Prediction of the nutrients value and biochemical characteristics of swine slurry by measurement of EC--electrical conductivity

Bioresour Technol. 2009 Oct;100(20):4683-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.05.006. Epub 2009 May 30.

Abstract

Slurry samples, collected from 41 commercial swine farms in South Korea, were characterized in various physico-biochemical, macro and micronutrients, heavy metals and microbial parameters. Interestingly, significant variations were observed in all the parameters. However, positive relationships were noticed between EC and ammonia nitrogen (NH(3)-N), total nitrogen (TN), total potassium (TK), specific gravity (SG), total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), fixed solids (FS), total dissolved solids (TDS) at R(2)=0.91, 0.74, 0.69, 0.60, 0.50, 0.48, 0.55, and 0.52, respectively. Whereas phosphorous and other nutrients shown poor correlation. Escherichia coli and Salmonella were counted at an average of 5.04 log(10) colony forming unit (CFU)/mL and 3.55 log(10) most probable number (MPN)/mL, respectively. Equations for predicting nutrients content in swine slurries are presented with EC, because it is an easily determinable parameter. The data obtained in this study could be used as a guideline for Good Management Practices in South Korean swine farms as well as other countries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electric Conductivity*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Sewage / analysis*
  • Sewage / microbiology
  • Specific Gravity
  • Swine / physiology*

Substances

  • Sewage