Management of food industry waste employing vermicomposting technology

This paper reports the vermicomposting of food industry sludges (FIS) mixed with different organic wastes employing Eisenia fetida. A total of 10 vermicomposting units containing different wastes combinations were established. After 15weeks significant increase in total nitrogen (Ntotal) (60–214%), total available phosphorous (Pavail) (35.8–69.6%), total sodium (Natotal) (39–95%), and total potassium (Ktotal) (43.7–74.1%), while decrease in pH (8.45–19.7%), total organic carbon (OCtotal) (28.4–36.1%) and C:N ratio (61.2–77.8%) was recorded. The results indicated that FIS may be converted into good quality manure by vermicomposting if spiked with other organic wastes in appropriate quantities.