Some aspects regarding the microorganisms involved in biodegradable waste composting

Abstract

Microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) have the leading role in the process of composting biodegradable waste. Bacteria are the first to colonize the compost pile and they break down primary proteins and carbohydrates faster than the other types of organisms. Among them there are Bacillus mesentericus, Bacillus vulgatus, Bactehum vulgarae, Bacterium fluorescens, Micrococcus sulfureus, Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus yogenes etc., nitrifying bacteria, myxobacteria and pathogenic bacteria. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common microorganism in the composting process. Fungi have an important role in composting too, but only when the pile starts to dry, because they can survive the environments with low humidity more easily than bacteria. Some types of fungi may require a smaller amount of nitrogen compared to bacteria, being thus able to break down cellulosic materials that bacteria cannot break down. Among the important fungal species, a lot of attention was given to the ones belonging to the genera Aspergillus. Among other important species are: Mucor, Chaetocladium, Thamnidium, Microacus, Absidia, Helicostylum, Chaetomium, Circinella, Motierella etc.