Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map
 
Supplier Map
Service Map

Publications

Publication Details

Applicant:
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna 
Author:
Swati, A. and S. Hait 
Corresponding Authors:
S. Hait 
DOI #:
https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2017.07.0265 
Title:
A Comprehensive Review of the Fate of Pathogens during Vermicomposting of Organic Wastes 
Journal:
Journal of Environmental Quality 
Year:
2018 
Volume:
47 
Page:
16 
Keywords:
Vermicomposting, Organic Wastes 
Abstract:
Management of both municipal and industrial organic wastes remains a major threat to biota and the environment due to the presence of pathogens in abundance. Vermicomposting employing earthworms is increasingly gaining attention as a sustainable and ecofriendly technique to transform and sanitize a variety of organic wastes into nutrient‐rich biofertilizer. Although considerable research has been undertaken to show that vermicomposting can significantly reduce pathogenic contents, there is little effort to summarize the various mechanisms responsible for it. With the aim to assess the fate of pathogens during vermicomposting of various organic wastes, this article provides a comprehensive summary on the occurrence of pathogens in a variety of wastes vis‐à‐vis pathogens standards, the efficacy of the process for pathogen reduction, and current knowledge of the plausible mechanisms involved. It is evident from the present study that earthworms and endosymbiotic microbes during vermicomposting tend to eliminate pathogens by enhancing enzymatic activities in both gut‐ and cast‐associated processes. Pathogen reduction during vermicomposting can be plausibly attributed to direct actions like microbial inhibition due to intestinal enzymatic action, and secretion of coelomic fluids with antibacterial properties, as well as indirect actions like stimulation of endemic microbes leading to competition and antagonism, and aeration by burrowing activity. Further, the pathogen reduction during vermicomposting is largely selective, and earthworms exert a differential effect according to the earthworm species and whether the pathogen considered is Gram‐positive or ‐negative, owing to its cell wall composition. However, further research is necessary to understand the exact mechanisms involved for pathogen reduction during vermistabilization of municipal and industrial organic wastes. 
Entered by:
Physics Head on 2020-08-03 
 
THE VISION
THE MISSION
ABOUT I-STEM
It has always been the basic tenet of the Government of India, in generously funding R&D efforts at academic institutions over the years, that facilities established through such support be made available to those needing them and qualified to make use of them for their own research work
read more >>

However, this was never easy or straightforward for, among other reasons, there was no ready source of information of what facility was available and where. Thanks to the Web, it is much easier today to have a national and regional “inventory of resources”, so as to match users with the resources they need, and to do all this in an efficient and transparent manner.

This can lead to a leap in R&D productivity and greatly enhance the effectiveness of public investment. This is the motivation behind I-STEM.
read less <<
Visitor Hit Counter
Hosted at Indian Institute of Science
Copyright © 2024 I-STEM. All rights reserved.
Audited by: STQC Bengaluru.