Role of Microbial Enzymes in Agro-waste Composting: A Comprehensive Review
摘要
Microbial enzymes, with their unique abilities, are key players in the recycling and decomposition of various agro-wastes, offering a promising path towards sustainable environmental goals. Agro-wastes such as sugarcane bagasse, paddy and wheat straw, husk, vegetable and food waste, jute fibres, and crop stalks, rich in cellulose, lignin, pectin, etc., can be effectively composted—a variety of microorganisms, including Colletotrichum sp., Bacillus sp., Thermus sp., Oceanobacillus sp., Cerasibacillus sp., Marinimicrobium sp., and Gracilibacillus sp. have been identified as potential agents for this process, producing unique enzymes such as cellulases, hemicellulases, ligninases, proteases, lipases, amylases, and pectinases. The organic composting outcomes significantly benefit farmers and soil, offering a hopeful prospect for sustainable agriculture.
Furthermore, metagenomics, a cutting-edge tool, has revolutionized microbiological research, providing comprehensive insights into the synergetic functions in the compost environment. Metagenomics-based investigations have been instrumental in studying microbial dynamics and physiological changes during composting, keeping researchers informed and up-to-date. This has led to the identification of key microbial communities and metabolic pathways involved in heat and energy production, greenhouse gas mitigation, and nutrient recycling during composting. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Ascomycota, and Actinobacteria are crucial in destabilizing the enzymatic reactions during composting. Microbial enzyme-based agro-waste composting can accelerate and restore traditional organic farming practices, offering a promising alternative to the massive use of chemical fertilizers in modern agriculture. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the microbial enzymes in the compost environment, as identified by both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, informing you about the latest field research techniques.