Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock
Published on: May 6, 2010
Cellulolytic bacteria joined with deproteinized whey decrease carbon to nitrogen ratio and improve stability of
Antonio Alfonzo1, Vito Armando Laudicina1, Sofia Maria Muscarella1
1Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze 4, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
Abstract:
Composting residues from wine and dairy chains would contribute to increase the environmental sustainability of the production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of deproteinized whey combined with bioactivators on the composting process. Bacillus velezensis and Kocuria rhizophila, bacteria with cellulolytic activity, were isolated from raw materials and inoculated in the organic mass to be composted. Piles moistened with deproteinized whey showed the highest reduction of total and dissolved organic carbon due to the stimulation of bacterial activity by nitrogen compounds held within deproteinized whey. Such findings were also confirmed by the speed up of the microbial carbon mineralization. Bioactivators and deproteinized whey speeded up the composting process and returned compost characterized by high stability and quality. The addition of available N is crucial to improve the composting process and can act even better if combined with cellulolytic bacteria.
Related Concept Videos
Bioremediation
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry
Microbial Fermentation
Amino Acid Catabolism

