Vermicomposting and Other Zoocomposting Systems for Solid Waste Valorization: Concepts, Designs, and Applications

This groundbreaking book explores the science and innovation behind zoocomposting – composting facilitated by animals such as earthworms, black soldier flies (BSF), and termites. It presents the high‑rate vermicomposting (HRVC) paradigm, a revolutionary approach that enables the rapid conversion of phytowaste, even toxic and recalcitrant plant materials, into potent organic fertilizers without the need for pre‑composting or manure supplementation. It details the design and performance of advanced vermireactors, the transformative effects of vermicomposting on plant growth, and the potential of BSF and termites in waste degradation. By tracing the history and mechanisms of both microbial and animal‑assisted composting, this book offers valuable insights into sustainable waste management and soil fertility enhancement, making it an essential resource for researchers, environmentalists, and agricultural innovators. It serves as a practical guide for professionals and researchers working in agriculture, soil science and sustainability in general.

Key Features:

• Explores HRVC, BSF composting, and termite‑assisted waste degradation for efficient organic waste recycling
• Presents cutting‑edge reactor systems that accelerate the decomposition of phytowaste, including toxic and recalcitrant plant materials, without pre‑composting or manure supplementation
• Highlights the benefits of zoocompost products in improving soil fertility, enhancing plant growth, and supporting eco‑friendly waste management practices

Dr. Pratiksha Patnaik received her BSc and MSc degrees in ecology and environmental sciences, topping in both programmes and receiving gold medals. She later obtained her PhD in 2018 for her path-breaking researches on zoocomposting with a focus on valorizing phytowaste and food waste. Besides several research papers in prestigious journals, Dr Pratiksha’s work has resulted in a book, Prosopis juliflora: Attributes, Impact, Utilization, published by Elsevier, and four patents.

Dr. Tabassum-Abbasi has received her BTech, MTech, and PhD degrees in instrumentation and control engineering, environmental engineering, and environmental technology, respectively – all from Pondicherry University. She too has been a class topper throughout, receiving gold medals. She has been working as an Assistant Professor at the University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, since January 2019, earning promotion to senior grade in 2022, and Selection Grade in 2025. She has also spent an year (2023-2024) in post-doctoral research at the University of Edinburgh as a British Council Women in Science Fellow. Besides 87 research papers on bioprocess engineering and sustainability in highly cited journals and books, she has received three patents, and has registered another two. She has authored a book and has another two in press.

Prof S. A. Abbasi is presently Distinguished Professor at the School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun. He has been a full university Professor and Director (1987-2015) and Emeritus Professor (2015-2024) at the Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University. Prior to that, he was the founder and head of the Water Quality & Environment Division at the Centre for Water Resources, Kozhikode (1979-1987), and a Visiting-cum-adjunct Professor at California State University (1984-1987). He has also been a Visiting Professor at the universities of Minnesota, Florida, Nevada, California-Berkeley, Malaya, and Al-Ahsa.

With 50 books, close to 400 papers in indexed journals, 12 patents, over 25,000 citations, and a Hirsch Index currently at 84, Prof Abbasi is among the world’s foremost experts in the fields of bioprocess engineering, process safety, and environmental engineering. In the Stanford University and ScholarGPS assessments, he is ranked among the world’s top 0.5% scientists, and the latest AD Scientific rankings puts him among India’s top two in environmental science and engineering (https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/pondicherry-university-professor-felicitated/article33349572.ece).

Among numerous coveted honours and awards received by Prof Abbasi are the National Design Award in Environmental Engineering, the IPCL Award for Safety and Hazard Management in Petroleum Industries, the National Hydrology Award, the International Desalination Association’s prize, The Trever Kletz Award, and Fellowships of the National Academy of Sciences and the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. Prof Abbasi is also well-known for his poetry (ghazal and geet), fiction, and his work on fostering inter-faith harmony. Details of his oeuvre can be found at https://vidwan.inflibnet.ac.in/profile/61966.