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

Qihang Su; Dunwu Dai; Youjun Liao; Hongbo Han; Jian Wu; Zhuqing Ren

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129698

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

Bioresour Technol. 2023 Nov:387:129698. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129698. Epub 2023 Aug 19.

Authors

Qihang Su¹, Dunwu Dai¹, Youjun Liao¹, Hongbo Han¹, Jian Wu², Zhuqing Ren³

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
² Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address: wujian@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
³ Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address: renzq@mail.hzau.edu.cn.

PMID: 37598805
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129698

Abstract

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 consortia-inoculated BTF to analyze the microbial community composition.

Keywords: Biological trickling filter; Compost; Odor pollutants; Synthetic microbial consortia.

MeSH terms

Ammonia
Composting*
Hydrogen Sulfide*
Microbial Consortia
Odorants
Volatile Organic Compounds*

Substances

dimethyl disulfide
Ammonia
Hydrogen Sulfide
Volatile Organic Compounds