Composting is a largely aerobic process. Despite the efforts of regular turning, composting will consist of both aerobic and anaerobic microbes. Decomposition is most effective by the dynamic actions where each microbe provides a different function within the process.
For example, in typical household waste, Lactobacillus, leuconostoc and pseudomonas are typical, with thermophilic Thermus genus increasing as thematic process starts to dominate. Once composting is nearing high temperatures, reduction in gram-nagative bacteria sharply decline (Dees & Ghiorse) and so bacteria diversity reduces.
It is important to retain diversity of microbial populations when decomposing. Studies have shown by (J Biosci Bioeng. 2001) that Lactobacillus spp and Acetobacter spp multiply and dominate in low pH and temperatures at the beginning composting, decomposing proteins and fermenting sugars to form lactic acids. Similarly, Actinobacteria increase results in gradual decomposition of lignin and cellulose.
Not only is the diversity important, but many of these microbes interact synergistically. In the case of Lactobacillus species, these have a close relationship with yeasts that work to stimulate the function of producing lactic acids production (J Biosci Bioeng. 2001). In turn this production acts as feed for the aerobic bacteria that are the dominant drivers of decomposition in composting system.
In addition, Bacillus aerobic species will secrete catabolic enzymes such as protease that will start to slowly raise the pH to balance out the acidity (Holt JG. 1986) of other bacteria.
Actiferm
Size: 2 Litre Box
EM Actiferm contains lactic acid bacteria, phototrophic, yeast, actinomycetes, fungi, bacteria of both aerobic and anaerobic. The diversity of the microbes has been carefully put together to produce a product that incorporates the complex relationships within this community. The result can help to balance the community of microbes, synergistically, so that decomposition becomes more effective and less loss of nutrients through loss of effective microbes.
https://bmcmicrobiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2180-10-94
