Assessing the potential used of effective microorganism (EM) in food waste composting and it's contribution to reduce the risk on human health

Zainal, Nurul Farah Nadirah (2018) Assessing the potential used of effective microorganism (EM) in food waste composting and it's contribution to reduce the risk on human health. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Food waste composting with effective microorganism (EM) helps to accelerate the composting process and reduce the unpleasant by-product or the production of residual sludge. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of homemade and commercial Effective Microorganism TM (EM) for the home scale co-composting and to measure the nutrient content of the compost as organic fertilizer that has less risk to human health. Methodology: Food waste was composed using commercial EM and homemade EM to identify the potential use of EM in composting method and the quality of compost in term of the nutrient content. The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks in dark and covered plastics bin to maintain the heat that produce from degradation process. Temperature, pH and moisture content were measured throughout the experiment. The colour and smell were observed once a week. For nutrient content, Potassium (K) and Phosphorus (P) were determined using Auto Analyzer and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, while Nitrogen (N) was measured using Carbon/Nitrogen/Sulphur Analyzer (TruMac CNS Analyzer). Result: The pH changes in the homemade EM were more stable compared to the commercial EM compost. After 8 weeks of the composting process, both composts were matured at the pH values of 6.00-8.00. Both composts have similar ranged of moisture content (72%) and temperature (20°C) at the end of experiment. Both of composts produced were well matured within 8 weeks. Compost with homemade EM showed significantly higher N content (3.12%) than the commercial EM (2.26 %). However, both composts have low phosphorus (0.001-0.002%) and potassium (0.004%) content. The sum of NPK content in the compost with homemade EM (3.13%) was higher than the commercial EM (2.27%), thus suggested the positive effect of EM to enhance the NPK of compost (>3%) to exert the fertilizing effect. Conclusion: EM application in composting has reduced the duration of composting process to 8 weeks and the compost product is potential to be used as organic fertilizer which is less risk to human health. Keywords: Effective Microorganism (EM), Food Waste, Composting

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2025 07:28
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2025 07:28
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2427

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