A Newly Isolated Thermophilic Bacterium,Bacillus LicheniformisHA1 to Accelerate the Organic Matter Decomposition in High Rate Composting

Efficacy of various compost starter cultures was tested in a bench-scale composting system utilizing a ceiling process temperature of 60°C. Variables tested with time were CO2 and NH3 evolution, conversion of carbon and the succession of microorganisms in the compost. When an initial compost pH of 7.0 was used, a laboratory produced starter culture (Culture A) was much less effective than a commercial culture (Culture B). Low activity in the experiment with Culture A was due to a low pH(<5.5) that developed within 30 h after inoculation. Inoculation of Culture A with a thermophilic strain (HA1) of Bacillus licheniformis isolated from Culture B prevented the decrease in pH and significantly increased the rate of decomposition. It also enhanced populations of other thermophilic bacterial groups during the process.