Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Anaerobic Night Soil Biodegrading Inoculum

Abstract

The efficiency of anaerobic night soil (human excreta) biodegradation depends on the characteristics of the inoculum used. This anaerobic microbial inoculum (AMI) contains a microbial consortium, including rate-limiting methanogens whose growth depends on various physicochemical and biological parameters necessitating the inoculum characterisation essential for optimum night soil (NS) biodegradation. The inoculum contained 24.567 g/L (±0.07) total solid, 5.022 (±0.57) g/L total dissolved solid, 18.148 (±0.0.058) g/L volatile solid (VS), and 7.0±0.2 pH. The Gas chromatography analysis confirmed the presence of a small amount of volatile fatty acid (VFA), (≤ 4 mM except propionate) showing rapid conversion of VFA to methane, and 55% methane. Further, the presence of methanosaetaceae group of methanogens was detected through Taqman probe-based real-time PCR. The inoculum performance was evaluated for NS biodegradation in semicontinuous mode of feeding in four 2 L anaerobic biodigesters (2D HRT, 4D HRT, 5D HRT, and 10D HRT) with varying hydraulic retention time (HRT) (2, 5, 8, and 10 days, respectively) at mesophilic temperature (35°C). After 5 HRT, VS reduction for 2D HRT and 5D HRT was <40% while for 8D HRT and 10D HRT was >45-50% and >45-60%, respectively. The methane content was <20% in biogas for 2 and 5 days HRT while for 8 and 10 days >45-50% and 50-65% methane, respectively. The % VS reduction and methane content showed the overfeeding of NS in biodigesters 2D HRT and 5D HRT while 8D HRT showed towards optimum and 10D HRT optimum with improved VS reduction and methane content.