Abstract

CAMACHO, Alejandro D. et al. Potential of different microorganisms for solid waste composting. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2014, vol.32, n.4, pp.291-300. ISSN 2395-8030.

In Mexico high amounts of solid organic waste are produced and require safe treatment. The increase of organic waste that contains polymerized hydrocarbons requires an efficient composting process. An alternative for improving this process is the search for microorganisms in the same waste to accelerate degradation of organic residues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of several microorganisms in the composting process. Seventeen isolates were obtained from several composts. Fungi were characterized by microscopic and colonial morphology and actinobacteria were identified through the amplification of the 16S rDNA. The microorganisms were grown under different pH and temperature. The qualitative and quantitative ability for hydrolysis of cellulose and pectin were tested. Two strains of actinobacteria and one filamentous fungus were selected to prepare an inoculum. A sterile substrate based on domestic and garden wastes was inoculated with the selected strains to evaluate their composting potential. The inoculated substrate was incubated at 45 °C for 70 days. The amount of total nitrogen, total organic matter, pH, total reducing sugars, total carbon and the C/N ratio of each treatment were determined. Data were submitted to univariate and multivariate statistical analyses to evaluate the efficiency of the composting process. The efficiency of the solid waste composting (low ratio C/N, indicative of the compost maturity) showed active participation of the inoculated microorganisms as well as the participation of the microorganisms present in the original substrate.

Keywords : cellulose; pectin; actinobacteria; fungus.

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