[compost_tea] Re: Anaerobic Activity

From: mikethewormguy <mikethewormguy_at_aol.com>
Date: Mon, 30 May 2011 17:26:14 -0000

Evan,

In the leafy green world I work in, the potential Ecoli issue is a major dr=
iver. We have every acre of crop tested for generic Ecoli prior to harvest.=
  The processor will not accept harvested greens without seeing the test da=
ta.

Given that AACT is a dynamic, ever changing, fermentation liquid, the reali=
ty is that this dynamic nature makes the liquid untestable. For example, yo=
u take a sample and send it to the lab on Monday. When you get the result b=
ack, the AACT will not be the same liquid you orgiginally tested. Thus the =
data you get back will not be representative of what the AACT is now.

Using AACT on leafy greens in commercial ag is taking on a big risk.

How many folks who make AACT for commercial ag have a validated and verifie=
d HACCP Plan and SSOPs ? (hint... If you do not know what I am talking abo=
ut here then than this lack of knowledge is part of the challenge).

So at the end of the day, does the grower want to accept the risk or not ?


Mike Flynn
Green Quest LLC
BioSpecific LLC


--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "evanfolds" <evan_at_...> wrote:
>
> Let's nail this down. I understand the logic on being wary of molasses du=
e to E. coli, but have only seen this listed on USDA websites that I person=
ally believe do nothing more than scare people.
>
> Has anyone had a specific issue with E. coli in AACT that they can share?
>
> More specifically, has anyone ever had an issue with molasses they can sh=
are?
>
> I think E. coli is a manifestation of bad compost and conditions more tha=
n anything. The same way we legislate to make it possible to put 1000 cows =
on an acre instead of 100 then blame E. coli. That
> s like blaiming the murderer on the gun..
>
> evan
> www.VortexBrewer.com
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "mikethewormguy" <mikethewormguy_at_> wr=
ote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Jeff,
> >
> > If memory serves, Ecoli is a facultative anaerobe that can adapt and gr=
ow in an aerobic and anaerobic environments.
> >
> > This is one of the reasons why adding simple sugars to an ACT brew proc=
ess, where the feedstock and/or equipment is contaminated with Ecoli, can r=
esult in an Ecoli bloom into the brew liquid.
> >
> > To make things more complicated, not all species of Ecoli are outlaws.
> >
> > 1 more cent.....
> >
> > Mike Flynn
> > Green Quest LLC
> > BioSpecific LLC
> >
> > --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, Jeff Lowenfels <jeff.lowenfels_at_> wr=
ote:
> > >
> > > I don't think it is so much that anaerobic microbes are all bad ( see=
. E.M.), it is just that in compost tea we don't want E. coli ,in particula=
r, and some of the other potential bad anaerobic microbes so we keep the sy=
stem aerobic.
> > >
> > > Teaming
> > >
> > > jeff
> > >
> > > Plant one row in your garden to feed the hungry. It is so easy and so=
 needed: http://www.gardenwriters.org/gwa.php?p=par/index.html (And don'=
t forget to read "Teaming WIth Microbes: The Organic Gardener's Guide to th=
e Soil Food web").
> > >
> >
>




Received on Mon May 30 2011 - 13:29:41 EDT

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