Bio-conversion of Food Wastes into Vermicompost and Vermiwash
M. M. Manyuchi.1, A. Phiri.2, P. Muredzi3, N. Chirinda4
1Musaida Mercy Manyuchi, Department of Chemical and Process Systems Engineering, Harare Institute of Technology, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
2Anthony Phiri, Department of Chemical and Process Systems Engineering, Harare Institute of Technology, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
3Perkins Muredzi, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Harare Institute of Technology, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
4Ngoni Chirinda, Director, Technology Center, Harare Institute of Technology, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Manuscript received on September 05, 2013. | Revised Manuscript received on September 11, 2013. | Manuscript published on September 15, 2013. | PP: 1-2 | Volume-1, Issue-10, September 2013. | Retrieval Number: I0424081913/2013©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Vermicomposting technology is the bio-conversion of organic waste into bio-fertilizers using earthworms. Vermicomposting is widely being used for solid waste management. Various food wastes were vermicomposted over 30 days using Eisenia fetida earthworms. Vermicompost and vermiwash were obtained as vermi-products. The vermicompost nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium composition was 2.1%, 0.29% and 0.19% respectively. Whereas, the vermiwash only contained 0.58% nitrogen and 0.47% potassium. Vermicomposting technology is necessary as a food wastes management strategy.
Keywords: Eisenia fetida, food wastes, vermicomposting, vermiwash, vermi-products.