Virtual Booth

In Malaysia, food waste is the most common type of municipal waste. Using organic fertiliser made from food waste can help the nation reduce its overall waste production. This study utilized banana peels and eggshells to produce a sustainable organic fertilizer. Banana peels are rich in biomass fibre, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are all essential components for soil enrichment. Meanwhile, eggshells contain high amounts of phosphate and calcium necessary for robust plant growth, and yeast serves as a bio-stimulant to improve nutrient availability and soil quality. The performance and efficiency of this organic fertilizer were evaluated using chili plants (Capsicum annuum) by monitoring growth parameters such as plant height and total leaf count. Soil composition and functional groups were analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), while soil pH values were monitored to ensure an optimal growing environment. The results indicate that the optimal formulation ratio for the banana peel, eggshell, and yeast mixture is 1:1:1, which yielded a neutral pH value of 7.1. This balanced pH provided the most efficient nutrient uptake, resulting in the highest growth rate and maximum leaf production in the chili plants.