Fereshteh Molavi 1 , Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush 1 , Ali Asghar Ebrahimi 1 , Mohsen Nabi-Meibodi 2 , Mehdi Mokhtari 1 Show Affiliations »
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transmission of pathogens such as fecal coliforms is regarded as a significant concern about using livestock manure in agricultural applications. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vermicomposting on fecal coliforms in cow manure containing co-trimoxazole as a widely used drug for cow diseases in animal husbandry. METHODS: Adaptation process of earthworms was carried out in two phases for 6 weeks; then, the main process was fulfilled in 9 weeks. The final weight of cow manure per reactor was 3.5 kg. 120 g of earthworms added to each reactor (approximately 280-300 numbers in the reactor). Co-trimoxazole was also prepared with a purity of 99% from Pakdarou Co., Iran, and added to the reactors at concentrations of 10, 20, 50, and100mg/kg. Organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, as well as phosphorus content of the reactors were measured. Fecal coliforms and parasite eggs were counted using standard laboratory methods (i.e. the Iranian Compost Standard) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The results revealed a decrease in organic carbon, C:N ratio, and co-trimoxazole content but a rising trend in TKN and phosphorus levels. The weight of earthworms also increased at the end of the process in all reactors, except for one case. A significant reduction was observed in fecal coliforms and parasite eggs at the end of the vermicomposting. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, earthworms could be active in cow manure vermicomposting including 10-100 mg/kg concentration of co-trimoxazole antibiotic. The vermicomposting seems to be an effective method for reducing fecal coliforms and parasites in cow manure. As well, co-trimoxazole in common concentration could not have any effects on the ability of earthworms. At the end of the vermicomposting, all parameters were placed within the ICS (National) - Grade 1. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019.
BACKGROUND: Transmission of pathogens such as fecal coliforms is regarded as a significant concern about using livestock manure in agricultural applications. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vermicomposting on fecal coliforms in cow manure containing co-trimoxazole as a widely used drug for cow diseases in animal husbandry. METHODS: Adaptation process of earthworms was carried out in two phases for 6 weeks; then, the main process was fulfilled in 9 weeks. The final weight of cow manure per reactor was 3.5 kg. 120 g of earthworms added to each reactor (approximately 280-300 numbers in the reactor). Co-trimoxazole was also prepared with a purity of 99% from Pakdarou Co., Iran, and added to the reactors at concentrations of 10, 20, 50, and100mg/kg. Organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, as well as phosphorus content of the reactors were measured. Fecal coliforms and parasite eggs were counted using standard laboratory methods (i.e. the Iranian Compost Standard) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The results revealed a decrease in organic carbon, C:N ratio, and co-trimoxazole content but a rising trend in TKN and phosphorus levels. The weight of earthworms also increased at the end of the process in all reactors, except for one case. A significant reduction was observed in fecal coliforms and parasite eggs at the end of the vermicomposting. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, earthworms could be active in cow manure vermicomposting including 10-100 mg/kg concentration of co-trimoxazole antibiotic. The vermicomposting seems to be an effective method for reducing fecal coliforms and parasites in cow manure. As well, co-trimoxazole in common concentration could not have any effects on the ability of earthworms. At the end of the vermicomposting, all parameters were placed within the ICS (National) - Grade 1. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019.
Entities: Chemical
Keywords:
Co-Trimoxazole; Cow manure; Earthworm; Fecal coliform; Vermicomposting
Year: 2020
PMID： 33312569 PMCID： PMC7721917 DOI： 10.1007/s40201-019-00404-8
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Environ Health Sci Eng