Use of Vegetable Peel Waste for Biofertilizer Production

Use of Vegetable Peel Waste for Biofertilizer Production

peels has created significant environmental

Shefali Singh

Department of Biosciences and ICEIR-3, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi road, Lucknow, 226026, Uttar Pradesh, India

Shifa Suhail

Department of Biosciences and ICEIR-3, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi road, Lucknow, 226026, Uttar Pradesh, India

Smita Rai

Department of Biosciences and ICEIR-3, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi road, Lucknow, 226026, Uttar Pradesh, India

ReenaVishvakarma

Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Science, Integral University,

Kursi road, Lucknow, 226026, Uttar Pradesh, India

Poonam Sharma

Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Science, Integral University,

Kursi road, Lucknow, 226026, Uttar Pradesh, India

Swati Sharma

Department of Biosciences and ICEIR-3, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi road, Lucknow, 226026, Uttar Pradesh, India

sw_sh@rediffmail.com

Abstract

The fast-growing production of waste from agricultural activities and food processing operations especially concerning vegetable

concerns. The wastes from agricultural activities contain rich nutrient levels and bioactive materials which allow their transformation into biofertilizers. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using vegetable peel waste as an ingredient for biofertilizer production through enrichment culture methods. This study examines the specific peel varieties and microbial strains used in processing methods while measuring their effects on soil fertility and crop production. Utilizing peel waste according to circular economy principles helps push sustainable agriculture forward while reducing landfill waste and promoting environmental health.

Keywords:Biofertilizer, vegetable peel, sustainable agriculture, food waste management

1. INTRODUCTION

   Population growth and changes in diet (UNISEF., 2021) serve as mainstays in the food supply, therefore worsening food scarcity and insecurity[1] as these phenomena are threatening human life. The emergence of sustainable agriculture has sparked new interest in biologically-based substitutes for chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizerswill serve as one, as they contain beneficial microorganisms that will improve soil health and therefore allow plants to be more easily cultivated[2].Additionally, the disposal of organic waste particularly from vegetable

   peel waste is an environmental problem that is important to address. Excessive disposable of organic waste from household, retailing, and food processing vehicles is observed through vegetable peels of bananas, potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and other vegetables which can potentially impact land and water bodies, if not handled correctly[3].These waste products could be direct targets of composting (using a fermentation process with effective microbial inoculants Trichoderma, Azotobacter, or Bacillus) to generate potentially rich biological fertilizers. Although there are benefits, microbial contamination and standardization of the process are some issues. However, with appropriate management and technological enhancement, vegetable peel biofertilizers are a feasible and sustainable alternative to modern agriculture and environmental issues.

2. COMPOSITION OF VEGETABLE PEELS

   Vegetable peels, often considered as kitchen waste, are in fact a rich source of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds that contribute significantly to soil fertility and plant health when recycled or composted. Common peels such as those from banana, potato, carrot, onion, and tomato possess a valuable nutritional profile.

   1. MACRONUTRIENTS

      Vegetable peels are abundant in macronutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)collectively known as NPK. These are critical for plant growth:

      • Nitrogen aids in leaf and stem development.

      • Phosphorus supports root growth and flowering.

      • Potassium enhances overall plant vigor and disease resistance.

   2. MICRONUTRIENTS

      In addition to macronutrients, peels also contain trace elements such as Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), and Magnesium (Mg). These micronutrients play vital roles in enzymatic functions, chlorophyll synthesis, and metabolic processes in plants.

   3. BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS

      Peels are rich in phenolic compounds and antioxidants, which have antimicrobial properties and contribute to the health of the soil microbiome. These compounds can enhance the soil's ability to support beneficial microbes and suppress pathogens.

   4. ORGANIC MATTER

      High in organic matter, vegetable peels improve soil texture, water retention, and aeration. They provide a carbon source for soil microorganisms, thereby enhancing microbial activity, which is crucial for nutrient cycling and soil fertility.

3. BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION METHODS AND ROLE OF MICROBIAL INOCULANT

   Biofertilizers are natural substances containing living microorganisms, alternative to chemical fertilizer, promotes to plant growth and yield.

   1. SOLID-STATE COMPOSTING- It

      is a biological process which converts organic wastes into useful compost. Vegetables peels are rich in carbon source (e.g., dry leaves) and also inoculated beneficial microbes such as Trichodermahazianum and Bacillus subtilis which promotes decomposition and nutrient release.

   2. LIQUID FERMENTATION- Also

      called as submerged fermentation, It is a wet compost where vegetable peels are cut down in liquid media along with microorganisms.

   3. VERMICOMPOSTING-

      Incorporating earthworms (e.g., Lumbricusterrestris) that breakdown organic matter into nutrient rich compost.

      Vegetable peels (e.g., tomato, potato, cucurbits etc.) uses as a waste make biofertilizer, microbial inoculants play an important role in converting the waste into rich nutrient components.

      TABLE I: Biofertilizer Production

      Techniques and The Functional Role Of Microbial Inoculants In Sustainable Agriculture

      Biofer tilizer Type	Prod uctio n Meth od	Microbi al Inocula nt Used	Role of Microb ial Inocul ant	Refe renc es
      Nitrog en- fixing Biofert ilizers	Sterili zed broth media ferme ntatio	Rhizobiu m, Azotoba cter, Azospiril lum,	Conver ts atmosp heric nitroge n into a	[4]

      	n in biorea ctors	Anabaen a	plant- usable form (ammo nia)
      Phosph	For	Bacillus,	Conver	[5]
      ate-	subm	Pseudo	ts
      solubil	erged	monas,	insolub
      izing	or	Aspergil	le
      Biofert	solid-	lus	phosph
      ilizers	state		ates
      	ferme		into
      	ntatio		soluble
      	n		phosph
      	utilizi		ates for
      	ng		plant
      	rock		uptake
      	phosp
      	hate
      	substr
      	ates
      Potassi	Utiliz	Bacillus	Activat	[6]
      um-	ing	mucilagi	es and
      solubil	mica	nosus,	release
      izing	or	Frateuri	potassi
      Biofert	feldsp	aauranti	um
      ilizers	ar-	a	from
      	based		soil
      	substr		minera
      	ates		ls
      	ferme
      	ntatio
      	n
      Mycor	Grow	Glomus	Increas	[7]
      rhizal	n in	spp.	e
      Biofert	pot-	(AM	nutrien
      ilizers	based	fungi)	t and
      	syste		water
      	ms		uptake
      	with		by

      ilizers

      ost with specif ic micro bial strain s

      bacteria and fungi

      n, nutrien t content , and microb ial diversit y of compo st

4. BENEFITS OF PEEL-BASED BIOFERTILIZERS

   TABLE II: SUSTAINABLE BENEFITS OF UTILIZING PEEL-BASED BIOFERTILIZERS DERIVED FROM VEGETABLE AND FRUIT WASTE

   Benefit Category	Description	Refer ences
   Nutrient Enrichment	Provides essential macronutrients (N, P, K) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Mg) for plant growth.	[11]
   Soil Fertility Improvement	Enhances organic matter content, improving soil structure, aeration, and water retention.	[12]
   Cost- Effective	Utilizes kitchen and agricultural waste, reducing the cost of chemical fertilizers.	[13]
   Eco-Friendly	Reduces waste disposal issues and lowers	[14]

   	host plants or on root organ cultur es		formin g symbio tic associa tions with root nodule s
   Zinc- solubil izing Biofert ilizers	Utilisi ng zinc oxide or zinc carbo nate as substr ates for cultiv ation	Bacillus, Pseudo monas spp.	Transf orm insolub le zinc compo unds to soluble forms accessi ble to plants	[8]
   Cyano bacteri al Biofert ilizers	Grow n in open tanks or racew ay ponds under the sunlig ht	Nostoc, Anabaen a, Oscillat oria	Fixatio n of nitroge n improv es soil texture, and add organic matter	[9]
   Compo st- based Biofert	Enric hment of comp	Consorti a of benefici al	Increas e decom positio	[10]

5. SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND CASE STUDIES

   An increasing amount of scientific studies shows the evidence behind peel-based biofertilizers, representing a more sustainable input in agriculture. Several studies have shown that vegetable peels, such as banana, potato, carrot, onion, and tomato peels, can be considered abundant sources of the most essential nutrients for plants as macronutrients and micronutrients[18]. Khanyilefound that bananas and potato peel additions to the soil greatly impacted the nutrient status as well as microbial biomass in soils due to the high levels of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen in peel biofertilizers[19]. Inaddition,Hidayatifound that seed extracts

   of tomato and carrot peels enhanced germination rates and seedling growth of mung bean seeds[20]. The authors credited the improvements to bioactive compounds in the peels such as phenolics and anti- oxidants that increase the metabolic and hormonal activity of plants. Similarly, Chinnaduraiobserved the increase of beneficial microbial species (such as Azotobacter and Bacillus species) in composts containing onion and banana peels[21]. The study also determined that not only the peels enhance beneficial microbial species, but also produced organic acids and sugars that promote microbial growth for nutrient cycling processes in soils[22]. Field trials also showed significant evidence.

   	environmental pollution.
   Stimulates Microbial Activity	Supplies organic substrates that promote the growth of beneficial soil microbes.
   Enhances Plant Growth	Improves seed germination, root development, and overall plant vigor.	[15]
   Pest and Disease Resistance	Contains bioactive compounds like phenolics and antioxidants that can suppress pathogens.	[16]
   Sustainable Resource Use	Encourages circular economy practices by recycling biodegradable waste.	[17]

6. CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

   Despite the astonishing benefits of peel- derived biofertilizers, various limitations restrict their use. One of the most relevant issues is the lack of standardized processing protocols for peel types which lead to variability in nutrient content and efficacy. Additionally, raw peels can attract pests or create offensive odors, which diminishes the chance of sustainable use in large agricultural operations without proper management practices and sufficiently maturing or composting them. The awareness of the scientific principles and evidence regarding the long- term benefits of biofertilizers and the marketing for plant health borne from organic waste is still low among farmers and agricultural resource professionals. Organic waste is an unregulated commodity which causes lack

   of control options for quality and may reduce a commercial interest in the product as well as farmer faith in the product itself. Notwithstanding, the future value of peel- derived biofertilizers is encouraging. The trend toward sustainability and interest in the valorization of waste is becoming a pathway to convert organic residues into value-added products. Advances in microbial technologies and fermentation technology will offer optimizations to the efficacy of timing peel-derived biofertilizer applications as well as control on shelf-life of these products. Ultimately, research opportunities may be possible with peel formulations containing a specific microbial inoculum combination to address soil conditions and nutrient deficiencies that persist.

7. CONCLUSION

The innovative approach of converting vegetable peel waste into biofertilizers provides a sustainable solution for managing organic waste. This method generates a cost- effective alternative to chemical fertilizers that boosts both soil health and plant growth. Implementing this practice supports both circular economy progress and sustainable farming methods especially in areas where resources are scarce.

Consent for publication

None declare Conflict of interest None declare Acknowledgement

The authors would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to Integral University for providing DST- FIST (SR/FST/LS-1/2017/13(C) sponsored department of Biosciences and Integral University for providing research facilities.

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