Potential of Anaerobic Digestate for Bioremediation and Biofertilization

Anaerobic digestate derived from the gut contents of slaughtered beef cattle presents a promising dual-purpose resource for environmental remediation and agricultural enhancement. This study investigated the physicochemical properties and microbial diversity of digestate, focusing on its potential for hydrocarbon degradation and phosphate solubilization. Physicochemical analysis revealed a nutrient-rich composition with a near-neutral pH (7.6), low biological oxygen demand (3.294 mg/L), and favourable levels of nitrogen (0.238%), phosphorus (0.0184%), and potassium (0.235%). Microbial screening identified four hydrocarbon-degrading species: Ruminococcus sp., Clostridium sp., Pseudomonas diminutis, and Mucor hachijoensis, with P. diminutis exhibiting the highest population density. Bacillus subtilis was isolated as a phosphate-solubilizing bacterium, confirming the digestate's potential for biofertilization. The coexistence of aerobic and anaerobic microbial species highlights the adaptability of digestate across diverse environmental conditions. These findings align with previous studies on the application of anaerobic digestate for biostimulation and bioaugmentation in contaminated soils and its role as a carrier for beneficial microbes in sustainable agriculture. The study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the valorization of organic waste via anaerobic digestion, offering a low-cost, eco-friendly solution to petroleum pollution and soil nutrient depletion. Future research should focus on quantifying the degradation and solubilization efficiencies of the isolated strains and exploring their genetic traits to enhance their performance and scalability under field conditions.