Spectroscopic Characterization of Compost at Different Maturity Stages

We studied the physicochemical and molecular changes of compost during its maturation within 60, 90, and 150 days after the composting process. Moreover, the changes were also studied in compost residues after sequential removal of lipidic compounds. Infrared DRIFT spectrometry and 13 C-CPMAS-NMR spectroscopy indicate that the molecular composition of compost changes dramatically during the stabilization period. The most decomposable components, mainly represented by bioavailable lipidic and peptidic structures, were progressively mineralized passing from 60 days to longer periods of compost stabilization. At increasing maturity stages, the composition of organic matter underwent a progressive enrichment in stable hydrophobic and ligno-cellulosic material. The sequential extraction of lipidic compounds allowed an improved characterization of substrates and confirmed the outlined progressive transformation of compost. Compost may well be chosen on the basis of selected characteristics for environmental applications.

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