Synthetic microbial consortia to enhance the biodegradation of compost odor by biotrickling filter

Composting generates odorous gases, including ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Biological Trickling Filter (BTF) is effective for odor treatment, but it may have limitations with hydrophobic VOCs. In this study, a strain of Bacillus subtilis with ammonia-reducing ability, a strain of Bacillus cereus with desulfurization ability and a strain of Schizophyllum commune with the ability to degrade dimethyl disulfide were isolated and screened. The three strains were combined to create synthetic microbial consortia for enhancing odor treatment in the BTF. Compared to the activated sludge control, the BTF with synthetic microbial consortia removed 92.43% ammonia, 92.75% hydrogen sulfide. Furthermore, it demonstrated a significant improvement in the removal rates of p-methyl mercaptan, methyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide. High-throughput sequencing was conducted on the fillers of the synthetic microbial consortiainoculated BTF to analyze the microbial community composition.

Automated summary

This study successfully isolated and screened strains with the ability to degrade ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur compounds, and then combined them to create synthetic microbial consortia for enhancing odor treatment in the BTF. The results showed that the BTF with synthetic microbial consortia significantly improved the removal rates of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, as well as p-methyl mercaptan, methyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide.