Aerobic biodegradation of organic matter of swine waste: Fid-Bau Portal

Aerobic biodegradation of organic matter of swine waste

Blouin, M. / Bisaillon, J.-G. / Beaudet, R. / Ishaque, M.

AbstractDegradation of organic matter of swine waste is dependent on the metabolic activity of the indigenous microorganisms. Although the composition of the centrifuged wastes varied, a reduction of about 80% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) was obtained in each case when incubated at 37°C and 250 rpm without pH control. However, the time required by the indigenous mesophilic microflora for such stabilization of the waste was a function of the initial COD concentration. The agitation speed influenced the rate of organic matter degradation, while pH control between 7 and 8 and lowering the temperature to 22°C had no effect. The inoculation of selected strains isolated from treated waste or activated sludge to swine waste did not accelerate the degradation of organic matter. An adapted strain of Chaetomium cellulolyticum when inoculated in stabilized waste, reduced by a factor of two the remaining COD after 4 days of incubation. Samples from different environments were inoculated in stabilized waste and after incubation of these cultures dominant bacterial strains were isolated. When inoculated in stabilized waste these strains reduced only slightly the remaining COD. Optimization of degradation of organic matter of swine waste supernatant is possible but appears to be limited by the presence of substances of low degradability.