Degradation of Sawdust by Thermo Tolerant Microorganisms for Bio Fertilizer Synthesis
Christian O. Asadu *
Department of Chemical Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 01660, Enugu State, Nigeria
Nebechukwu G. Aneke
Department of Chemical Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 01660, Enugu State, Nigeria
Albert C. Agulanna
Project Development Institute (PRODA), Emene Industrial Layout, Enugu, Nigeria
C. N. Eze
Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Sawdust has been neglected over the years in biofertilizer synthesis due to high lignin and cellulose content which are recalcitrant to biodegradation. This research has demonstrated ways of breaking down sawdust through the isolation of thermotolerant Actinomycetes. Six genera of Actinomycetes were isolated from landfill and compost extracts, three genera of the isolates was found to be Streptomycetes spp, while two genera was found to be Rothia spp and one Actinomadura spp. The potential of these organisms in degrading sawdust was examined. Results showed that all the organisms has a great potential of degrading sawdust with Actinomadura spp been the most effective degrading agent based on its high percentage degradation of cellulose (12.31%) followed by Rothia spp (9.90%). Results of the biodegradability analysis also showed that the organisms has the capacity to make sawdust amenable to biodegradation with up to 70.43% of sawdust been biodegradable after 35 days of incubation with Actinomadura spp. The results of these investigations have demonstrated that the consortium of these organisms has the capacity to degrade sawdust during composting.
Keywords: Biodegradability, sawdust, actinomycetes, degradation