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, Zona Universitaria, Xalapa 91040, Veracruz, Mexico
Mario Rafael Giraldi-Díaz: Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Circuito Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, Zona Universitaria, Xalapa 91040, Veracruz, Mexico
Eduardo Castillo-González: Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Veracruzana, Circuito Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, Zona Universitaria, Xalapa 91040, Veracruz, Mexico
Laura Elena Morales-Mendoza: Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Circuito Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, Zona Universitaria, Xalapa 91040, Veracruz, Mexico

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: The industrialization process of oranges generates waste, which is inadequately disposed of; this produces adverse effects on the environment. Among the alternatives for valorization is the vermicomposting process, which consists of the degradation of organic waste through the action of earthworms and microorganisms. Therefore, this research aimed to study this process using orange peel (OP) waste at the laboratory level. For this purpose, it was necessary to determine the degradation conditions through the monitoring of physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, humidity, organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio). To balance the substrate’s nutrients, load material (LM) that included vegetable waste and eggshells was added to three different mixtures: M1 (50% OP + 50% LM), M2 (40% OP + 60% LM) and M3 (60% OP + 40% LM). To condition the substrate for earthworm ( Eisenia fetida ) activity, a previous precomposting process was performed. The results showed that all the mixtures fulfilled the requirements for a quality and mature vermicompost; however, the highest concentrations for TN were in the mixtures M1 and M2. The total time required for degradation of the OP waste was 13 weeks.

Keywords: precomposting; vermicomposting; orange peel waste; Eisenia fetida (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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