Scientists found that leftover grain mash and vinegar waste from fermentation industries can cut ammonia pollution from pig manure almost as well as sulfuric acid, while also improving the compost's quality and safety for use as fertilizer.
1
Distillers' grains and vinegar residue reduced ammonia emissions during manure storage by 93.7% and 94.5%, matching sulfuric acid's 94.1% reduction but with longer-lasting effects due to continued organic-acid production.
2
The treated composts extended the thermophilic (heat-generating) composting phase by up to 7 days and further cut ammonia emissions by 13-27% during composting.
3
When applied to soil, the resulting compost suppressed ammonia loss by 49-70% compared to plain urea, boosted soil enzyme activity, and shifted toxic metals like mercury, lead, and chromium into more stable, less bioavailable forms.
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