Effects of compost from food waste on growth of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa Var. Crispa  L.)

Kumngen, Aunkamol; Iewkittayakorn, Jutarut; Meehae, Usmana; Suwannarat, Sudarat; Anuchan, Sujunya; Chotigeat, Wilaiwan; Kunwanlee, Pattamavadee; Kongchouy, Noodchanath; Leunram, Siwapong; Karrila, Seppo

doi:10.30486/ijrowa.2022.1960507.1481

Original Article

Effects of compost from food waste on growth of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa Var. Crispa L.)

Authors

Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Agricultural Innovation and Management Division, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Division of Computation Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
BIOAXEL Co., Ltd., Koh Sa-mui, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Faculty of Science and Industrial Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus, Surat Thani 84000, Thailand

Abstract

Purpose Thailand generates approximately 18 million tons of urban food waste per year, which is disposed of with municipal waste and largely goes to landfills. However, this approach not only takes up a large area but also causes environmental problems. The easiest way to manage food waste is by separating it at the source and composting it. Bioaxel Co., Ltd. has developed an innovative approach for composting food waste, with the output commercially marketed as “BA compost”. However, the use of BA compost has not been independently studied.
Methods BA compost was mixed with soil in various proportions (0% – 70% v/v) for planting lettuce to find the proper BA proportion. Growth characteristics and nutrient contents were investigated.
Results The BA compost improved the soil nutrients. 10% BA compost in soil gave the highest growth parameters among the proportions tested, with the highest root length (21.83 ± 0.83 cm), plant length (30.00 ± 1.00 cm), number of leaves (23.33 ± 1.15 leaves), thickness (12.47 ± 0.57 mm), width of bush (26.33 ± 0.58 mm), fresh plant weight (113.03 ± 1.28 g), dry plant weight (4.58 ± 0.14 g), chlorophyll a and b (0.38 and 0.38 mg/mL), carotenoid (155.28 mg/mL), protein (443.38 μg/mL), carbohydrate (4,321.31 μg/mL) and reducing sugar (683.33 μg/mL).
Conclusion BA compost from food waste demonstrated its potential in sustainable food waste management and could be used as a fertilizer. It supports an environmentally closed-loop approach to return the food waste back to the source as plant food.

Highlights

The easiest way to manage food waste is by separating it at the source and composting it.
Bioaxel Co., Ltd. has developed an innovative approach for composting food waste.
The food waste compost obtained from Bioaxel machine is commercially marketed as “BA compost”.
10% BA compost in soil gave the highest growth parameters among the proportions tested.
BA compost from food waste demonstrated its potential in sustainable food waste management and could be used as a fertilizer