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Updated: Sep 7, 2025

Free Radicals in Chemical Biology: from Chemical Behavior to Biomarker Development
Published on: April 15, 2013
Extensive production and evolution of free radicals during composting
Ruizhi Xing1, Xinggui Yang1, Hanyue Sun1
1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
Abstract:
The production of free radicals has been widely documented in natural systems, where they play an important role in most organic matter and contaminants transformation. Here, the production and evolution of free radicals were systematically investigated during composting. Results indicated that multiple reactive oxygen species and environmentally persistent free radicals (G-factor 2.003-2.004) were generated with dynamic changes during composting. The ·OH yield fluctuated significantly with a maximum content of 365.7-1,262.3 μmol/kg at the thermophilic phase of composting, which was closely correlated with the changes of Fe (II) (Pearson's r = 0.928-0.932) and the electron-donating capacity of humus (Pearson's r = 0.958-0.896) during composting. Further investigation suggested that microorganisms driven iron/humus redox conversion could contribute to the production and dynamic changes of free radical during composting. These findings highlight the abiotic processes involving free radicals, and provide a new perspective for humification and contaminants removal during composting.
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