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Synergistic Influence of Inoculum Type and Laterite Powder on Anaerobic Digestion Kinetics of Canola Straw

Authors

  • Asad Ayub Rajput

    US. Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5528-7681

  • Saleem Raza Chalgri

    Department of Mining Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6956-3579

  • Muhammad Raheel Bawani

    Department of Mining Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2464-8664

  • Zeshan Sheikh

    Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7189-5102

  • Rizwan Ullah Faiz

    Department of Civil Engineering, Isra University Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
    Author

  • Rashid Ayub Rajput

    Department of Civil Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan
    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22581/0606

Keywords:

Anaerobic Digestion, Inoculum, Digested Manure, Laterite Powder, Canola Straw, Sludge

Abstract

The presence of low nutrient content in the lignocellulosic biomass, such as canola straw (CS), limits its anaerobic biodegradability. Therefore, the main focus of the study is to enhance the nutrient content during anaerobic digestion (AD) of CS. For this purpose, three different inoculum sources such as anaerobically digested manure (ADM), acclimatized sludge (AS), and mixed inoculum (MI), and different concentrations of laterite powder (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%) were added to enhance the batch AD of CS. Results of the study revealed that the reactor inoculated with ADM performed better, and 15.23% and 10.31% higher biogas yields were observed from the reactors inoculated with AS and MI. Moreover, the 2% addition of laterite powder and ADM as inoculum produced the highest biogas yield of 602 NmL/gVS with a 76.4% VS reduction due to the synergistic effect. In addition, reactors showed better buffering capacity and stability in terms of volatile fatty acids to alkalinity ratios due to the addition of laterite powder during AD of CS. Furthermore, characterization of laterite revealed the presence of an iron source, which created the favourable environment for methanogenesis due to direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). Biokinetic parameters revealed that the modified Gompertz model (MGM) reproduced the biogas production data. In conclusion, AD of CS may be enhanced by using good-quality inoculum and the addition of lateritic mineral. The addition of microbially active inoculums and laterite powder as a nutrient source may also enhance the anaerobic digestate quality and may be used as fertilizer.

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Author Biographies

  • Asad Ayub Rajput, US. Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan

    Research Scholar, Environmental Sciences, US-PCAS, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology

  • Saleem Raza Chalgri, Department of Mining Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan

     

    Lecturer, Department of Mining Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan

     

  • Zeshan Sheikh, Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

    Professor, Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

     

  • Rizwan Ullah Faiz, Department of Civil Engineering, Isra University Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan

     

    Department of Civil Engineering, Isra University Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan

     

  • Rashid Ayub Rajput, Department of Civil Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan

     

    Department of Civil Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan.

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Published

2026-01-01

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 1 (2026): January Issue

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology

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How to Cite

Synergistic Influence of Inoculum Type and Laterite Powder on Anaerobic Digestion Kinetics of Canola Straw. (2026). Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 45(1), 224-235. https://doi.org/10.22581/0606