ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL GROUPS IN THE VERMICOMPOST OF FRUIT WASTE USING EUDRILUS EUGENIAE

Sumathi S. and Dr. Pawlin Vasanthi Joseph*

ABSTRACT

Environmental degradation is a major threat confronting the world and the rampant use of chemical fertilizers contributes largely to the deterioration of the environment through depletion of fossil fuels, generation of carbon dioxide and contamination of water resources. Vermicomposting, which involves the composting of organic wastes through earthworm activity, has proven to be successful in processing sewage sludge and solids. The objective of the research is to assess the presence of functional groups in the vermicompost through FTIR analysis and to estimate the degradability of fruit waste into useful manure through vermicomposting. Fruit waste used was banana and papaya in the vermicomposting process by Eudrilus eugeniae. Respective controls were maintained devoid of earthworms for a period of 60 days. FTIR Analysis was carried out on the 60th day. The vermicompost of banana waste showed strong peaks for the functional groups amides and amines. The vermicompost of papaya waste showed strong peaks for the functional groups ketone, aldehyde and amides. The results confirm that there is more reduction of aromatic structures, aliphatic and polysaccharides in the vermicompost using Eudrilus eugeniae.

Keywords: Vermicomposting, FTIR, Functional groups, Eudrilus eugeniae, fruit waste.