Information from the abstract
Interest in biodigester technology for converting organic waste into agriculturally valuable products has grown in response to food waste in institutional settings. However, the effects of tropical seasonal variation on the quality and safety of biodigester outputs remain poorly understood. This study assessed the physicochemical properties, heavy metal content, microbial safety, and phytotoxicity of soil amendments and nutrient solutions produced from canteen food waste during the summer and rainy seasons, evaluated at the level of the true experimental unit ( n = 3 composite samples per season). When analyzed with appropriate replication, most physicochemical parameters did not differ significantly between seasons. Potassium was the main exception, showing significantly higher levels in the rainy season in both the soil amendment (0.061%–0.105%) and the nutrient solution (0.039%–0.112%). Nutrient solution temperature also decreased significantly (31.13 °C–29.06 °C). Apparent seasonal trends in soil-amendment temperature, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and electrical conductivity were not statistically significant and should be confirmed with greater replication. Organic matter (~73%) and total organic carbon (~42%) remained consistent. Heavy metals were within regulatory limits; cadmium was detected only in rainy season samples at trace levels. Microbiological assessment revealed Escherichia coli counts of 10 6 –10 7 MPN/g in the soil amendment, surpassing safety thresholds, while the nutrient solution contained fewer than 1 MPN/mL and was free of Salmonella spp. Clostridium perfringens remained at low levels throughout both seasons; however, because microbiological analyses were based on a single composite sample per season ( n = 1), no seasonal trend could be statistically determined. Germination percentage (%Germination) did not exceed 80% at any dilution ratio, confirming persistent phytotoxicity; dilutions of 1:30–1:50 yielded meaningful improvements. These findings indicate that seasonal variation had a limited statistically significant effect on most output properties, with potassium in both fractions and nutrient solution temperature as the principal exceptions. Regardless of season, the soil amendment requires further stabilization before field application. Season-specific monitoring and appropriate pre-application treatment remain essential for the safe use of biodigester-derived products in tropical agricultural systems.
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Related topics: Composting and Vermicomposting Techniques · Landfill Environmental Impact Studies · Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production
Thai researcher and institutional participation
Supassara Panuwittayanusorn · Nuta Supakata · Nuttakorn Intaravicha · Chulalongkorn University · Thailand Graduate Institute of Science and Technology · Asian Institute of Technology
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