Efficient fertilizer and enzyme-assisted method of production

Abstract

Slow-release fertilizer is produced by composting animal manure with a magnesium-rich compound The temperature of this mixture is maintained at 20-30° C. and the pH is maintained between 7-10. Urease is added to the mixture. Next, the mixture is inoculated with bacteria of the species Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus globisporus, or Bacillus fusiformis. The mixture is then allowed to incubate for about 14 days to form magnesium ammonium phosphate. Optionally, phosphatase, an enzyme promoting the formation of phosphate from phosphorus-rich organic compounds, is added with the urease enzyme to increase the yield of magnesium-ammonium phosphate.

Description

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] This invention relates to an improved process for producing a slow-release fertilizer from animal waste. Specifically, it relates to a process for composting animal manure with a magnesium-rich compound and selected enzymes that form ammonia from urea and uric acid, and phosphates from phosphate-rich organic compounds. In addition, bacteria selected from guano fertilizer may be incorporated with the enzyme-manure mixture to form magnesium ammonium phosphate.[0004] 2. Prior Art[0005] The formation of ammonium magnesium phosphate hexahydrate assisted by bacteria has been reported by Nabil Ben mar et al., Chemosphere, vol. 36, No. 3, p 475-481, (1998). The removal of phosphate from supernatant liquors from anaerobically digested sludge by formation of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) is reported by Battistoni et al., Wat. Res., Vol. 31, No. 11, pp. 2925-2929, 1997 The formation of struvite by Azobacter in chemi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The animal manure is mixed with a magnesium compound or an aqueous solution of magnesium salt. The temperature of this mixture is maintained at 20-30.degree. C. and the pH is maintained between 7-10. Urease is added to the mixture. Next, the mixture is inoculated with bacteria of the species Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus globisporus, or Bacillus fusiformis. The mixture is then allowed to incubate for about 14 days to form magnesium ammonium phosphate. Optionally, phosphatase, an enzyme promoting the formation of phosphate from phosphorus-rich organic compounds, is added with the urease enzyme to increase the yield of magnesium-ammonium phosphare.

Problems solved by technology

However, there is nothing in the prior art disclosing the use of enzymes in combination with bacteria to produce slow release magnesium-ammonium phosphate fertilizer.