Characterization of selected fruit peel as biofertilizer

Abstract

The primary goal of this study is popularization of probiotic farming in India. A cheap source of Lactic Acid Bacteria produced by fruit peels like pomegranate peel, sweet lime peel and orange peel powder, which are then used as biofertilizer in agriculture. Various characteristics features like observed the growth of lactic acid bacteria by spread plate techniques for 48 hours at 37°C, FTIR, instrumental color analysis and antioxidant DPPH assay of selected fruit peels were analysed and compared. The constant and stable growth of lactic acid bacteria is observed by pomegranate peel powder while compared to sweet lime and orange peel powder. FTIR confirms the presence of functional groups like water, alcohol, carboxylic acid, alkane, amines, aldehyde, anhydride, ester, ketone, amide, NO 2 , fluorine and
chlorine in pomegrante peel, orange peel and sweet lime peel powder. The colour analysis L * a * b * shows that highest lightness and redness observed in pomegranate peel and highest range of yellowish color was noticed in orange peel powder. The comparison of fruit peel powder with standard ascorbic acid inferred that pomegranate peel powder extract shows more effective in lowest concentration and orange and sweet lime peel powder extract shows that increase in inhibition % as increase in concentration. The present study concluded that fruit peels with highest content of antioxidant and best source of probiotics can be used as biofertilizer to increase the quality and quantity of the food crops in agricultural field through probiotic farming practices.