Assessment of the possibility of using waste from agri-food processing for fertilization purposes

In order to assess the possibility of using waste from agri-food processing for fertilization, residues in the form of apple pomace, carrot root, onion husks and dried nettle were selected for the tests. The research material came from food plants located in north-eastern Poland. In selected waste, the pH value, dry matter content, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and carbon were determined. It was found that apple pomace, carrot root and onion husk were acidic and dried nettle was alkaline. The nitrogen content in the tested waste ranged from 0.61 to 2.29%, phosphorus from 0.07 to 0.55%, and potassium from 0.19 to 3.72%. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the examined post-production residues are characterized by good fertilizer properties. However, it should be remembered that fertilizers or soil improvers must meet a number of requirements and above all, they must be safe for the environment

Kompostowanie ustabilizowanego komunalnego osadu ściekowego z pozostałościami z przetwórstwa rolno-spożywczego w Polsce

Stabilized municipal sewage sludge and selected waste from agri-food processing can be used for agricultural purposes, which is part of the circular economy. Therefore, chosen residues were tested for the possibility of using them for fertilisation purposes. They were then subjected to the process of composting in a bioreactor with artificial aeration. The compost mixtures were prepared to take into account their contents of, among others, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water; in the case of sewage sludge, the contents of biological contaminants and heavy metals were also determined. Based on the conducted studies, it has been found that organic waste from agri-food processing and stabilised municipal sewage sludge can be used in the composting process. At the same time, the obtained compost is characterised by good fertilising properties. Considering the physicochemical properties of the obtained compost, it was found that it can be a precious fertiliser used as a soil additive.Ustabilizowane komunalne osady ściekowe oraz wybrane odpady z przetwórstwa rolno-spożywczego mogą być wykorzystywane w celach rolniczych, co wpisuje się w zagadnienia gospodarki o obiegu zamkniętym. W związku z tym wybrane pozostałości zbadano pod kątem możliwości wykorzystania ich na cele nawozowe. Następnie poddano je procesowi kompostowania w bioreaktorze, ze sztucznym napowietrzaniem. Mieszanki kompostowe sporządzono biorąc pod uwagę zawartość w nich między innymi węgla, azotu, fosforu oraz wody, a w przypadku osadu ściekowego określono także zanieczyszczenia biologiczne i zawartość metali ciężkich. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań stwierdzono, że odpady organiczne z przetwórstwa rolno-spożywczego oraz ustabilizowane komunalne osady ściekowe mogą być wykorzystane w procesie kompostowania, a otrzymany kompost charakteryzował się dobrymi właściwościami nawozowymi. Biorąc pod uwagę właściwości fizykochemiczne otrzymanego kompostu stwierdzono, że może on stanowić bardzo cenny nawóz wykorzystywany jako dodatek do gleby

Assessment of selected physical and chemical properties of feed mixtures from by-products from agricultural and food processing

Celem pracy była ocena właściwości fizykochemicznych mieszanek paszowych sporządzonych z pozostałości poprodukcyjnych. Jako surowce posłużyły produkty uboczne z przetwórstwa owocowo-warzywnego. Mieszanki z łuski orzecha ziemnego i wytłoków jabłkowych charakteryzowały się różnym udziałem wytłoków jabłkowych (10% i 15%). Tak przygotowane pasze poddano badaniom fizykochemicznym i oznaczono: wilgotność, aktywność wody, kaloryczność, polifenole, białko, sód i potas. W zależności od dodatku wytłoków jabłkowych wilgotność mieszanek wynosiła powyżej 7%, aktywność wody około 0,4. Zawartość polifenoli określono na poziomie około 360 mg/100 g s.m. produktu, a białka powyżej 3%. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników stwierdzono, że badane mieszanki paszowe spełniają wymagania stawiane karmom dla drobiu.The purpose of the work was to prepare feed mixtures from production residues and assess their physicochemical properties. By-products from fruit and vegetable processing were used as raw materials. Mixtures of peanut husk and apple pomace were made. The mixtures were characterized by a different proportion of apple pomace (10% and 15%). The fod-ders prepared in this way were subjected to physicochemical tests and the following were determined: humidity, water ac-tivity, calorific value, polyphenols, protein, sodium and potassium. Depending on the addition of apple pomace, the mois-ture content of the mixtures was above 7%, and the water activity around 0.4. The polyphenol content was around 360 mg/100g mixtures and proteins above 3%. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the tested compound feeds can meet the requirements for poultry feeds

Densification and Combustion of Cherry Stones

The aim of the presented research was to determine the suitability of cherry stones as a solid fuel. Mixtures of cherry stones with the addition of 10%, 15%, and 20% rye bran as a binder were subjected to the pressure agglomeration process in a rotary matrix working system (170, 220, and 270 rpm). The density of pellets, their kinetic durability, and power demand of the granulator’s device for each mix were determined. The highest quality was characterized by pellets containing 20% rye bran, which were combusted in a 25 kW boiler with a retort grate. The concentration of CO, CO2, NO, SO2, HCl, and O2 in the exhaust gas was tested. On the basis of the results of combustion, high heating value (HHV), low heating value (LHV), and elemental analysis, it was found that pellets from cherry stones with the addition of rye bran can serve as a substitute for wood pellets in low-power installations

Analysis of the Possibility of Heavy Metal Ions Removal from Aqueous Solutions on Fruit Pomace

Pomace from apples, grapes, blackcurrants, and oranges is a waste product of fruit processing, which is formed during the production of juices. Pomace is a rich source of biologically active compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, or vitamins. They also contain pectin, cellulose, lignin, proteins, and minerals. All these components, apart from having many beneficial properties for human health, also show sorption properties towards heavy metal ions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the possibility of removing lead (II) and cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solutions by adding apple, grape, black currant, and orange pomace as well as to determine the adsorption efficiency of selected heavy metals. The studies were carried out in model systems. The results of the research showed that lead (II) and cadmium (II) ions are adsorbed on fruit pomace. The highest removal of cadmium (II) ions was observed in orange pomace and of lead (II) ions in apple pomace. The maximum tested cadmium ions absorption capacity was: 0.117235 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried apple pomace; 0.08618 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried currant pomace; 0.21915 m/g in the case of freeze-dried grape pomace and 0.29549 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried orange pomace. On the other hand, the maximum absorption of lead ions was: 0.457 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried apple pomace; 0.442 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried currant pomace; 0.3445 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried grape pomace and 0.421 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried orange pomace. On the basis of the performed measurements, it can be concluded that the tested waste can potentially be used as a cheap biosorbent for removing heavy metal ions from dilute aqueous solutions

Analysis of the Possibility of Heavy Metal Ions Removal from Aqueous Solutions on Fruit Pomace

Pomace from apples, grapes, blackcurrants, and oranges is a waste product of fruit processing, which is formed during the production of juices. Pomace is a rich source of biologically active compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, or vitamins. They also contain pectin, cellulose, lignin, proteins, and minerals. All these components, apart from having many beneficial properties for human health, also show sorption properties about heavy metal ions. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the possibility of removing lead (II) and cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solutions by adding apple, grape, black currant, and orange pomace as well as to determine the adsorption efficiency of selected heavy metals. The studies were carried out in model systems. The results of the research showed that lead (II) and cadmium (II) ions are adsorbed on fruit pomace. The highest removal of cadmium (II) ions was observed in orange pomace and of lead (II) ions in apple pomace. The maximum tested cadmium ions absorption capacity was, respectively, on each pomace: 0.117235 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried apple pomace; 0.08618 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried currant pomace; 0.21915 m/g in the case of freeze-dried grape pomace and 0.29549 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried orange pomace. On the other hand, the maximum absorption of lead ions in the case of individual pomace was: 0.457 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried apple pomace; 0.442 mg/g g in the case of freeze-dried currant pomace; 0.3445 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried grape pomace and 0.421 mg/g in the case of freeze-dried orange pomace. Based on the performed measurements, it can be concluded that the tested waste can potentially be used as a cheap biosorbent for removing heavy metal ions from dilute aqueous solutions

The organic and conventional food and ways of its marking

W artykule podjęto próbę odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy żywność ekologiczna oznacza lepszą i zdrowszą. Omówiono wpływ metody produkcji żywności na środowisko naturalne, a także wyjaśniono, czy etykieta żywności ekologicznej zapewnia bezpieczeństwo otrzymania takiego produktu.The paper consists a comparison of ecological and conventional food and ways of its marking. The question was answered: does ecological food is better and healthier? The impact of the food production method on the environment was discussed and there was explained whether the label of ecological food ensures safe receipt of such a product. It was found that the labeling of packaging for organic bio and some organic food is subject to strict European Union guidelines

CHANGES THE CONCENTRATION OF SELECTED PAHs IN URBAN SOILS FERTILIZED WITH MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGE

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the content of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban soils fertilized with municipal sewage sludge. The factors in the experiment were three lawns along the main roads in Bialystok (in Popieluszki, Hetmanska and Raginisa Strs.), doses of sewage sludge (0 – control; 75 and 150 Mg/ha) and two years of study (2011 and 2012). The studied parameters were monitored at the end of the growing season (in October 2011 and 2012) by determining fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene in soil samples. Furthermore, the dehydrogenase activity, the pH and organic carbon content of the soil were determined. Obtained content of studied PAHs in the urban soil does not exceed those contained in the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of September 9th, 2002 on soil quality standards and ground quality standards. The concentration of pyrene and chrysene differed significantly depending on the time of sampling and the localization. It has been shown that fertilization of soil sewage sludge revealed reduction of pyrene concentration in soil. Among 5 tested PAHs compounds, benzo[a]pyrene was the most dominant compound both in samples collected in 2011 and 2012 (28 and 27% respectively)

Assessment of the Physical Properties of the Fuel Pellets Formed from Post-Harvest Sage Waste with the Addition of Rye Bran

The paper presents the results of studies on the effect of rye bran addition (from 10 to 20%) on the course of the granulation process of post-harvest sage waste and on the quality of the obtained granulate (including its fuel properties). The granulation process was tested on the SS-4 test stand, with a P-300 granulator with a “flat matrix-compacting rollers” working system. The addition of rye bran causes a reduction of the power requirement of the granulator (from 3.75 to 3.19 kW) and a reduction of physical and bulk density, as well as an increase in its kinetic durability. We determined the higher heating value of sage (at 10% moisture content), 19.39 MJ/kg, and the lower heating value, 18.17 MJ/kg, thereby allowing us to state its high energy values. The addition of 20% of rye bran causes a decrease in the higher heating value by 2.07% and the lower heating value by 2.67%

CHANGES THE CONCENTRATION OF SELECTED PAHs IN URBAN SOILS FERTILIZED WITH MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGE

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the content of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban soils fertilized with municipal sewage sludge. The factors in the experiment were three lawns along the main roads in Bialystok (in Popieluszki, Hetmanska and Raginisa Strs.), doses of sewage sludge (0 – control; 75 and 150 Mg/ha) and two years of study (2011 and 2012). The studied parameters were monitored at the end of the growing season (in October 2011 and 2012) by determining fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene in soil samples. Furthermore, the dehydrogenase activity, the pH and organic carbon content of the soil were determined. Obtained content of studied PAHs in the urban soil does not exceed those contained in the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of September 9th, 2002 on soil quality standards and ground quality standards. The concentration of pyrene and chrysene differed significantly depending on the time of sampling and the localization. It has been shown that fertilization of soil sewage sludge revealed reduction of pyrene concentration in soil. Among 5 tested PAHs compounds, benzo[a]pyrene was the most dominant compound both in samples collected in 2011 and 2012 (28 and 27% respectively)