Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of rapid vermicomposting of different fresh fruit and vegetable wastes (FVWs) including banana peels, cabbage, lettuce, potato and watermelon peels using earthworm Eisenia foetida. For this, the changes of physicochemical properties, microbial profiles and earthworm biology were comprehensively evaluated after vermicomposting for 4 weeks. Compared to controls (without earthworms), vermicomposting caused reductions of the total carbon content by 42.7-52.4% and the carbon to nitrogen ratios by 46.5-61.1%, and increases of the electrical conductivity by 6.7-69.4% and the total phosphorous content by 4.0-52.0%. Vermicomposting revealed a higher microbial activity, density and diversity in end products than controls. The vermicomposting treatment for FVWs allowed a high growth rate of earthworms and an increased number of cocoons. Similar microbial community structures were observed in all vermicomposts, indicating a high degree of bio-stabilization and maturity. The results suggest that rapid vermicomposting is a feasible technology for converting fresh FVWs into valuable products and that the quality of vermicomposts is strongly associated with the properties of initial substrates.
