Decentralised system for demand-oriented collection of food waste – Assessment of biomethane potential, pathogen development and microbial community structure

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 376; p. 128894
• Main Authors: Wehner, Marco, Kleidorfer, Irene, Whittle, Ingrid, Bischof, Daniela, Bockreis, Anke, Insam, Heribert, Mueller, Wolfgang, Hupfauf, Sebastian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2023
• Subjects: 16S amplicon sequencing; Anaerobiosis; Biofuels; Biogas; Bioreactors; Food; Hygienisation; Lactic acid; Methane; Microbiota; Refuse Disposal; Storage; Hygienisation; Biogas; Storage; Lactic acid; 16S amplicon sequencing
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128894

[Display omitted] •Food waste can be stored over a long period of time without being cooled.•Food waste storage had no negative impact on the biomethane potential.•High lactic acid concentrations effectively inactivated pathogenic bacteria.•Ambient temperature was more effective than cooling in terms of hygienization.•Unique but well-functioning bacterial communities established at each temperature. Enormous amounts of food waste (FW) are produced worldwide, requiring efficient disposal strategies, both economically and ecologically. Anaerobic digestion to produce biomethane is among the most promising strategies, but requires proper solutions for storage and delivery of the waste material. Here, a decentralized system for demand-oriented FW storage and its practical usability was assessed. FW was stored under batch and fed-batch strategies at 5 °C, 20 °C and 30 °C for 28 days. The results showed that FW can be stored without cooling since bacterially produced lactic acid rapidly stabilized the material and inactivated pathogens. While FW storage worked well under all storage conditions and strategies, 16S analysis revealed a distinct microbiota, which was highly characteristic for each storage temperature. Moreover, FW storage had no negative impact on methane yield and stored FW contained readily degradable substances for demand-oriented biogas production.