Fish waste has traditionally been used as a fertilizer in coastal areas as it is rich in nutrients particularly nitrogen and phosphorous. Composting is a natural aerobic biochemical process in which thermophilic microorganisms transform organic materials into a stable, soil-like product. In the present study, efficiency of 2 microbial strains isolated from a composting pile, in enchancing the composting process was studied. Two sets of fish waste composting trails were conducted using sawdust (C1) and sugarcane bagasse (C2) as bulking material along with a microbial consortium of 50% B. cereus, and 50% Pseudomonas sp. The C1 of fish waste sawdust composting was completed on 40th day and C2 fish waste sugarcane bagasse composting was completed on 50th day. The completion of composting process was studied by analysis the C:N ratio, which should range between 16:1 to 18:1. This study clearly suggests that the duration of fish composting in both composting process utilizing a microbial consortia of B cereus and Pseudomonas can significantly from the normal 60 days to 40 - 50 days. The study confirms the need for developing microbial consortia based on the bulking material for further enhancing the composting process.
Key words: Composting, Thermophilic Microorganism, Sawdust, Sugarcane Bagasse, C/N ratio