International Journal of Inventive Engineering and Sciences (IJIES)

ISSN: 2319–9598, Volume-1, Issue-10, September 2013

Effect of Drying on Vermicompost Macronutrient

Composition
M. M. Manyuchi., A. Phiri., P. Muredzi, N. Chirinda

Abstract— Vermicomposting is widely being used for The food wastes and earthworms were allowed to undergo
bio-conversion of organic wastes into bio-fertilizers. through the vermicomposting process in a vermi-reactor
Vermicompost which was obtained from various food wastes was described in detail by Manyuchi et al., [1]. In addition,
dried at 105◦C for 5 minutes in a moisture analyzer. The dried
vermicompost macronutrient composition was analyzed and
vermiwash, which is a leachate, was continually collected
quantified over the raw vermicompost. The dried vermicompost during this vermicomposting period. A trommel screen
total nitrogen content was 31.25% lower as compared to the raw earthworm separator was used for efficiently separating the
vermicompost whereas , the phosphorous and potassium content vermicompost from the earthworms before drying [10].
were 63.75% and 72.86% higher in the dried vermicompost
compared to the raw vermicompost respectively. Vermicompost B. Methods
can be dried for easier packaging, storage and transportation as The various food wastes were vermicomposted over 30 days.
the drying process in overall enhances nutritional value to the 5g of vermicompost was then dried using an AND moisture
vermicompost. analyzer from a moisture content of around 50% to moisture
content of 25% for 2 minutes at 105◦C. When considering
Key words— Drying, earthworms, food wastes, nutrient
composition, vermicompost
pelletizing and packaging of bio-fertilizers a 25% moisture
content is recommended. The moisture content in the
I. INTRODUCTION vermicompost sample was determined according to Equation
1:
Vermicomposting technology is widely being used as solid
waste management strategy [1]-[13]. Vermicomposting is the
bioconversion of any organic waste into vermicompost and
vermiwash by the use of earthworms [1]-[13]. Earthworms
feed on the organic waste into their gut whereby the waste The ammonical, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium
goes through a bio-conversion process by the action of nutrient composition of the raw and dried vermicompost was
enzymes within the earthworm gut [1]-[13]. The organic analysed and compared. The vermiwash from food wastes
waste is then expelled as vermicompost which is also termed nutrient composition is given in [11]. The nitrogen content
vermicasts [2], [10]-[11]. The vermicompost and vermiwash was measured by the Kjeldahl method (AOAC-920.87),
are rich in fertilizer macro and micronutrients such that they whereas the phosphorus content was measured by the
can be used as bio-fertilizers [4]. To date, vermicompost has Gravimetric Quimociac method (AOAC-962.02) and the
been applied as a bio-fertilizer in its raw form [3], [5], [8]. potassium content was measured using a Shimadzu 6800
This has challenges in terms of storage and packaging for sale atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
especially when there is mass production of vermicompost.
This study therefore focused on the possibility of drying III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
vermicompost as a storage measure for use and application at
medium to large scale ventures. Furthermore, the The raw vermicompost obtained was dark brown in color
macronutrient composition of the raw and dried and odorless (see Fig 1)
vermicompost was quantified.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Materials
Vermicompost was obtained from vermicomposting various
food wastes using Eisenia Fetida earthworms. Eisenia Fetida
earthworm species are an epigeic earthworm species which is
ideal for vermicomposting [1].

Manuscript received September, 2013.

Musaida Mercy Manyuchi, Department of Chemical and Process
Systems Engineering, Harare Institute of Technology, P O Box BE 277,
Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Anthony Phiri, Department of Chemical and Process Systems
Engineering, Harare Institute of Technology, P O Box BE 277, Belvedere,
Harare, Zimbabwe.
Perkins Muredzi, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Harare
Institute of Technology, P O Box BE 277, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Ngoni Chirinda, Director, Technology Center, Harare Institute of
Technology, P O Box BE 277, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe. Fig 1: Raw vermicompost from food wastes

1
 Effect of Drying on Vermicompost Macronutrient Composition

C. Variation in the potassium composition

The total potassium content increased by 72.86% upon
drying of the vermicompost as compared to the raw
vermicompost (see Fig 4). Abbey et al., [16] indicated a 45%
increase in the total potassium content upon oven drying
vermicompost and strongly indicated that dying does not
affect the quality parameters of the vermicompost. Instead,
drying of the vermicompost promoted mineralization and
nutrient release from dead cells and micro-organisms hence
the increased potassium content on drying [16].

Fig 2: Dried vermicompost from food wastes

Fig 4: Raw and dried vermicompost nutrient composition

The decrease in the total nitrogen content due to the drying of

the vermicompost is outweighed by the significant increase in
the phosphorous and potassium content upon drying (see Fig
4). Henceforth, drying of the vermicompost is recommended
especially for easier storage, package and packaging issues at
large scale operations.
Fig 3: Vermiwash obtained from food wastes
IV. CONCLUSION
A. Variation in the ammonical and composition
Vermicompost can be dried and packaged for easier storage
The ammonical composition decreased by 31.25% upon and transportation. Drying the vermicompost has a positive
drying of the vermicompost as compared to the raw impact on the vermicompost phosphorus and potassium
vermicompost (see Fig 4). Furthermore, the nitrogen content due to mineralisation and nutrient release from the
composition decreased by 31.25% upon drying of the dead cells from the drying process. However, the absence of
vermicompost as compared to the raw vermicompost (see Fig microbial activity in the vermicompost due to drying results in
4). The decrease in the moisture content from the raw to dried lowered nitrogen content.
vermicompost lowers the microbial activities hence the food
wastes can no longer be decomposed hence the reduced V. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ammonical nitrogen content [14]. Furthermore, the absence of
either earthworms or cocoons that have a potential of The Harare Institute of Technology is thanked for funding
progressing with the vermicomposting process naturally stops this work.
the microbial process hence lowered ammonical and nitrogen REFERENCES
compositions [15]. [1] M. M. Manyuchi, A. Phiri, N. Chirinda, P. Muredzi, J. Govha and T.
Sengudzwa, “Vermicomposting of Waste Corn Pulp Blended with
B. Variation in the phosphorous composition Cow Dung Manure using Eisenia Fetida”, World Academy of
Science, Engineering and Technology, 68, pp. 1306-1309, 2012.
The total phosphorous content increased by 63.75% upon [2] M. M. Manyuchi., T. Chitambwe., P, Muredzi and Kanhukamwe, Q,
drying of the vermicompost as compared to the raw “Continuous flow-through vermireactor for medium scale
vermicompost (see Fig 4). Abbey et al., [ref] indicated a vermicomposting”, Asian Journal of Engineering and Technology, 1
39.8% increase in the total phosphorous content upon oven (1), pp. 44-48, 2013.
[3] S. Quaik, A. Embrandiri, P. F. Rupani, R. P. Singh, M. H. Ibrahim,
drying vermicompost and strongly indicated that dying does “Effect of Vermiwash and Vermicomposting Leachate in
not affect the quality parameters of the vermicompost. Hydroponics Culture of Indian Borage (Plectranthusambionicus)
Instead, drying of the vermicompost promoted mineralization Plantlets”, UMT 11th International Annual Symposium on
and nutrient release from dead cells and micro-organisms Sustainability Science and Management, pp. 210-214, 2012.
hence the increased phosphorous content on drying [16].

2
 International Journal of Inventive Engineering and Sciences (IJIES)
ISSN: 2319–9598, Volume-1, Issue-10, September 2013

[4] M. M. Manyuchi, A. Phiri, P. Muredzi and S. Boka, “Comparison of

vermicompost and vermiwash bio-fertilizers from vermicomposting
waste corn pulp”, World Academy of Science, Engineering and
Technology, 78, pp. 365-368, 2013.
[5] A. A. Ansari and K. Sukhraj, “Effect of vermiwash and
vermicompost on soil parameters and productivity of okra
(Abelmoschus esculentus) in Guyana”, African J. Agricultural
Research, vol. 5 (14), pp. 1794-1798, 2010.
[6] M. M. Manyuchi., T. Chitambwe., A. Phiri., P, Muredzi and Q,
Kanhukamwe, “Effect of vermicompost, vermiwash and application
time on soil physicochemical properties”, International Journal of
Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 2013 (article in press).
[7] M. M. Manyuchi., L. Kadzungura., A. Phiri., P, Muredzi and Q,
Kanhukamwe, “Effect of vermicompost, vermiwash and application
time on soil micronutrients”, International Journal of Engineering and
Advanced Technology, 2 (5), pp. 215-218, 2013.
[8] M. M. Manyuchi., T. Chitambwe., A. Phiri., P, Muredzi and Q,
Kanhukamwe, “Effect of vermicompost, vermiwash and application
time on Zea Mays growth”, International Journal of Scientific
Engineering and Technology, 2 (7), 638-641, 2013.
[9] K. Muthukumaravel, A. Amsath and M. Sukumaran,
“Vermi-composting of vegetable wastes using cow dung”, E – J.
Chemistry, vol. 5 (4), pp. 810-813, 2008.
[10] M. M. Manyuchi and A. Phiri, “Effective separation of Eisenia fetida
earthworms from vermicasts using a cylindrical rotary trommel
separator”, International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology, 2013 (submitted for publication).
[11] M. M. Manyuchi., A. Phiri., P. Muredzi and N. Chirinda,
“Bio-conversion of food wastes into vermi-products”, International
Journal of Science and Modern Engineering, 2013 (article in press).
[12] A. A. Ansari and J. Rajpersaud, “Physicochemical changes during
vermicomposting of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and grass
clippings”, ISRN Soil Science, Article ID. 984783, pp. 1-6, 2012.
[13] S. Indrajeet, N. Rai and J. Singh, “Vermicomposting of farm garbage
manure in different combination”, J. Recent Advances in Applied
Sciences, vol. 25, pp. 15-18, 2010.
[14] A.Kiefer and J. Rivin, “The effects of storage on the quality of
vermicompost”, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2012.
[15] P. Pittaway, “What is a quality vermicompost”, National Centre for
Engineering in Agriculture, University of Southern Queensland,
Toowoomba, Can Do Sheet 7.
[16] L. Abbey., S. A. Rao., L. N. Hodgins and F. Briet, “Drying and
rehydration of vermicasts do not affect nutrient bioavailability and
seedling growth”, American Journal of Inventive Engineering and
Sciences, pp. 1-10, 2012.