International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research and Review

Online ISSN: 2581-8945

Available Online at http://www.ijmscrr.in Volume 1|Issue 01 (November-December)|2018 Page: 21-25
Original Research Paper

Role of Microorganisms in Bioconversion of Solid Wastes andEconomic

Development
Corresponding Author:
Onianwah Ifeanyichukwu Fidelis
Rexall Research Servives, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Article Received: 30-September-2018 Revised: 21-October-2028 Accepted: 10-November-2018
ABSTRACT:
Solid wastes are biologically converted into value added products by physiological action of microorganisms. These
processes occur under controlled environmental condition. It could be in the form of submerged fermentation or as
solid-state fermentation technology. Substrates used are mainly agricultural, industrial and domestic wastes. These
wastes must possess qualities that will support microbial activities and are usually rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fats
and oil. Microorganisms used include bacteria, mould, yeasts and fungi. These organisms are generally regarded as
safe and cannot cause harm to the consumers. Products, such as antibiotics, biogas, biofuel, biofertilizers, bioplastic,
organic manure, organic acids, flavours, enzymes, etc are derived from wastes bioconversion. Bioconversion of solid
wastes to value-added products has contributed immensely to the economic development of the industrialized nations
in area of job creation, income generation and in improving the quality of life through agriculture and industrial
development. It minimizes wastes generation and reduces the size or land space used as landfill.

Key Words: Bioconversion, Value-added Products, Microorganisms, Organic Wastes, Microbial Metabolites, Solid
State Fermentation

INTRODUCTION: organic wastes is environment-friendly for waste

Bioconversion of waste is a biological process by
which organic materials in the wastes are
microbiologically converted into more simple and
beneficial products. The processes could be aerobic,
anaerobic or fermentative under controlled conditions.
They are currently in use in food, agriculture,
beverages, energy and pharmaceutical industries.
Bioconversion of solid wastes has facilitated reduced
urban waste pollution through biological wastes
management practices. The processes involved in solid
wastes conversion are mainly submerged fermentation
and solid-state techniques. Using these techniques,
products such as flavours, organic acids, enzymes,
antibiotics, biofeul and biogas have been produced
from solid waste under controlled operational
conditions and rightchoice microorganisms.
management since their disposal presents an added
cost to processors and direct disposal to soil or landfill
causes serious environmental problems (Laufenberg, et
al, .2003). Substrates such as food remnants, sweet
potato residue, cassava bagasse, sugarcane bagasse,
wheat bran, corncob, spent brewing grains, apple
pomace, grape pomace, rice bran, soya bean hull, coffee
husk, barley straw and bran, sewage, groundnut shell,
and animal wastes are commonly used (Couto, 2008).
Microbes in Bioconversion Processes:
These include bacteria, fungi, yeasts and protozoa. The
nature of substrate, product desired and type of process
and the process parameters determine the type of
organism to be used. Organism to be used must be
“generally regarded as safe” (GRAS).

Waste Materials Used as Microbial Substrates: Products of Waste Bioconversion:

The substrates for generation of value added products
are mainly organic wastes and include domestic,
agricultural and industrial wastes. Food and
agricultural processing industries produce large
amount of wastes annually worldwide and this has
caused serious disposal problems in countries where
the economy is largely based on agriculture
(Laufenberg, et al,.2003). Currently, these agro- wastes
are either naturally allowed to decay in the field or are
burnt. They have also been incriminated in serious
environmental pollutions. The bioconversion of these
Biogas:
This is mainly in the form of biomethane formed
through the process of Biomethanation, a process by
which organic material in the waste is
microbiologically converted under anaerobic
conditions to biogas (Laufenberg, et al, .2003). There are
three main groups of microorganisms involved in this
process e.g. fermenting bacteria, organic acid
oxidizing bacteria, and methanogenic archaea
(National Centre for Biotechnology Information-
NCBI) (Zehnder et. al., 1982). The substrates for

IJMSCRR: Vol 01, Issue 01 2018 Page | 21

biomethanation are mainly organic in origin and
include domestic, agricultural and industrial wastes.
Biomethane, which is a product of biomethanation is a
natural occurring gas produced by anaerobic digestion
of organic matter such as dead animal and plant
material, manure, sewage, food and some other organic
wastes, etc (Bhattacharyya, 2008). The use of organic
matter for biomethane production also improves
hygienic conditions and quality of life in the rural
areas, and reduces the risk of water pollution.
Biofuels:
Biofuels are alternative fuels made from plant and
plant-derived resources. Biofuels are used mainly for
transportation. There are two types of biofuels:
bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol, the principal fuel
used as substitute for petrol for road transport vehicles,
is mainly produced by the sugar fermentation process
of cellulose (starch), which is mostly derived from
Cereals (eg Maize), Cassava, Sugar beet and Sugar
cane. Biodiesel on the other hand is mainly produced
from oil crops such as Rapeseed, Palm, Sunflowerseed
and Soybean (FAO/STAT, 2008)
The Need for Biofuels:
Energy demand is increasing on daily basis, with much
of the increase in demand predicted to originate from
developing countries. The vast majority of energy is
currently derived from fossils fuels, a limited, non-
renewable and polluting resource. Brazil is the world‟s
leader in biofuels, with 30% of transport fuel currently
derived from biomass. In addition, many countries are
setting up new initiatives for the production and use of
biofuels for transportation (FAO/STAT, 2008).
Switching to biofuels for transportation needs would
reduce energy dependency on oil imports and could
boost rural development, providing farmers with an
additional source of income. One of the environmental
advantages of biofuels is that they are carbon-neutral:
the carbon dioxide they release upon combustion is
initially extracted from the atmosphere during biomass
production, resulting in zero net greenhouse gas
emissions (Bhattacharyya, 2008). Biofuels also
reduce the release of volatileorganic compounds
(VOCs), as the addition of ethanol to gasoline
oxygenates the fuel mixture (Bhattacharyya, 2008) so
it burns more completely.
Microbes involved in Biofuel and Biogas
Production:
Microbes involved in biofuel and biogas production
include (1) acid forming bacteria (2)
homoacetogenic bacteria (3) cellulolytic bacteria (4)
carbon dioxide reducing bacteria and (5) methanogenic
bacteria. These organisms include Bacillus cereus,
Serratia marcescens, Arthrobacter spp,
Methanobacterium, Methanobrevibacterium, etc.
However, fungi, yeasts and protozoa are also involved.
IJMSCRR: Vol 01, Issue 01 2018
The microbes produce enzymes such as laccases,
xylanases, glucosidases, nitrogenases, enzymes for
CO2 reduction and lignocelluloses based biofuels and
acetate production. According to Bhattacharyya (2008),
complex process leading to generation of methane and
carbon dioxide involves Hydrolysis, Acidification,
Acetogenesis and Methanogenesis.
Bioplastics:
Bioplastic, also known as biobased plastics are plastics
made from agricultural by-products and also from used
plastic bottles and other containers using
microorganisms. Common plastics known as fossil-
fuel plastics (also called petrobased polymers), are
derived from petroleum or natural gas. Petrobased
plastics require more fossil fuels and generate more
greenhouse gases than the production of biobased
polymers. Some, but not all, bioplastics are designed to
biodegrade. Biodegradable bioplastics can break down
in either anaerobic or aerobic environment, depending
on how they are made. They are usually produced
from from substrates containing starch, cellulose,
biopolymers, and a variety of other materials.
Applications of Bioplastics:
Bioplastics are used for disposable items, such as
packaging, crockery, cutlery, pots, bowls, and straws.
They are also used for bags, trays, fruit and vegetable
containers and blister foils, egg cartons, meat
packaging and bottling for soft drinks and dairy
products (Suszkiw, 2005). These plastics are also used
in non-disposable applications including mobile phone
casings, carpet fibers, insulation car interiors, fuel
lines, and plastic piping. New electroactive bioplastics
are being developed that can be used to carry electric
current (Khwaldia, 2010). Medical implants made of
polylactic acid (PLA), which dissolve in the body, can
save patients from undergoing a second operation.
Compostable mulch films produced from starch
polymers can be used inagriculture.
Organic Manure:
As countries develop and population increases, people
are also demanding more and better food. These
pressures are multiplied by shrinking farmland, rising
labour costs and shortage of farm workers.
Biotechnology offers an additional method to improve
the sustainability of existing system to produce more
and better quality agricultural products. The
processing of food and food ingredients using
biotechnology provides a wide variety of fermented
foods and food ingredients that are extensively used.
According to Noble and Ruaysoongnern (2010),
microbial biotechnology and its applications in
sustainable development of agriculture and
environmental health are getting better attention. Men
use naturally occurring organisms to develop
biofertilizers, oganinic manure and bio-pesticides to
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assist plant growth and control weeds, pests, and
diseases. Micro-organisms that live in the soil actually
help to achieve conversion of plants and animal remains
to micronutrients required for soil conditioning and
fertility, and consequently promote plant growth.
Compost manures are achieved through microbial
breakdown of plant and animal wastes using solid state
fermentation technique.
Antibiotics:
Microbes are used to produce antibiotics. These are
low molecular weight secondary metabolites that are
active against certain bacteria at relatively low
concentration. The culture conditions affect the type of
antibiotic produced (Yang, and Ling,1989; and Yang,
1996). Antibiotics such as tetracycline, oxytetracycline,
streptomycin, cephalosporin, neomycin and a few other
antibacterial compounds are produced through
microbial processes. Microorganisms like members of
the genera Streptomyces, Aeromonium, and
Penicillium are used in SSF for the production of the
above state antibiotics (Yang, 1996). Adinarayana et al
(2003) tested several substrates to produce
cephalosporin. These include wheat bran, barley bran,
rice bran and wheat rawa). Substrates such as rice husk,
rice straw, corn flower, sugar cane bagasse, corn cob,
corn pomace, cassava peels and peanut shell (Asagbra,
2005). These substrates have been used at different
times to produce different types of antibiotics.
Enzymes:
Enzymes such ᾳ-amylase, chitinase, tannase, protease,
xylanase, luccase and cellulose (Uyar, and Baysal,
2004) are common enzymes produced from microbial
hydrolysis of organic material including organic
wastes. Natural occurring raw materials such as cereals,
fruits and vegetables are the commonest substrates due
the presence in them of a variety of complex
ingredients such as starch, xylans, cellulosics, proteins
and fats. Substrates for enzyme production depend on
need, availability and cost. These include agricultural
raw materials and waste products, industrial wastes
and synthetic materials (Bhat, 2000). Microorganisms
used are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) and
include generaBacillus, Lactobacillus, Streptomyces,
Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, Mucor, Rhizopus, e.t.c. At
commercial level, genetically modified
microorganisms are used to give very high yield.
Flavors:
Natural flavours with aroma properties are produced
from feedstock of plant and animal origin by means of
physical, enzymatic or microbiological processes
(Feron, et al., 1996). The microbial processes are
usually carried out at industrial level by solid state
fermentation. In bio-flavour production, the solid- state
fermentation of residual is a fairly new technology of
waste utilization, based on very old preservation
IJMSCRR: Vol 01, Issue 01 2018
method which bio-converts secondary raw materials to
natural flavor. The commonly produced bio-flavours
are vanillin, acetone-butanol- isopropanol (ABI) and
benzaldehyde with vanillin being produced in larger
quantity. Vegetable residues coffee pulp and coffee
husk has been used in flavor production (Soares, et al.,
2000) using mould, Ceratocystis fimbriata.
Organic Acids:
Organic acids such as citric acid and lactic acid have
been produced from organic wastes. Citric acd is
widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries as an
acidifying and flavor enhancing agents. It can be
produced by submerged fermentation of sucrose or
molasses based media (Kubicek, and Rhor, 1986).
Aspergillus niger has been used on sugarcane bagasse,
coffee husk and cassava bagasse to produce citric acid
(Vanderberghe, et al., 2000). Also, apple pomace,
pineapple, mixed fruit and wheat bran have been used
as substrates (Shojaosadati, and Babaripour, 2002; and
Kumar, Kumar, et al., 2003). Lactic acid is used in food
and nonfood processing industries. It is used as
acidulant and for preservative purposes. Lactobacillus
amylophilus and Lactobacillus brueckii ferments
cassava bagasse, wheat bran and sugarcane bagasse to
produce L (+) lactic acid (John, et al 2006 and
Naveena, et al., 2005).Factors Influencing Microbial
Activity:
 Nutrients: Biomethanation requires lower
nutrients compared to aerobic bacteria. The C:
N range is 700:5 for methanogenesis. Nitrogen
is used in synthesis of Enzymes, RNA and
DNA. The Concentration of various nutrients
is in the proportion of N: 50 mg/l P: 10 mg/l S:
5 mg/l (Speece, 1983)
 pH: Most important process control parameter
is pH. The optimum pH between 6.7 and 7.4
range is for methanogenic bacteria (Zehnder, et
al., 1982). Excess alkalinity or ability to control
pH must be present to guard against the
accumulation of excess volatile acids. The
three major sources of the alkalinity required
are lime, Sodium bicarbonate and sodium
hydroxide.
 Temperature: Constant and uniform
temperature maintenance is required
(Adinarayana, et al., 2003). The rate of
methane production doubles for each 100C
temperature change in the mesophilic range.
Loading rates must decrease as temperature
decreases tohighly sensitive to toxicants due to
slow growth rate.
Benefits of Proper Waste Management:
The importance of agricultural, domestic and industrial
waste management can be reaped in the following
ways: -
1. It facilitates industrialization and generates
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 income through sales of valued products
generated
2. it helps improve the quality of life by
providing a wide variety of nutrients
3. Reduces land requirements for dumping of
wastes in landfills.
4. It helps to address the problem of
environmental pollution and global warming
through less greenhouse gas emission.
5. It increases energy generation through biogas
production that helps improve transport
systems.
6. Proper separation of waste prior to processing
will result in easy recycling & efficient
resourcemanagement.
7. maintain the same extent of treatment.
vii. It generates employment
opportunities for the However, operations in
the thermophilic range local population are
not practical because of the high
heatingviii. PLA plastics are widely
used in the medical, energy requirement
(Alvarez, and Liden 2007). The values for
volumetric biogas production rate and methane
yield increased at higher temperatures.
 Proper Mixing of Substrates: Mixing creates
a homogeneous substrate preventing
stratification and formation of a surface crust,
and ensures that the solids remain in
suspension. Mixing enables heat transfer and
particle size reduction as digestion progresses.
It can be performed in two different ways
(Kaparaju, 2007) in continuous mixing – SRT
is equal to HRT, while in non- continuous
mixing – SRT is more than HRT. The effect of
continuous, minimal (mixing for 10 min prior to
extraction / feeding) and intermittent mixing
(withholding mixing for 2hr prior to
extraction/feeding) on methane production was
investigated in lab-scale CSTR (Couto, 2008).
On comparison to continuous mixing,
intermittent and minimal mixing strategies
improved methane productions by 1.3% and
12.5%, respectively.
 Toxicity of Substrates: Toxicity depends
upon the nature of the substance, concentration
and acclimatization. Ammonium nitrogen
concentration of 1500-3000 mg/L at 200C and
pH 7.4 and above is considered stimulatory
(Karim, et al., 2005). Anaerobic process is
polymer and pharmaceutical industries
 Organic acids, flavours and enzymes are
widely used in food and pharmaceutical
industries to improve products‟ quality
 Residual products of biomethanation and
organicmanure from composting, helps the
farmers to improve soil fertility and enhances
soilconditioning.
IJMSCRR: Vol 01, Issue 01 2018
 Antibiotics, biocides and pesticides can be
produced as intermediate metabolites from
wastebioconversion and used to improve the
health offarm animals and crops.
CONCLUSION:
Microbes are widely applied in biotechnology as seen
above. It utilizes biological sources such as enzymes,
plant products and some microbes in the production of
bioplastics, organic manures, biofertilizers,
biopesticides, bioherbicides, probiotics and biofuels or
bioenergetics. Also, organic acids, and enzymes have
been produced from wastes by microbial fermentation.
These products have beem used to improve food
quality and are known to be more ecologically friendly
than the synthetic counterpart. These products of
microbial biotechnology have helped in Agriculture
and in various industries; and have contributed
immensely to the economic growth and improvement
of the quality of life in most
industrialized and developing nations.
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