Spectroscopic analysis of vermicompost for determination of nutritional quality

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2015 Jan 25:135:252-5. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2014.07.011. Epub 2014 Jul 10.

Abstract

Spectroscopic analysis has been carried out to examine the compost quality, maturity and nutritional levels of vermicompost and compost of Eichhornia. 50% Eichhorniacrassipes and 50% cow dung mixtures were vermicomposted using earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) and collected on different days' time intervals. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra reveal the presence of humic substance from compost and vermicompost, which improves the soil fertility. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis shows maximum level of Benzene propanoic acid (95.98%) and by 2-Propanone, 1-Phenyl-, OXIM (10.10%) from vermicompost through earthworms activity. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) results reported high level of micronutrient from Eichhornia mediated compost and vermicompost.

Keywords: Compost; Eichhornia; FT-IR; GC–MS; Vermicompost.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Cattle
  • Eichhornia / chemistry
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Micronutrients / analysis
  • Nutritive Value*
  • Oligochaeta / chemistry*
  • Soil / chemistry*
  • Spectrophotometry, Atomic
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

  • Micronutrients
  • Soil