The Process and Pathogen Behavior in Composting: A Review

Abstract

Composting is defined as the biological decomposition and stabilization of organic substrates under aerobic conditions to allow the development of thermophilic temperatures. This thermophilic temperature is a result of biologically produced heat. Composting produces the final product which is sufficiently stable for storage and application to land without adverse environmental effects. There are many factors which affect the decomposition of organic matter in the composting process. Since the composting process is very intricate, it is not easy to estimate the effect of a single factor on the rate of organic matter decomposition. This paper looked at the main factors affecting the composting process. Problems regarding the controlling, inactivation and regrowth of pathogen in compost material are also discussed.