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Exploring the potential of vermicompost as a sustainable strategy in circular economy: improving plants’ bioactive properties and boosting agricultural yield and quality

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Abstract

Consumption of natural resources and waste generation continues to rise as the human population increases. Ever since the industrial revolution, consumers have been adopting a linear economy model based on the ‘take-make-dispose’ approach. Raw materials are extracted to be converted into products and finally discarded as wastes. Consequently, this practice is unsustainable because it causes a massive increase in waste production. The root problems of the linear system can be addressed by transitioning to a circular economy. Circular economy is an economic model in which wastes from one product are recycled and used as resources for other processes. This literature review discovers the potential of vermicompost as a sustainable strategy in circular economy and highlights the benefits of vermicompost in ensuring food security, particularly in improving agricultural yield and quality, as well as boosting crop’s nutritional quality. Vermicompost has the potential to be used in a variety of ways in the circular economy, including for agricultural sustainability, managing waste, pollutant remediation, biogas production and animal feed production. The recycling of organic wastes to produce vermicompost can benefit both the consumers and environment, thus paving the way towards a more sustainable agriculture for the future.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, for the experimental facilities and financial support (Grant No. RU004C-2020) provided.

Funding

The study was funded by Universiti Malaya, Malaysia (Grant No. RU004C-2020).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Amira Maisarah Kamar Zaman & Jamilah Syafawati Yaacob

  2. Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Jamilah Syafawati Yaacob

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  1. Amira Maisarah Kamar Zaman
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J. S. Y. conceived and designed the research. A. M. K. Z. conducted the literature search and wrote the manuscript draft. J. S. Y. revised and proofread the final manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jamilah Syafawati Yaacob.

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Kamar Zaman, A.M., Yaacob, J.S. Exploring the potential of vermicompost as a sustainable strategy in circular economy: improving plants’ bioactive properties and boosting agricultural yield and quality. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 12948–12964 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18006-z

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