A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost Characterization
The efficient characterization of compost quality is essential for optimizing its application in agriculture and soil improvement. In this study, a correlation-based approach was employed to evaluate relationships between physicochemical properties, structural features, and reactivity indicators of...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Ana Catarina Silva Pedro Rocha Patrícia Valderrama Juan Antelo Dulce Geraldo Maria Fernanda Proença Sarah Fiol Fátima Bento |
| author_facet | Ana Catarina Silva Pedro Rocha Patrícia Valderrama Juan Antelo Dulce Geraldo Maria Fernanda Proença Sarah Fiol Fátima Bento |
| author_sort | Ana Catarina Silva |
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| description | The efficient characterization of compost quality is essential for optimizing its application in agriculture and soil improvement. In this study, a correlation-based approach was employed to evaluate relationships between physicochemical properties, structural features, and reactivity indicators of compost extracts—fulvic acid-like (FA-L), humic acid-like (HA-L), and dissolved organic matter (DOM)—and their respective bulk composts. The goal was to identify key compost parameters that can serve as reliable predictors of humic substance composition and bioactivity, thereby reducing reliance on labor-intensive humic substance extractions. A comprehensive set of elemental, spectroscopic (UV-vis, ATR-FTIR, <sup>1</sup>H-NMR), and thermal (TGA-DSC) analyses were conducted to assess the composition and stability of the extracts. Strong correlations were found between compost oxidation state (<i>C<sub>oxi</sub></i>/<i>C</i>), cation exchange capacity (<i>CEC</i>), thermal stability, and the structural characteristics of humic substances-like (HS-L) fractions, suggesting that direct compost characterization can effectively predict humic substance reactivity and agronomic potential. The findings also align with a previously developed Compost Quality Index (CQI), reinforcing the functional role of humic substances in soil fertility and nutrient retention. By establishing a simplified yet robust compost assessment framework, this study advances the potential for efficient, cost-effective evaluation methodologies for compost quality. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-72c65db7ff4c40879d24e67b07c592392025-08-20T02:17:00ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-03-01307151110.3390/molecules30071511A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost CharacterizationAna Catarina Silva0Pedro Rocha1Patrícia Valderrama2Juan Antelo3Dulce Geraldo4Maria Fernanda Proença5Sarah Fiol6Fátima Bento7Department of Chemistry, Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalDepartment of Chemistry, Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCampus Campo Mourão (UTFPR-CM), Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campo Mourão 87301-899, Paraná, BrazilCRETUS, Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainDepartment of Chemistry, Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalDepartment of Chemistry, Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCRETUS, Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies, Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainDepartment of Chemistry, Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalThe efficient characterization of compost quality is essential for optimizing its application in agriculture and soil improvement. In this study, a correlation-based approach was employed to evaluate relationships between physicochemical properties, structural features, and reactivity indicators of compost extracts—fulvic acid-like (FA-L), humic acid-like (HA-L), and dissolved organic matter (DOM)—and their respective bulk composts. The goal was to identify key compost parameters that can serve as reliable predictors of humic substance composition and bioactivity, thereby reducing reliance on labor-intensive humic substance extractions. A comprehensive set of elemental, spectroscopic (UV-vis, ATR-FTIR, <sup>1</sup>H-NMR), and thermal (TGA-DSC) analyses were conducted to assess the composition and stability of the extracts. Strong correlations were found between compost oxidation state (<i>C<sub>oxi</sub></i>/<i>C</i>), cation exchange capacity (<i>CEC</i>), thermal stability, and the structural characteristics of humic substances-like (HS-L) fractions, suggesting that direct compost characterization can effectively predict humic substance reactivity and agronomic potential. The findings also align with a previously developed Compost Quality Index (CQI), reinforcing the functional role of humic substances in soil fertility and nutrient retention. By establishing a simplified yet robust compost assessment framework, this study advances the potential for efficient, cost-effective evaluation methodologies for compost quality.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1511compost characterizationhumic-like substancescorrelation analysiscompost maturitybioactivitysustainable agriculture |
| spellingShingle | Ana Catarina Silva Pedro Rocha Patrícia Valderrama Juan Antelo Dulce Geraldo Maria Fernanda Proença Sarah Fiol Fátima Bento A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost Characterization Molecules compost characterization humic-like substances correlation analysis compost maturity bioactivity sustainable agriculture |
| title | A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost Characterization |
| title_full | A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost Characterization |
| title_fullStr | A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost Characterization |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost Characterization |
| title_short | A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost Characterization |
| title_sort | correlation based approach for predicting humic substance bioactivity from direct compost characterization |
| topic | compost characterization humic-like substances correlation analysis compost maturity bioactivity sustainable agriculture |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1511 |
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