Effect of on-farm poultry litter composting processes on physicochemical, biological, and toxicological parameters and reduction of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli

OKADA, ELENA; YOUNG, BRIAN JONATHAN; PÉREZ, DÉBORA JESABEL; PELLEGRINI, MARÍA CELESTE; CARCIOCHI, WALTER DANIEL; LAVALLÉN, CARLA MARIELA; PONCE, ALEJANDRA GRACIELA; DOPCHIZ, MARCELA CECILIA; HERNÁNDEZ GUIJARRO, KEREN; FRANCO, MARÍA DEL ROCÍO; DI MARTINO, ANA MARÍA; RIZZO, PEDRO FEDERICO

WASTE MANAGEMENT (ELMSFORD)

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2024 vol. 174 p. 310 - 319

0956-053X

Poultry litter is a valuable source of nutrients for crop production, but its use in agriculture can lead to environmental and public health concerns due to the presence of pollutants, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). We compared the effect of different on-farm poultry litter composting processes on physicochemical, biological, and toxicological parameters, as well as on the occurrence of antibiotics and resistant Escherichia coli. The composting treatments consisted of passively-aerated piles C:N = 19 (PAC19), mechanically-aerated piles C:N = 19 (MAC19), and mechanically-aerated piles C:N = 30 (MAC30). Poultry litter composting led to a significant reduction of antibiotic residues, enteroparasites and antibiotic resistant E. coli. The conditions of the process, such as extra C source and mechanical aeration influence the quality of the final product. MAC19 is a low-cost effective method to reduce the potential risks associated with poultry litter use in agriculture and produce good quality compost.