The objective of this study was to identify possible alterations in the composition and anaerobic biodigestion process of manure from Canchim and Nellore cattle in different periods in feedlot fed with different forage to concentrate ratios. The experiment was carried out in complete randomized design in factorial arrangement with time as sub-divided plot. Plots were established by four treatments: manure from two diets (40% forage and 60% concentrate and 60% forage and 40% concentrate) and two genotypes (Canchim and Nellore) and sub-plots by three periods of manure collection (initial, intermediate and final). The efficiency of the composting process was evaluated by reductions of total solids, volatile solids, the most probable number (MPN) of total and thermotolerant coliforms, chemical and biochemical demand of oxygen, besides the production and potentials of biogas and methane production. There was no effect of genotype or period on manure composting; however, the increase in the forage proportion in the diet promoted the lower efficiency of the process, in which an increase of 26.31% was found for the volume of methane that was produced with diet with 60% concentrate in relation to the diet with 40% concentrate. Significant reductions in MPN of total and thermotolerant coliforms were also observed at the end of the process, regardless of the treatment tested.
biodigestor; Canchim; energy; methane; Nellore
