ROSHINI SUSAN ELIAS, M. BALASUNDARAN, ABRAHAM SAMUEL K. AND PUNNEN KURIAN
Abstract
Solid waste management is a critical problem where the amount of organic waste increases with increase in population. Therefore, this study was aimed to develop a microbial consortium to convert the kitchen waste into a useful product. Microorganisms were isolated from different samples and screening tests were carried out to demonstrate the ability of isolates to produce enzymes. Developed a talc-based consortium with compatible enzyme producing bacterial, fungal and actinomycete isolates. Lab trials were carried out to determine the efficiency of a microbial consortium. It was found that the consortium added treatments were able to compost the organic waste speedily without any offensive smell. Analysis of temperature, pH and moisture content during composting process revealed that different parameters changed periodically and became constant at the end of the process. The study can be concluded that the microbial consortium reduced the time span of degradation and produces no foul smell.