Potential Hormetic Effects of Cimetidine on Aerobic Composting of Human Feces from Rural China

Li, X; Wang, X; Pan, X; Zhu, P; Zhang, Q; Huang, X; Deng, X; Wang, Z; Ding, Y; Liu, X; Zhou, JL

Potential Hormetic Effects of Cimetidine on Aerobic Composting of Human Feces from Rural China

Li, X Wang, X Pan, X Zhu, P Zhang, Q Huang, X Deng, X Wang, Z Ding, Y Liu, X Zhou, JL

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Publisher:: MDPI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: SUSTAINABILITY, 2022, 14, (21)
Issue Date:: 2022-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Li, X
dc.contributor.author	Wang, X
dc.contributor.author	Pan, X
dc.contributor.author	Zhu, P
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, Q
dc.contributor.author	Huang, X
dc.contributor.author	Deng, X
dc.contributor.author	Wang, Z
dc.contributor.author	Ding, Y
dc.contributor.author	Liu, X
dc.contributor.author	Zhou, JL
dc.date.accessioned	2023-01-19T01:43:55Z
dc.date.available	2023-01-19T01:43:55Z
dc.date.issued	2022-11-01
dc.identifier.citation	SUSTAINABILITY, 2022, 14, (21)
dc.identifier.issn	2071-1050
dc.identifier.issn	2071-1050
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165173
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>Aerobic composting is widely used worldwide as a natural process for handling human waste. Such waste often contains pharmaceutical residues from human consumption, yet their impact on composting has not been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the antihistamine cimetidine (10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg) on the aerobic composting of human feces. The key results show that 10 mg/kg of cimetidine accelerates temperature increase and moisture removal of the composting substrate. The organic matter in all the groups gradually decreased, and the pH values increased first and then declined with the composting time, with no significant differences between the groups. The NH4+-N concentrations and NH3 emission reached the maximum at 1.5 days and then declined rapidly, while the NO2−-N concentrations increased and then decreased, and the NO3−-N contents tended to increase all the time during the composting. The 100 mg/kg cimetidine caused a higher maximal NH4+-N concentration of compost, and a lower maximal NH3 emission at 1.5 days, while 10 mg/kg cimetidine led to more NO2−-N and NO3−-N contents. In addition, 10 mg/kg cimetidine enhanced the aromatization and humification of dissolved organic matter and promoted the degradation of aliphatic substances. Furthermore, 100 mg/kg cimetidine generated a larger influence on the microorganisms than 10 mg/kg cimetidine, especially for the microorganisms related to nitrogen transformation. The findings imply that cimetidine has a dose-dependent impact on the decomposition of organic matter and the conversion of nitrogen in human feces during composting. It deserves further investigation of the possible hormesis effect.</jats:p>
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	MDPI
dc.relation.ispartof	SUSTAINABILITY
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/su142114454
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	12 Built Environment and Design
dc.title	Potential Hormetic Effects of Cimetidine on Aerobic Composting of Human Feces from Rural China
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	14
utslib.for	12 Built Environment and Design
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-01-19T01:43:52Z
pubs.issue	21
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	14
utslib.citation.issue	21

Abstract:

Aerobic composting is widely used worldwide as a natural process for handling human waste. Such waste often contains pharmaceutical residues from human consumption, yet their impact on composting has not been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the antihistamine cimetidine (10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg) on the aerobic composting of human feces. The key results show that 10 mg/kg of cimetidine accelerates temperature increase and moisture removal of the composting substrate. The organic matter in all the groups gradually decreased, and the pH values increased first and then declined with the composting time, with no significant differences between the groups. The NH4+-N concentrations and NH3 emission reached the maximum at 1.5 days and then declined rapidly, while the NO2−-N concentrations increased and then decreased, and the NO3−-N contents tended to increase all the time during the composting. The 100 mg/kg cimetidine caused a higher maximal NH4+-N concentration of compost, and a lower maximal NH3 emission at 1.5 days, while 10 mg/kg cimetidine led to more NO2−-N and NO3−-N contents. In addition, 10 mg/kg cimetidine enhanced the aromatization and humification of dissolved organic matter and promoted the degradation of aliphatic substances. Furthermore, 100 mg/kg cimetidine generated a larger influence on the microorganisms than 10 mg/kg cimetidine, especially for the microorganisms related to nitrogen transformation. The findings imply that cimetidine has a dose-dependent impact on the decomposition of organic matter and the conversion of nitrogen in human feces during composting. It deserves further investigation of the possible hormesis effect.

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