4
M. Al-Sahari et al.
and composting process. The fermentation process can take place with presence or
absence of free water (Bhargav et al. 2008). The process is used to convert the wastes
with high contents of carbohydrates and proteins into useful organic fertilizers. In
the fermentation, the carbohydrates are converted anaerobically into acids, alcohol,
or gases via the hydrolysis enzymes produced by fungi, bacteria, and yeast (Bhargav
et al. 2008). The fermentation process is leading to produce lactic acid, acetic acid,
and butyric acid (Merfield 2012). Moreover, several factors should be considered for
getting high fermentation efficiency. Among these factors, the temperature should be
between 25 and 37 °C and pH between 4 and to 5.5 (Zulkeple et al. 2011). The temperature and pH factors affecting the fermentation process are based on their effect
on the microorganism growth. The fungi have a wide range in their growth between
20 and 55 °C, while bacteria might grow at temperature between 10 and 40 °C. The
extreme temperature and pH might affect negatively the microorganism metabolic
process which in role effect the fermentation process. In the composition process, the
organic materials are converted into carbon dioxide and water as a result of oxidation
process via bacteria and fungi (Merfield 2012). The composition process is a natural
process and takes place as a function of microorganism and thus the efficiency of this
process relies on the environmental factors such as temperature and which induce
or inhibit the microbial activity. The fermentation and composting of food waste is
common practice in order to reduce the quantities of the food wastes. The process
is not used only for the production of fertilizes but also aims to minimize the health
risk associated with the presence of infectious agents as well as the odor.
1.2.3.1 Treatment Using Effective Microorganisms
Several techniques have been suggested for the treatment of food waste. However,
EM technology which is used for treatment of different types of waste to convert
them into useful by-product have been high interesting in the recent years (Kale
and Anthappan 2012; Al-Gheethi 2015). EM is a consortium microorganism which
includes lactic acid and phototropic bacteria as well as yeast (Higa 2001). The consortium is used to ensure an effective composting process within a short period (Higa
2001). The treatment of food waste leads to reduce the load of solid and liquid wastes.
The composting period ranged from 2 to 20 weeks, however, with adding EM this
period might be shorted to be within 1–2 days (Jamaludin et al. 2016). The composting process takes place aerobically and anaerobically. Therefore, the consortium
microorganisms are used to have the ability to work under different conditions (Misra
et al. 2003).
The composting method consisted of traditional and rapid composting methods
(Misra et al. 2003). In the anaerobic decomposition, the materials are allowed to
remain in the pit without turning and watering for three months while in aerobic
decomposition. The composting process took place by itself without any additional
element. In the large-scale passive aeration compost method windrow is used to
mix the composting materials, to enhance passive aeration and to provide conditions
congenial for aerobic decomposition. Composting operations may take up to eight
M. Al-Sahari et al.
and composting process. The fermentation process can take place with presence or
absence of free water (Bhargav et al. 2008). The process is used to convert the wastes
with high contents of carbohydrates and proteins into useful organic fertilizers. In
the fermentation, the carbohydrates are converted anaerobically into acids, alcohol,
or gases via the hydrolysis enzymes produced by fungi, bacteria, and yeast (Bhargav
et al. 2008). The fermentation process is leading to produce lactic acid, acetic acid,
and butyric acid (Merfield 2012). Moreover, several factors should be considered for
getting high fermentation efficiency. Among these factors, the temperature should be
between 25 and 37 °C and pH between 4 and to 5.5 (Zulkeple et al. 2011). The temperature and pH factors affecting the fermentation process are based on their effect
on the microorganism growth. The fungi have a wide range in their growth between
20 and 55 °C, while bacteria might grow at temperature between 10 and 40 °C. The
extreme temperature and pH might affect negatively the microorganism metabolic
process which in role effect the fermentation process. In the composition process, the
organic materials are converted into carbon dioxide and water as a result of oxidation
process via bacteria and fungi (Merfield 2012). The composition process is a natural
process and takes place as a function of microorganism and thus the efficiency of this
process relies on the environmental factors such as temperature and which induce
or inhibit the microbial activity. The fermentation and composting of food waste is
common practice in order to reduce the quantities of the food wastes. The process
is not used only for the production of fertilizes but also aims to minimize the health
risk associated with the presence of infectious agents as well as the odor.
1.2.3.1 Treatment Using Effective Microorganisms
Several techniques have been suggested for the treatment of food waste. However,
EM technology which is used for treatment of different types of waste to convert
them into useful by-product have been high interesting in the recent years (Kale
and Anthappan 2012; Al-Gheethi 2015). EM is a consortium microorganism which
includes lactic acid and phototropic bacteria as well as yeast (Higa 2001). The consortium is used to ensure an effective composting process within a short period (Higa
2001). The treatment of food waste leads to reduce the load of solid and liquid wastes.
The composting period ranged from 2 to 20 weeks, however, with adding EM this
period might be shorted to be within 1–2 days (Jamaludin et al. 2016). The composting process takes place aerobically and anaerobically. Therefore, the consortium
microorganisms are used to have the ability to work under different conditions (Misra
et al. 2003).
The composting method consisted of traditional and rapid composting methods
(Misra et al. 2003). In the anaerobic decomposition, the materials are allowed to
remain in the pit without turning and watering for three months while in aerobic
decomposition. The composting process took place by itself without any additional
element. In the large-scale passive aeration compost method windrow is used to
mix the composting materials, to enhance passive aeration and to provide conditions
congenial for aerobic decomposition. Composting operations may take up to eight