Microbial Consortium: A New Approach in Effective Degradation of Organic Kitchen Wastes

Abstract

Present study was taken up to prepare efficient microbial consortia with concomitant enzymatic activity for the effective degradation of organic kitchen waste. Eleven different consortia were prepared and the compatibility of the bacterial strains within the consortia was checked by gram staining and enzyme production. Seven successful microbial consortia were selected in which all the bacterial strains concomitantly produced all these enzymes (amylase, protease, lipase, cellulose) in a specialized media that are responsible for the degradation of kitchen wastes. Three consortia (3, 5 and 12) were best producers of all the enzymes required for kitchen wastes degradation and it was monitored for 30 days by gradual decrease in the volume of the kitchen wastes. The maximum reduction observed was 65% in consortia no. 12 and 55% in consortia no 7 in just 21 days without any foul smell. The degradation of organic wastes by the bacterial consortia is highly significant. It reduces the time span of degradation and produces no foul odor. Pretreatment of the kitchen wastes can also be for mineralization of garbage wastes and further as biomanure which is a novel approach.