The degree work entitled “Analysis of the composition and functionality of microbial communities associated with compost produced from green waste and food waste with the addition of biochar”, developed by chemical engineer Johan Alexander Remolina Angulo, a graduate of the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), was awarded an honorable mention in the XXVIII version of the National Awards for the Best Degree Options in Chemical Engineering, in the Innovation category. The recognition was granted by the Professional Council of Chemical Engineering of Colombia, in a ceremony held in Cartagena de Indias.
The project was directed by Professor Viviana Sánchez Torres, from the School of Chemical Engineering, with the co-direction of Professor Germán Zafra Sierra, from the School of Microbiology, and the accompaniment of the PhD student in Chemical Engineering, Daniela Rey Romero.
The study focused on the production of compost from green and food waste, incorporating biochar during the mesophilic and thermophilic phases of the composting process. At the end of the process, samples were taken to extract DNA and massive metagenomic sequencing techniques of the 16S rRNA gene were applied, allowing in-depth analysis of the microbial composition.
This approach based on metagenomics is presented as an emerging alternative to traditional cultivation methods, which have a major limitation regarding the low percentage of bacteria that can grow in a controlled environment (less than 10%).
The project, which also had the support of the Food Science and Technology Research Group (CICTA) and the Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation Research Group (GPH), was selected among 33 proposals from all over the country, reaching second place in the Innovation category, which gave the graduate a prestigious honorable mention, as well as recognition for the director of the work and her team.
This achievement highlights the commitment of the UIS with academic and scientific excellence, and evidences the impact of its research in the search for sustainable solutions to current environmental challenges.
