Thermophilic Composting Research Articles

Degradation of tetracycline and sulfadiazine during continuous thermophilic composting of pig manure and sawdust

During composting, the thermophilic phase resulted in high degradation of antibiotics in the composting mass; thus temperature is considered as the major factor for degradation of antibiotics. Therefore, to achieve complete removal of antibiotics, the effect of continuous thermophilic composting on the degradation of antibiotics and their effect on antibiotic resistant bacteria in the pig manure were evaluated. Pig manure was mixed with sawdust, spiked with tetracycline (10 and 100 mg/kg) and sulfadiazine (2 and 20 mg/kg) on dry weight (DW) basis and composted at 55°C for six weeks. Based on the organic decomposition, the antibiotics did not affect the composting process significantly, but negatively influenced the bacterial population. Tetracycline clearly exhibited a negative but marginal influence on carbon decomposition at 100 mg/kg level. The bacterial population initially decreased steeply ∼2 logs and slowly increased thereafter. Sulfadiazine and tetracycline resistant bacterial populations were stable/marginally increased after an initial decrease of about 2 or 3–5 logs, respectively. Sulfadiazine was not detectable after three days; whereas, ∼8% of tetracycline was detected after 42 days of composting with a t1/2 of ∼11 days, irrespective of the initial concentration. The presence of tetracycline in the compost after 42 days of thermophilic composting indicates the involvement of a mesophilic microbial-mediated degradation; however, further studies are required to confirm the direct microbial involvement in the degradation of antibiotics.

Isolation and Application of Thermophilic and Psychrophilic Microorganisms in the Composting Process

Because temperature is a limited factor in compost process, we attempted to isolate and screen efficient themophilic and psychrophilic strains from composts and soils adapting to high and low temperature, respectively. Firstly, two cellulose-effectively-decomposing thermophilic bacteria, HNS39 and HNC41, were screened from 13 thermophilic compost samples and one soil sample from tropical rain forest. By addition of microbial agents with single HNS39, HNC41, or their mixture (1:1 v/v), the progress of composing was more effectively improved with HNS39. According to 16S rDNA gene sequencing and its growth characteristics, HNS39 was identified as Geobacillus sp. Meanwhile, the psychrotrophs strains of B6-38, B10-40, B10-44 isolated, could rapidly reproduce and effectively degrade organic compounds with highest enzyme activity in low temperature from 10 samples collected from sewage sludge, poultry manure and paddy soil. It was indicated that cold-adapted bacteria had a better effect on the raise of composting temperature, especially B6-38 with the highest protease activity of 46.08 U/ml. It grew fast and had good ability of enzyme production and strong organic degradation capabilities at 15 °C. By identification, Strain B6-38 was associated with Aeromonasa sp. Therefore, the research was fully shown that the isolated thermophilic and psychrophilic microorganisms had high potential of application in the composting under high and low temperature.

The modelling of combined strategies to achieve thermophilic composting of sludge in cold region

Low ambient temperature presents a significant technical challenge for efficient operation of the composting facility located in cold region. In this study, mathematical model was used as a tool to develop the operational strategy to accomplish thermophilic composting of sewage sludge in the cold-climate environment. The correlations between composting temperature, water volatilization, heat loss rate, organics degradation and ambient temperature, feedstock temperature, sludge moisture and aeration rate were predicted and evaluated by using the numerical simulation method. The feasibility of optimizing air supply, adjusting feedstock moisture and elevating starting temperature in the low temperature surroundings was investigated. The results obtained from both mathematical modelling and pilot-scale composting experiments demonstrated that the combined strategies of the three approaches could preliminarily achieve material drying, pathogen inactivation and organics stabilization within 20 days at the ambient temperature as low as −24 °C. However, it seems difficult for anyone of these approaches to meet the requirement of thermophilic composting, independently.

Phytotoxicity Evolution of Biowastes Undergoing Aerobic Decomposition

This study is mainly focused on the phytotoxicity improvement within five to six weeks of thermophilic composting of biowastes. Two sets of experiments were conducted involving both sawdust and rice husk as bulking agents, which were composted in self-heating reactors with potato-peel industrial waste and grass clippings as organic materials. The main variables observed over time were temperature, oxygen uptake rate (OUR), biodegradability, and germination index (GI). The effects of compost water extracts on seed germination and primary root growth of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) were measured to calculate the germination index (GI). The biodegradability was well assessed by measuring lignin content, using the Klason method. The experimental results showed that initial compositions strongly determined the profiles of phytotoxicity and the period of maturation. The phytotoxicity assessment in the experiments with sawdust revealed that after 39 days of composting, the GI attained the maximum value of 30%, but using rice husk, it was possible to reach 70% in the same period of time. Our findings showed that, at a certain point, higher cumulative OUR led to lower germination index, and proportional relationship between the cumulative OUR and GI was observed, after thermophilic phase.

Potential of Microbial Inoculated Water Hyacinth Amended Thermophilic Composting and Vermicomposting in Biodegradation of Agro-Industrial Waste

Potential of Streptomyces viridosporus , Aspergillus niger and Moraxella osloensis combination in thermophilic composting followed vermicomposting of jatropha seed cake with 2:1 ratio of Water Hyacinth (WH) and Cow Dung (CD) was tested. Significant decrement in MC, TOC, and C: N ratio and increment in temperature, TP was observed. TKN, pH and TK were first increases in composting and then decreased in vermin composting. Most stable and matured vermin compost was obtained in S1 substrate in terms of C: N ratio below 20 (19.50 ± 1.10). Maximum earthworm number (47 ± 6), maximum net biomass worm −1 (150 ± 15.6) obtained in S3 substrate and maximum cocoons (23 ± 2) were counted S1 substrate. 20% (w/w) vermin compost amended soil induced the growth in root length, shoot length and 100% GI while >20% (w/w) was inhibitory for plant growth. This approach decreases time period of degradation and produce good quality vermin compost if mixed up to 20%.

Determination of Optimal Pile Dimensions during Thermophillic Windrow Composting of Municipal Solid Waste (Msw) in Sri Lanka

 Abstract—This study was done to determine the optimal pile dimensions for thermophilic composting and to determine turning frequency to maintain thermophillic conditions. The results showed that minimizing of surface area to volume ratio (SA/V) of compost piles is important to increase the efficiency of the process. All the piles used for the study recorded thermophilic temperatures irrespective of having SA/V ratio less than 1 as stated in the literature. The results further indicated that attention should be given on deciding the temperature measuring points of the compost pile and revealed that due to the heterogeneity of municipal waste, changes of volatile solids and moisture content are not suitable indicators of decomposition rates of waste. The best measure of decomposition of organic matter in field scale composting of MSW is the temperature profile of a pile and the heat generated in the pile. The temperature profile of the composting mass is least affected by heterogeneity of the waste and least prone to field scale sampling errors by being the easiest parameter to measure in a field site. Therefore, good attention should be given on type of waste, maximum height and turning frequency of the pile when designing a windrow composting plants.

Introduction: Nutrient and Water Management Practices for Improving Crop Growth, Yield, and Quality Workshop

P lant nutrient management and irrigation practices are crucial in helping achieve optimal crop growth, yield, quality, and grower profitability (Mikkelsen, 2011). As the availability of suitable land for crop production decreases and the concern for adequate water increases, more efficient methods of irrigation are needed (De Pascale et al., 2011). To improve agricultural sustainability in Hawaii, growers need to rely more on locally produced amendments and less on out-of-state inputs in their fertility program. Common organic amendments that can be used in conventional and organic vegetable production directly affect soil characteristics, nutrition, and biological properties, and as such, their nutrient contribution needs to be calculated. The objective of this workshop was to have a forum to exchange ideas and information on plant nutrient and water management. These workshop papers provide a diverse range of topics in nutrient and water management with insights into some key Hawaii and Florida practices, sites of the current and future ASHS conferences. The papers cover rootstock and irrigation effects on ‘Gala’ apple mineral nutrition, growth, fruit quality, and yield in Idaho; use of locally produced inputs to improve crop growth, quality, and grower profitability in Hawaii; and a fertility program for vegetables with organic amendments and inorganic fertilizers in Florida. The paper on rootstock and irrigation integrates irrigation methods and rootstock vigor as they affect mineral nutrients and apple tree growth, fruit yield, and quality. The relationships between tree growth, fruit quality attributes, yield, and mineral nutrients are detailed. In the paper on locally produced inputs in Hawaii, factors that influence the quality, application, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of locally produced composts, vermicomposts, rendered animal products, and algae are discussed. Aqueous extracts of vermicomposts and thermophilic composts can effectively improve crop growth and reduce costs associated with the use of these inputs. The vegetable fertility program paper looks at organic amendments used in conventional and organic vegetable production in Florida, including cover crops, compost, and animal manure, and how they affect soil properties, nutrients, and microbial biomass. When considered as part of nutrient sources in a fertility program, their nutrient contributions should be considered. The papers from this workshop highlight some leading research and practices and help provide insights into further research and studies.

Biochemical properties of compost tea associated with compost quality and effects on pak choi growth

This study investigated the links between variability in compost quality, the biochemical characteristics of their extracts (compost tea) and plant growth indicator through a series of experiments. Five different commercially produced composts were selected for quality evaluation. They were: (i) chicken manure-based thermophilic compost (ii) green waste thermophilic compost (iii) food waste vermicompost; (iv) chicken manure-based vermicompost (aged); and (v) chicken manure-based vermicompost (fresh). Compost teas were prepared from each compost using aerated extraction method with compost to water ratio of 1:10 (v:v), and were applied weekly for four weeks to pak choi (Brassica rapa cv Bonsai, Chinensis group) grown in a peat-perlite medium. The results demonstrated that compost quality generally impacted: (i) nutrient extraction efficiency (ii) microbial activity (iii) phytohormones and (iv) total nutrient content of the extracts. These differences in extract quality similarly impacted growth and mineral nutrient status of pak choi. Applications of compost tea increased growth and mineral nutrient content of pak choi. The responses were greater with aged chicken manure-based vermicompost tea, chicken manure-based thermophilic compost tea, and food waste vermicompost tea. The positive influence on plant growth was largely associated with mineral N and gibberellin (GA4) present in the teas. In vitro cultivation of pak choi with GA4 concentrations similar to those measured in the teas confirmed a direct positive effect of GA4 on growth. These findings suggest that either vermicompost or thermophilic compost can be used for the production of compost tea but the tea quality and its effect on plant may be predicted based on compost quality.

Heat inactivation of Salmonella spp. in fresh poultry compost by simulating early phase of composting process

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of moisture on thermal inactivation of Salmonella spp. in poultry litter under optimal composting conditions. Thermal inactivation of Salmonella was studied in fresh poultry compost by simulating early phase of composting process. A mixture of three Salmonella serotypes grown in Tryptic soy broth with rifampin (TSB-R) was inoculated in fresh compost with 40 or 50% moisture at a final concentration of c. 7 log CFU g(-1). The inoculated compost was kept in an environmental chamber which was programmed to rise from room temperature to target composting temperatures in 2 days. In poultry compost with optimal moisture content (50%), Salmonella spp. survived for 96, 72 and 24 h at 50, 55 and 60°C, respectively, as compared with 264, 144 and 72 h at 50, 55 and 60°C, respectively, in compost with suboptimal moisture (40%). Pathogen decline was faster during the come-up time owing to higher ammonia volatilization. Our results demonstrated that Salmonella spp. survived longer in fresh poultry compost with suboptimal moisture of 40% than in compost with optimal moisture of 50% during thermophilic composting. High nitrogen content of the poultry compost is an additional factor contributing to Salmonella inactivation through ammonia volatilization during thermal exposure. This research validated the effectiveness of the current composting guidelines on Salmonella inactivation in fresh poultry compost. Both initial moisture level and ammonia volatilization are important factors affecting microbiological safety and quality of compost product.

Pak Choi (Brassica rapa, Chinensis Group) Yield, Phytonutrient Content, and Soil Biological Properties as Affected by Vermicompost-to-water Ratio Used for Extraction

Previous work has demonstrated the potential of compost tea to enhance plant growth and nutritional status. One factor thought to contribute to variability in the efficacy of compost tea is the amount of compost per unit volume of water. To address these gaps in our understanding, two greenhouse trials and two field trials were conducted to investigate the effects of various extraction ratios on the growth, mineral nitrogen (N), and phytonutrient content of pak choi (Brassica rapa, Chinensis) and on soil biological properties. In greenhouse experiments, plants were fertilized with a single rate of chicken manure-based thermophilic compost. In field trials, three fertilizer treatments: 1) rendered meat byproduct or Tankage (Island Commodities, Honolulu, HI); 2) soluble fertilizer (16:16:16); and 3) chicken manure-based thermophilic compost were applied. Aerated vermicompost teas were prepared using chicken manure-based vermicompost and water at various ratios. Pak choi plants were treated weekly for 4 weeks with 10%, 5%, 3%, and 1% vermicompost teas in the greenhouse experiments and 10% and 5% teas in the field trials. Applications of vermicompost tea significantly increased plant growth, N content, total carotenoids, and total glucosinolates in plant tissue; this response was greatest in chicken manure-fertilized treatments. Increases in yield and phytonutrient content were associated with increased N uptake. Vermicompost tea also increased soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity over the control (water). Plant growth, phytonutrient content, and microbial activities in soil increased with increasing concentrations of vermicompost tea. Within the range of concentrations evaluated (1%–10%), greatest plant growth response was observed with 5% and 10% vermicompost tea, indicating that the optimal water-to-vermicompost ratio for extraction is lower than 50:1 and is likely in the range of 10:1 to 20:1. The findings suggest that vermicompost tea could be used to improve plant nutrient status and enhance soil biological properties in vegetable production.

Phytotoxicity and speciation of copper and nickel in composted sewage sludge

In recent years, sewage sludge production in Poland has increased sharply. Composting is one of the most preferable methods for sewage sludge utilization. Compost can improve the physical and chemical properties of soil. However, the quality of sewage sludge composts should be assessed before soil application by using biological and chemical methods. A germination test is used as a biological index to determine the possible phytotoxic effect of composts. Chemical methods are helpful in assessment of availability of metals to plants. This study has been conducted to validate the effect of composting process on phytotoxicty, speciation and availability of copper and nickel in sewage sludge composted with sawdust and wheat straw. The composting process of organic wastes was carried out in chambers of a bioreactor for 28 days; afterwards each chamber was emptied and the content was stored in a closed room for 3 months to allow the maturation process to complete. Samples for analysis were collected at three characteristic phases of the composting process: mesophilic, thermophilic and mature compost. Determinations of the changes in metal speciation as well as metal bioavailability were achieved, respectively, with the technique of BCR sequential analysis and single extraction method using DTPA. Phytotoxicity of the analyzed composts was evaluated with the germination index using cress seeds. It was found that an increasing proportion of sewage sludge in composted mixtures increased copper and nickel content in compost fractions as well as bioavailable quantities of these metals. The germination index increased only during the composting process of a mixture containing 30% of sewage sludge. The compost with 75% share of sewage sludge strongly inhibited germination of cress seeds. The process of compost maturation resulted in an increase of copper in fractions I and III. However, the smallest amounts of copper were determined in exchangeable bonds and the highest ones were determined in bonds with organic matter and sulphides. Composting sewage sludge with sawdust and wheat

Study on Dynamics Model of Biodegration Property of Organic Matter in Aerobic Thermophilic Composting Reactor for Sanitary Disposal of Human Feces

Aerobic composting is a method for sanitary disposal of human feces as has been used in bio-toilet systems. In this study, batch experiments were conducted using a closed aerobic composting reactor with sawdust as the bulky matrix to simulate the condition of a bio-toilet for sanitary disposal of human feces. Attention was paid to the Biodegration property of organic matter. Under a controlled condition of temperature(60°C), moisture content(60%), and continuous air supply, more than 70% fecal organic removal was obtained in a two-week composting period. Based on assumptions that the organic matter of feces was invided into two parts included degradation and undegradation, the organic matter’s biochemical degradation of similar level 1 dynamics model can build. Using the experimental data of composting reaction under thermophilic composting conditions, calculated out respectively reaction kinetics constants 0.4413. Thermophilic composting could be considered to reach more than 70% fecal organic removal, shortening maturity period of compost. The similar level 1 dynamics model improve design of composting reactor and use of bio-toilet.

Effects of Continuous Thermophilic Composting (CTC) on Bacterial Community in the Active Composting Process

The method of continuous thermophilic composting (CTC) remarkably shortened the active composting cycle and enhanced the compost stability. Effects of CTC on the quantities of bacteria, with a comparison to the traditional composting (TC) method, were explored by plate count with incubation at 30, 40 and 50°C, respectively, and by quantitative PCR targeting the universal bacterial 16S rRNA genes and the Bacillus 16S rRNA genes. The comparison of cultivatable or uncultivatable bacterial numbers indicated that CTC might have increased the biomass of bacteria, especially Bacillus spp., during the composting. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis was employed to investigate the effects of CTC on bacterial diversity, and a community dominated by fewer species was detected in a typical CTC run. The analysis of sequence and phylogeny based on DGGE indicated that the continuously high temperature had changed the structure of bacterial community and strengthened the mainstay role of the thermophilic and spore-forming Bacillus spp. in CTC run.

Biodegradation of Organic Matter and Holding of N,P during Aerobic Thermophilic Composting of Human Feces

Abstract Aerobic composting is a method for sanitary disposal of human feces as has been used in bio-toilet systems. As the composting method can be used at family in city to save water and to control water pollution, it would be favorable if the composting process could be controlled to improve biodegradation of organic matters and holding of N,P. In this study, batch experiments were conducted using a closed aerobic composting reactor with sawdust as the bulky matrix to simulate the condition of a bio-toilet for sanitary disposal of human feces. Attention was paid to the Biodegradation of organic matter and holding of N,P. Under a controlled condition of temperature at 60 °C, moisture content at 60%, and continuous air supply, more than 70% fecal organic mattres removal was obtained while merely 17% fecal nitrogen loss without loss of P was observed in a two-week composting period. The nitrogen loss was found to occur mainly in the frst day with quick depletion of inorganic nitrogen and unchanged organic nitrogen content. The fecal NH4-N which was the main compoernent of the inorganic nitrogen (>90%) decreased quickly in the first day, gradually decreased in the following days, and finally disappeared. Thermophilic composting could be considered to keep more than 70% fecal organic matters removal, decreasing fecal nitrogen loss, keep more organic nitrogen content without loss of P in the composts for well controling water pollution of lake, waterland or wetland.

Effects of heat treatment on hydrogen production potential and microbial community of thermophilic compost enrichment cultures

Cellulosic plant and waste materials are potential resources for fermentative hydrogen production. In this study, hydrogen producing, cellulolytic cultures were enriched from compost material at 52, 60 and 70 °C. Highest cellulose degradation and highest H 2 yield were 57% and 1.4 mol-H 2 mol-hexose −1 (2.4 mol-H 2 mol-hexose-degraded −1), respectively, obtained at 52 °C with the heat-treated (80 °C for 20 min) enrichment culture. Heat-treatments as well as the sequential enrichments decreased the diversity of microbial communities. The enrichments contained mainly bacteria from families Thermoanaerobacteriaceae and Clostridiaceae, from which a bacterium closely related to Thermoanaerobium thermosaccharolyticum was mainly responsible for hydrogen production and bacteria closely related to Clostridium cellulosi and Clostridium stercorarium were responsible for cellulose degradation.

Changes in the actinomycetal communities during continuous thermophilic composting as revealed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and quantitative PCR

Actinomycetes degrade cellulose and solubilize lignin during composting. Changes in the diversity of the actinomycetal communities and the 16S rDNA copy numbers of actinomycetes were monitored by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), respectively, during continuous thermophilic composting (CTC) and traditional composting (TC). qPCR indicated that the copy numbers from the CTC samples were 25-80% higher than those from the TC samples during similar phases of active composting and they were lower than 3×10(9) gene copies/g (dry weight) in the mature compost from both runs. DGGE showed a more diverse actinomycetal community in the CTC than in TC, averaging 16 bands as compared to 12 bands, at the post peak temperature phase. The study suggested that temperatures higher than 50 °C in CTC benefited the growth of actinomycetes.

Effects of Raw Materials and Bulking Agents on the Thermophilic Composting Process

Three typical biological solid wastes, animal manure, garbage, and sewage sludge, were compared with regard for the composting process and the changes in microbial community structure. The effect of different bulking agents such as rice straw, vermiculite, sawdust, and waste paper were compared in manure compost. The differences in the microbial community were characterized by the quinone profile method. The highest mass reduction was found in garbage composting (56.8%), compared to manure and sludge at 25% and 20.2%, respectively. A quinone content of 305.2 micromol/kg was observed in the late stage of garbage composting, although the diversity index of quinone profile was 9.7, lower than that in manure composting. The predominant quinone species were found to be MK-7, which corresponds to gram positive bacteria with low G+C content such as Bacillus. The predominance of MK-7 was especially found in garbage and sludge composting process, while the increase in quinones with partially saturated long side chain was shown in late composting process of manure, which corresponded to the proliferation of Actinobacteria. The effect of different bulking agents on the composting process was much smaller than the effect of different raw materials. High organic matter content in the raw materials results in a higher microbial biomass and activity, which was connected to the high mass reduction rate.

Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Pepper Plants Amended with Two Sanitized Sewage Sludges

Organic wastes such as sewage sludge have been successfully used to increase crop productivity of horticultural soils. Nevertheless, considerations of the impact of sludges on vegetable and fruit quality have received little attention. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to investigate the impact of two sanitized sewage sludges, autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) and compost sludge, on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of pepper plants ( Capsicum annuum L. cv. Piquillo) grown in the greenhouse. Two doses of ATAD (15 and 30% v/v) and three of composted sludge (15, 30, and 45%) were applied to a peat-based potting mix. Unamended substrate was included as control. ATAD and composted sludge increased leaf, shoot, and root dry matter, as well as fruit yield, mainly due to a higher number of fruits per plant. There was no effect of sludge on fruit size (dry matter per fruit and diameter). The concentrations of Zn and Cu in fruit increased with the addition of sewage sludges. Nevertheless, the levels of these elements remained below toxic thresholds. Pepper fruits from sludge-amended plants maintained low concentrations of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, thus indicating low pungency level, in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Control Board of "Lodosa Piquillo peppers" Origin Denomination. The application of sludges did not modify the concentration of vitamin C (ASC) in fruit, whereas the highest doses of composted sludge tended to increase the content of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, without change in the GSH/GSSG ratio. There were no effects of sludge on the transcript levels of enzymes involved in the synthesis of vitamin C, l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH) or in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR), and glutathione reductase (GR). Results suggest that the synthesis and degradation of ASC and GSH were compensated for in most of the treatments assayed. The application of sanitized sludges to pepper plants can improve pepper yield without loss of food nutritional quality, in terms of fruit size and vitamin C, glutathione, and capsaicinoid contents.

Diversity of Bacteria and Glycosyl Hydrolase Family 48 Genes in Cellulolytic Consortia Enriched from Thermophilic Biocompost

The enrichment from nature of novel microbial communities with high cellulolytic activity is useful in the identification of novel organisms and novel functions that enhance the fundamental understanding of microbial cellulose degradation. In this work we identify predominant organisms in three cellulolytic enrichment cultures with thermophilic compost as an inoculum. Community structure based on 16S rRNA gene clone libraries featured extensive representation of clostridia from cluster III, with minor representation of clostridial clusters I and XIV and a novel Lutispora species cluster. Our studies reveal different levels of 16S rRNA gene diversity, ranging from 3 to 18 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), as well as variability in community membership across the three enrichment cultures. By comparison, glycosyl hydrolase family 48 (GHF48) diversity analyses revealed a narrower breadth of novel clostridial genes associated with cultured and uncultured cellulose degraders. The novel GHF48 genes identified in this study were related to the novel clostridia Clostridium straminisolvens and Clostridium clariflavum, with one cluster sharing as little as 73% sequence similarity with the closest known relative. In all, 14 new GHF48 gene sequences were added to the known diversity of 35 genes from cultured species.

Isolation and Characterization of Thermophilic Cellulase-Producing Bacteria from Empty Fruit Bunches-Palm Oil Mill Effluent Compost

Problems statement: Lack of information on locally isolated cellulase-producing bacterium in thermophilic compost using a mixture of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) and Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) as composting materials. Approach: The isolation of microbes from compost heap was conducted at day 7 of composting process where the mixture of composting materials consisted of 45.8% cellulose, 17.1% hemicellulose and 28.3% lignin content. The temperature, pH and moisture content of the composting pile at day 7 treatment were 58.3, 8.1 and 65.5°C, respectively. The morphological analysis of the isolated microbes was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Gram stain method. The congo red test was conducted in order to detect 1% CMC agar degradation activities. Total genomic DNAs were extracted from approximately 1.0 g of mixed compost and amplified by using PCR primers. The PCR product was sequent to identify the nearest relatives of 16S rRNA genes. The localization of bacteria chromosomes was determined by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis. Results: Single isolated bacteria species was successfully isolated from Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB)-Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) compost at thermophilic stage. Restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles of the DNAs coding for the 16S rRNAs with the phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolated bacteria from EFB-POME thermophilic compost gave the highest homology (99%) with similarity to Geobacillus pallidus. The strain was spore forming bacteria and able to grow at 60°C with pH 7. Conclusion: Thermophilic bacteria strain, Geobacillus pallidus was successfully isolated from Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) and Palm Oil Mil Effluent (POME) compost and characterized.