APPLICATION OF TEA WASTE(TW) AND MAP(MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC
PLANTS) WASTE IN ENRICHING VERMICOMPOST.
Abstract:
Tea Waste which is rich in lignin,having less amount of organic carbon appropriately combines with MAP(Medicinal and Aromatic plants) waste rich in phenolics and biocomponents that is produced during the industrial processing of medicinal and aromatic plants.Tea Waste (TW) is a popular beverage in the world with annual consumption of about 6.7 MT (Mahaly et al., 2022). In 2022, the production of tea in India alone was 1.34 MT, with annual consumption rate of 80.87% (http://www.teaboard.gov.in/pdf/Website_World_Tea_pdf7894.pdf). TW is also disposed in large quantities into the environment through daily drinking, instant tea extraction and ready-to-drink teas. Both MAP waste and TW have created environmental issues in the path of Solid Waste Management. These should be recycled using a sustainable method. Many investigations have been done in the field of bioremediation for removal of heavy metals since Tea Waste is a novel adsorbent, but little study has been done for its bioconversion (Hussain et al., 2018). TW has high lignin content and low amount of organic carbon.Tea waste has a very rich content, and in addition to its nutritional components such as fiber and protein, it also contains functional components, such as phenols, tannins, steroids, and saponins. Especially some types are accepted as a good source of proteins and have a variety of amino acids (Jiang et al., 2019; Kondo et al., 2018; Xu et al., 2021). MAP waste can be defined as a substantial quantity of solid waste rich in phenolics and biocomponents that is produced during the industrial processing of medicinal and aromatic plants (Chrysargyris et al., 2023a). Currently, substantial quantities of waste are produced during the distillation of essential oil from aromatic herbs (Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Cocos nucifera, Emblica officinalis, Ocimum sanctum, Mentha spp.), and other medicinal plants and these by-products must be recycled and transformed into value-added products (Gupta et al., 2018, Saha et al., 2018). Keywords:-Bioremediation,Bioconversion
Introduction:
Vermicompost is known to be the world's best fertilizer. Vermicomposting is a method of
preparing enriched compost with the use of earthworms. It is one of the easiest methods to recycle agricultural wastes and to produce quality compost. Earthworms consume biomass and excrete it in digested form called worm casts. Worm casts are popularly called as Black gold. The casts are rich in nutrients, growth promoting substances, beneficial soil micro flora and having properties of inhibiting pathogenic microbes. Vermicompost is stable, fine granular organic manure, which enriches soil quality by improving its physicochemical and biological properties. It is highly useful in raising seedlings and for crop production. Vermicompost is becoming popular as a major component of organic farming system. Using Vermicompost can fulfill the requirements for organically grown products. Objective:
The study focused on evaluating the influence of tea waste and aloevera peels on the NPK(Nitrogen,Potassium,Phosphorous) content and pH of Vermicompost prepared from cow dung , Earthworm species Eisenia fetida ,tea waste and aloevera peels.
Materials Required:
The CD is used as an amendment or a bulking agent as it is an efficient feed for earthworms in
vermicomposting (Soobhany et al., 2015). The selection of species of earthworms has a major role in governing the quality of vermicompost (Rajendran and Thivyatharsan, 2014). Most epigenic species of earthworms have a short life cycle with higher rate of fecundity and great tolerance to a wide range of solid wastes. Eisenia fetida is one such epigenic earthworm species which require sufficient amounts of organic material and dark conditions for its proper growth and development (Chaudhari and Bhattacharjee, 2002). E. fetida has been extensively used for vermiconversion of different agro-industrial wastes such as tannery sludge, rice straw and paper waste (Sharma and Garg, 2017). The researchers have been successful in the biotransformation of different agro-industrial wastes and regarded the process of vermicomposting as the most suitable tool for utilizing such residues, thus discouraging the use of inorganic fertilizers.
Rationale Of The Study:
MAP products find applications in various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, herbals, and agriculture, catering to the specific needs of individuals. In the 21st century, there is a heightened focus among individuals on health and environmental preservation, resulting in a significant increase in the utilization of herbal products. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the indispensable role of herbal remedies in achieving the goal of "Health for All" (Verma et al., 2019). The market for herbal products has experienced exponential growth, with estimations indicating a rise from US $120 billion to US $7 trillion by 2015 (Singh and Kumar, 2021). This trend is expected to continue, with the herbal products market projected to reach approximately USD (US $) 104.78 billion by 2026, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 6.5% (Bareetseng, 2022). Potential uses of MAP wastes depend on their physical characteristics and spectrum of chemical composition (Chrysargyris et al., 2023b). The extraction of essential oil from aromatic herbs through processes like steam and hydro-distillation, as well as the production of herbal drugs from different parts of MAPs, results in the generation of various solid and liquid residues. These residues can have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. In traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda, specific plant parts such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits are employed for treating various ailments. Consequently, the remaining parts after processing are left unused and become classified as MAP waste. Methodology:
The present study aimed to investigate the utilization of vermicomposting as a sustainable
approach for managing waste generated from MAPs. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather relevant information. Databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, and Wiley were systematically searched. To ensure a thorough retrieval of relevant references, a combination of keywords and phrases were employed.
Current status on use of MAP and Tea waste in vermicomposting:
The market for MAP products has increased tremendously in recent years. These products are manufactured and used in different sectors like cosmetic, agriculture, nutraceutical and healthcare industries (Cadar et al., 2021). As discussed earlier, a huge quantity of waste material is generated during the manufacturing of these MAP products as well from the tea wastes. The leftover biomass of MAPs retains plant nutrients and can produce high-quality vermicompost with increased levels of beneficial microorganisms .
MAP waste & TW vermicomposting: challenges and solutions:-
The comprehensive body of information presented and analyzed in this current compilation provides compelling evidence regarding the effectiveness of vermicomposting as a highly efficient and environmentally sound solution for managing MAP and Tea wastes.
The waste generated during MAP and Tea industrial operations, if managed inadequately can contribute to many undesibale risks to environment and inhabitants. These wastes, when disposed off improperly, release substantial amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG).
Conclusion:
The vermicompost serves as a valuable source of biofertilizers, significantly enhancing the
physiochemical and biological attributes of agricultural soil. The vermicomposting of the MAP wastes and Tea wastes offers even greater benefits owing to elevated levels of essential minerals and plant growth-promoting substances found in the resultant vermicompost. The application of vermicompost derived from medicinal plant waste and tea waste positively influences soil health, augmenting plant growth, yield, and quality. Acknowledgments:-
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the revered Swami Ramdev and Tata group of Tea for their inspiration. We would also like to offer words of thanks to Mr. Tarun Sharma for his backing.
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