Composting of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) husk: Physicochemical and spectroscopic characterisation
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Date
2017
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CentrePoint, University of Ilorin
Abstract
Bean husk is one of the waste products generated during bean processing, which are often improperly disposed on farmlands. In order not to be a nuisance and consequently lead to environmental pollution, an environmentally friendly approach of managing this waste material is essential. Composting was chosen as the approach because of the biodegradable nature of the waste material. Thus, in this study bean husk was composted and the changes that took place in the material during the composting process were evaluated. The study was carried out for ten (10) weeks, and the changes in the pH, temperature ( , moisture content (%), electrical conductivity ( S/cm), total carbon to nitrogen ratio, and the loss in weight (%) were monitored. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also used to study the changes in the waste material during the composting process. The results showed that the pH ranged from 7.03 - 9.40, while the temperature, moisture content, electrical conductivity, carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio ranged from 26.33 - 29.70 , 25.18 - 31.39 %, 146.70 - 247.86 S/cm, 35.25 - 74.18 respectively. The loss in weight was from 32.91 - 60.00 %. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of C- O, aromatic C=C, aliphatic C-H stretching vibrations at about 1200- 950cm-1, 1500-1650 cm-1, and 3000-2800 cm-1 respectively, which are typical functional groups in lignocellulosic materials like the beans husk. This study shows that the waste bean husk can be composted, as the results obtained are consistent with previous studies.
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Keywords
Waste material, compost, bean husk, FTIR analysis
Citation
Centrepoint Journal (Science Edition) 23 (2): 91-106.