Assessment of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus in Inoculant Induced Composting to Remove Antibiotics in Poultry Manure

The extensive use of antibiotics for therapeutic and prophylactic utilization in livestock production has increased the possibility of antibiotic pollution of agro-ecosystem. Manure from livestock production usually serves as raw materials in the production of organic fertilizer and other soil amendments. It is an accepted recycling technique for agricultural waste such as manure turning it into a valuable resource but poses a range of risk to human health, economic productivity, ecosystem services and long-term sustainability of agricultural activity. The study aims to reduce the risk by removing antibiotics in poultry manure through inoculant induced composting. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus was screened as to antibiotic resistance, potential for mass production and performance as inoculant during composting to remove tylosin and oxytetracycline. Results showed that both fungal species were resistant to both the antibiotics, has increased growth at various concentration of antibiotic and showed potential for mass production by having luxuriant growth in various substrates. Both species also belong to the primary fungal community present during the time of significant antibiotic removal and may contribute to the treatment of antibiotics in poultry manure.