Date of Graduation
5-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Advisor/Mentor
Haggard, Brian E. (Brian Edward)
Committee Member/Reader
Liang, Yi
Committee Member/Second Reader
Zaharoff, David A.
Abstract
Phosphorus is known to be a chief factor in the eutrophication of freshwaters. Phosphorus in land applied poultry litter can runoff and pollute these freshwaters. Chitosan, the deacetylated form of the biopolymer chitin, has been shown to have an effect on reducing water extractable phosphorus (WEP) in poultry litter when applied as a powder. The intent of this study was to measure the effect that acetic acid and incubation time have on chitosan’s ability to reduce WEP in poultry litter. The results were that the presence of poultry litter treatment (PLT) in the litter inhibits chitosan’s ability reduce WEP. Chitosan dissolved in acetic acid does not decrease WEP after any amount of incubation time. Chitosan in a powder form reaches its full effectiveness after three weeks of incubation.
Keywords
phosphorus, chitosan, poultry
Citation
Simpson, Z. P. (2014). Factors Influencing Water Extractable Phosphorus Reduction in Poultry Litter by Chitosan Treatment. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/baeguht/28