Comparative Study on the Effects of Fresh and Composted Spent Coffee Grounds on Pachira

aquatica

_____________________________

A Special Problem Presented to

The Undergraduate School Faculty

Of the Arts and Sciences Department

San Pedro College, Davao City

_________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for General Biology (Bio 102)

By

FUENTES, FARRAH MAE B.

LIM, NIKOLE KAMYLL A.

SHOON, CASSANDRA P.

MARCH 2016
 CHAPTER I

Introduction

In the last years, an increase of coffee beverages consumption has been observed all over

the world. The preparation of this beverage generates high amounts of spent coffee grounds

(SCG), which is usually mixed with common garbage, (Tokimoto et al., 2005; Mussato et al.,

2012), causing major environmental issues. Therefore, finding strategies to valorise the

utilization of this organic residue is of much interest. The chemical composition of SCG

indicates several applications to this residue. For instance, the presence of nitrogen (about 1.2-

2.3%), phosphorus (0.2-0.05%) and potassium (0.35%) contents (Musatto et al., 2011; Cruz et

al., 2012) suggest its utilization on agriculture as fertilizer or as a soil improver (Kondamudi et

al., 2008). These nutrients increase soil fertility and are equally important for healthy plant

growth. There are several references about the use of SCG as organic fertilizer on domestic

agriculture; however the scientific evidence of its effectiveness remains largely unknown. In fact,

the presence of caffeine (about 0.2%) in espresso SCG (Cruz et al., 2012), together with tannins

and chlorogenic acids, might impose some toxicity to soil microorganisms and plants (Batish et

al., 2008), and its direct application might not be totally beneficial to the plants. An alternative to

reduce these potential damaging effects could be through SCG composting.

With this context, this study would like to determine and compare fresh and composted

spent coffee ground’s potential as an agricultural fertilizer, specificallly in jade plant (Pachira

aquatica).
Review in Related Literature

Both forms of SCG (fresh and composted) have showed to improve significantly lettuces

plant growth when compared to the control. This effect was also found to depend greatly of their

application rate. Overall, the results indicate that fresh SCG should be applied at low

concentrations (2.5 and 5%, v/v), whereas composted SCG should be applied at higher

concentrations (Cruz et al., 2012). The application of fresh SCG at concentrations above 10%,

showed to induce plant stress, probably due to the increase of phytotoxic compounds (such as

caffeine), resulting in a reduction of macronutrients plant-uptake and plant growth. The

composted form appears to be less toxic to the plants, even when applied at high concentrations

(Mussatto et al., 2011).

Composition of Coffee Grounds

Nitrogen-rich proteins needed for seed germination and growth comprise over 10% of

coffee grounds. In fact, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of coffee grounds can be as low as 11:1, an

ideal ratio for plant and soil nutrition. Since coffee is extracted in water, most of the hydrophobic

compounds, including oils, lipids, triglycerides, and fatty acids remain in the grounds, as do

insoluble carbohydrates like cellulose and various indigestible sugars. Structural lignin,

protective phenolics, and the wonderful aroma-producing essential oils are also left over from the

brewing process. It’s this last group of chemicals that are reported to have antiox (Chalker-Scott,

2009).
Effects of Coffee Grounds on Plants

Given their antimicrobial activity, it’s not surprising that attempts to cultivate mushrooms

in coffee grounds have been variable and species-specific. Likewise, their effects on plant

growth are unpredictable. Coffee ground composts and mulches have enhanced sugar beet seed

germination and improved growth and yield of cabbage and soybeans. It’s been an effective

replacement for peat moss in producing anthuriums. Increases in soil nitrogen as well as general

mulching benefits, such as moderating soil temperature and increasing soil water, are proposed

mechanisms for these increases (Chalker-Scott, 2009).

Conceptual Framework

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDET VARIABLE

 Types of fertilizer  Jade plant growth

Fresh SCG and (cm) from the samples
Composted SCG with the different
 Types of fertilizer kinds of fertilizer

Statement of the Problem

General Statement of the Problem: This study is directed at determining the fertilizing potential

of fresh SCG and composted SCG.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the growth (expressed in centimeters) of the jade plant on the topsoil mixed with

fresh SCG?

2. What is the growth (expressed in centimeters) of the Jade plant on the topsoil mixed with

composted SCG?

Hypothesis

Ho: there is no significant difference in the growth of the tomato plant from the fresh and

composted SCG samples.

Significance of the Study

The purpose of this study is to test the fertilizing potential of SCG. It is also to determine

which of the fresh and composted SCG samples is more effective. If the said capacity to fertilize

is proven effective, it can serve as an alternative fertilizing agent from hazardous chemical

fertilizers. This can also serve as an additional reference for future researchers who wish to

conduct the same/related study.

 CHAPTER II

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The study is focused on the effect on growth of the fresh and composted SCG samples. The

study is an experimental design.

Research Setting

The SCG samples were collected from a coffee establishment in Davao City. The growth

expressed in centimeters of the jade plant was measured by the researchers. The experimental

set-up were placed and kept in one of the laboratories of SPC.

Subjects

The study utilized jade plants that are commercially available. The SCG samples used were

sourced from Kawai Café, Davao City.

Measures

The growth rate of the tomato plant was measured based on a measuring tape. The centimeters of

plant growth were expressed in centimeters (cm). The plant growth were measured after 2

weeks. The experimentation date was on February 14-28 of the year 2016.
Research Procedure

Commercially available jade plants (Pachira aquatica) were bought in Bangkerohan Public

Market in Davao City. Uniform plants were selected and transplanted into 300g plastic pots each,

with topsoil mixed with 15% of fresh or 15% of composted SCG and was incubated under

greenhouse conditions (day/night thermal regime 23°/18°±2°C, and 70±10% relative humidity).

Plain topsoil will be used as control (0%). For each treatment and control, 3 replicates (each one

with one jade plant) were prepared and arranged at random in the same above mentioned

greenhouse conditions.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study is only limited on testing the fertilizing potential of fresh and composted SCG samples

on the growth of tomato plants. The researchers will only measure the height of the plants

expressed in centimeters. The experimentation will start from February 1-28, 2016.
 CHAPTER III

RESULTS

A total of 9 pots containers including the negative control was prepared with 255grams of

topsoil, wherein each container contained 0% SCG, 15% fresh SCG and 15% composted SCG

with 3 replicates each. A jade plant was transplanted in each of the containers and was left to

grow for 2 weeks in the same above mentioned greenhouse conditions.

Table 1. Growth rate of jade plant expressed as centimeters exposed to SCG

Replicates Mean Difference

Concentrations
A B C
0% SCG
(Negative 11cm 10cm 10cm 10.33cm 0.33cm
Control)
15% Fresh
12cm 12cm 12cm 12cm 2cm
SCG
15%
Composted 11m 11cm 12cm 11.33cm 1.33cm
SCG

Based on Table 1, results have shown that each of the growth in terms of height of the

jade plant exposed to 0% SCG, 15% fresh SCG and 15% composted SCG were 0.33cm, 2cm and

1.33cm respectively. This showed that 15% concentration of fresh SCG was most effective

among the different concentrations.

Table 2. Significant difference in the growth rate of Pachira aquatic exposed to different

concentrations of SCG in terms of the centimeters

Variable N Mean T value Decision Interpretation

There is no significant
difference in the
15% Fresh SCG 9 12 growth of the jade
1.833 Reject Ho
plant from the fresh
and composted SCG
samples.
There is no significant
difference in the
15% Composted 9 11.33 1.833 Reject Ho growth of the jade
SCG plant from the fresh
and composted SCG
samples.
 CHAPTER IV

Discussion

In the above test results showed, it was well indicated that both fresh and composted SCG has

influenced the growth of the Jade Plants (shown in the table above). For the fresh SCG it

increases slightly the possibility of the growth of the plant due to its low concentration when

applied. Fresh SCG has known to contain high amounts on toxic compounds such as caffeine,

tannins and chlorogenic acids (Batish et al., 2008). ). So, an increase on fresh SCG amounts in

the soil may consequently result in an increased of levels on these toxic compounds. If you

observed in each replicates in the fresh SCG it was well showed that it has only slightly

difference but it is not that significant. It could be the mineral nutrients that helped the

concentration of the coffee grounds. But the higher fresh SCG above to its concentration more

above 10% appears to decrease plant stress and help much more in the plant growth. However in

the composted SCG it was well discussed that it must be applied in higher temperature and also

it is less toxic in the plant (Cruz et al., 2012). In the test results, we have concluded that

composted SCG also increases the chance of a plant growth. Composted coffee grounds above

all mentioned that it is higher in carotenoids content, foliar-N, -K contents and plant growth than

fresh SCG. A composted SCG has a lower level of acidity compared on a fresh SCG because it is

acidic. Also, composted SCG are less toxic compare to fresh form (Mussatto et al., 2011). The

benefit of using coffee grounds as a fertilizer is that it adds organic material to the soil, which

improves drainage, water retention and aeration in the soil.

 CHAPTER V

Summary

The study is conducted for the purpose of testing the fertilizing capability of the SCG on jade

plant in terms of growth. This study is well performed based on the given data and tests. It

includes test results and effects on how effective an SCG on jade plants in terms of growth.

Conclusions

With this work was possible to conclude that fresh and composted SCG can be used as fertilizer

in agriculture. Both forms of SCG (fresh and composted) have showed to improve jade plant

growth when compared to the control. Specifically, the jade plant growth was significantly

increased at concentrations of 15% of fresh SCG and 15% of composted SCG, when compared

to control.

Recommendations

The following are the recommendations arising from the results of the current study:

1.) Consider longer incubation period of extensive results;

2.) Look for potential side effects of the use of SCG as a fertilizer;

3.) Use other synthetic chemicals as positive control;

4.) Comparison of fertilizing properties based on different concentrations of fresh and

composted SCG;

5.) Look into other organic material with fertilizing property and compare the result with

outcomes of the current study;

6.) Use other plants aside from jade plant;

7.) Comparison of fertilizing properties based on different concentrations of fresh and

composted SCG.
References

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bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.). Acta Physiologia Plantarum 30,401-405.

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Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, 3-4.

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