Reduction of microbial contamination of cattle manure as a result of biothermal processing in ECO composters

The aim of this study was to determine the reduction of microbial contamination of a by-product of animal husbandry – cow manure after processing in ECO biocompoters. Processing of manure in programmable electronic devices ECO, manufactured by VKO Almaz-Antey, which operate from a 380V electrical network, is a modern, environmentally friendly and cost-effective technology. Organic waste of the agro-industrial complex (crop growing, livestock farming, fish farming) is a biological threat, contributing to the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and the spread of zoonotic infections. Bacteria such as Salmonella spp., E.coli, Listeria monocytogenes can contaminate soil, water and crops. Biowaste also attracts synanthropic animals – carriers of infections. An effective solution is aerobic biocomposting with the participation of thermophilic microorganisms at 50–85°C. The technology ensures multi-stage degradation of the organic substrate, resulting in the formation of a bio-mixture suitable for use as a fertilizer or feed additive, with a volume of 10% of the original. In parallel, the material is disinfected with the deactivation of pathogenic microflora, including antibiotic-resistant strains.The article is devoted to the study of the sanitary efficiency of biothermal processing of a by-product of cattle breeding - cow manure using ECO biocomposters. The method is based on the combined use of microbiological processes and temperature exposure, which ensures aerobic decomposition of organic matter by thermophilic microorganisms at 50-85 ° C. In 24 hours, the volume of waste is reduced by 90%, and the output is a bio-mixture with a high content of nutrients, suitable for use as an organic fertilizer or feed additive. The study demonstrates the high efficiency of biocomposting as a method that ensures complete elimination of pathogenic microflora: coliform bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus spp . The technology is based on thermophilic aerobic fermentation (50–85°C), which produces a bio-mixture that is suitable for use as an organic fertilizer or feed additive. Bacteriological analysis confirmed a decrease in the total microbial count from 15,850,000 to 28,500 CFU/g and complete elimination of target pathogens.