Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 35(2): 121-129, doi: 10.9755/ejfa.2023.v35.i2.3012
Stability and maturity indexes of organic fraction compost
expand article infoHabib Lamourou, Nisaf Karbout, Zied Zriba, Inès Rahma Zoghlami
‡ Arid Regions Institute-Medenine-Tunisia, 2 University of Gabes, City Center, Omar Khattab-Tunisia, Tunisia
Open Access
Abstract

Composting is an environmentally friendly way to turn wastes into useful product (compost). This study aimed to monitor various chemical,
physical, and biological parameters over the course of the co-composting of three organic compounds. In this context, 55 kg (55%) of
green waste (GW) were co-composted with 40 kg (40%) of poultry manure at 40 kg (40%) and 5 kg (5%) green waste biochar (GWB).
The monitoring of this experiment continues until the final product is stable. According to several previous studies, it was generally
agreed that it was better to employ a combination of multiple tests to be sure that the compost has really reached a state of maturity
and stability. During this study, a series of tests were used to determine the maturity and stability of co-composting organic wastes for
safe use. Tests used during this follow-up include the pile temperature, pile moisture, pH, total nitrogen, total carbon, C/N ratio, microbial
activity (CO2 emission), germination index, and a scanning electron microscopy. According to the results of tests carried out during this
experiment, the compost had attained maturity on the 54th day from the beginning of the composting.