Isolation and Identification of Mold in Banana Bunches and Their Potential as Bioinoculants to Accelerate Decomposition of Household Organic Waste

Large populations and final storage areas cause an increase in organic waste. Efforts are needed to improve waste decomposition. Mold is one of the microorganisms that can break down organic waste. This study aims to 1) isolate and identify molds from 8 banana bunches, 2) calculate mold populations. Banana bunches were taken from Madiun Regency. Isolation and mold conversion were carried out at the Biology Laboratory of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Airlangga University, Surabaya. Isolation was carried out by making suspension of 8 banana bunches in which each suspension was inoculated on a petri dish with medium Potato Extract Agar. Subsequently it was incubated at 30°C for 3-7 days. After that the mold colonies were observed macroscopically and microcosically. After observing the mold colonies, identification and calculation of the population of each species were carried out using the Total Plate Count (TPC). From the results of the study, it was found 10 species of fungal, Aspergillus niger,Aspergillus penicilloides, Aspergillus oryzae, Rhizopus nigricans, Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor piriformis, Fucarium chlamydosporium, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium expantium. The TPC of each species were 6.2 x 10 7 CFU/ml, 5.4 x 10 7 CFU/ml, 4.9 x 10 7 CFU/ml, 4.2 x 10 7 CFU/ml, 3.6 x 10 7 CFU/ml, 4.1x 10 7 CFU/ml, 4.1 x 10 7 CFU/ml, 3.3 x 10 7 CFU/ml, 3.8 x 10 7 CFU/ml, 4.1 x 10 7 CFU/ml. Insulated molds have the potential as bioinoculant acceleration of decomposition organic waste due to rapid growth.