OICC Press International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 2251-7715 13 5 2024 07 19 Biotransformation of varieties of food waste supplemented by bonemeal and eggshell powder using vermicomposting technology 10.57647/ijrowa-zc5n-zt90 EN Kishor Kumar Maharjan Department of Environmental Science, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal 0000-0002-8421-1475 Prakrit Noppradit Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand 0000-0002-2913-6564 Warangkana Jutidamrongphan Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand 0000-0001-5875-6845 Kuaanan Techato Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand 0000-0002-9178-8416 Rabindra Prasad Dhakal Department of Technology, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Lalitpur, Nepal Journal Article 2024 07 19 Purpose: The quality of compost is a significant concern worldwide. This study aims to improve vermicompost quality through the utilization of enriched materials. Method: This research aimed to evaluate the impact of bonemeal and eggshell powder treatments on the quality of vermicompost derived from three waste varieties: cooked tea waste, vegetable waste, and mixed food waste. The vermicomposting process was conducted in plastic containers, utilizing Eisenia fetida as the biological agent. The quality assessment included laboratory analyses and germination index tests using gram seeds. Results: The study revealed that the incorporation of bonemeal powder significantly increased nitrogen content, with increments of 12.84% for tea waste vermicompost, 61.51% for vegetable waste, and 65.70% for mixed food waste vermicompost. Vermicompost derived from tea waste exhibited particularly high nitrogen content. Eggshell powder not only mitigated acidity in the raw materials but also increased calcium content. Furthermore, all treatments resulted in germination index (GI) values exceeding 70% for gram seeds, indicating a reduced presence of phytotoxic compounds. Conclusion: The application of bonemeal powder positively influenced nitrogen content in the final vermicompost, while eggshell powder proved effective in maintaining an optimal pH level. These findings emphasize the potential of using these enriched materials to enhance the nutrient composition and reduce phytotoxicity in vermicompost, contributing to more sustainable composting practices.