Quantification of β-carotene, lycopene, and chlorophyll content in tomato fruits of enrichment of chicken feathers composting

Abstract

Purpose: Chicken feather was thrown into the environments, which causes health hazards and environmental pollution. It contains large number of proteins which can be converted into organic fertilizer to reduce the pollution load. These will help to minimize the protein needs and maintain low cost for utilization as raw material for manure production. Methods: Chicken feather waste was subjected to composting by mixing it with cow dung and agricultural waste. Four different composts were prepared for composting of the chicken feather waste: E1, E2, E3, and E4, along with a control [cow dung (CW) + agricultural waste (AG)]. The major and minor nutrient contents of the compost were analyzed on the 90th day. The prepared compost was applied to Solanum lycopersicum plants; fruits pigments (lycopene, β-carotene, and chlorophyll) were evaluated. Result: Chicken feather compost has high nutrient level organic carbon (1.83%), nitrogen (7.33%), potassium (4.40%), sulphur (19.69 ppm), zinc (4.96 ppm), boron (0.59 ppm), and iron (6.62 ppm) except phosphorus (0.26%) in the control. Results revealed highest lycopene in E4 (0.5881 mg/100 ml) and β-carotene in E1 (0.2699 mg/100 ml) when compared with the control value lycopene (0.4602 mg/100 ml) and β-carotene (0.1341 mg/100 ml). A positive correlation has been established between lycopene/β-carotene and negative correlation have been existing chlorophyll content vs lycopene/β-carotene. Conclusion: Chicken feather can be eco-friendly when converted into compost which in turn enriches the quality of tomato fruits (lycopene and β-carotene).