Sustainable Bioproduct Production via Anaerobic Bioconversion by Landfill Soil Inoculum in Various Carbohydrate Wastes

Abstract This study evaluates anaerobic bioconversion using landfill-derived microbes to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as bioproducts. The research was conducted using different substrates, including elephant grass, starch waste, and fruit waste. Landfill-derived microbes collected from the landfill site were used as inoculum. The results show that the carbohydrate composition in the substrate affects VFA production. Simpler substrates, such as starch waste and fruit waste, produced more VFAs (approximately 50 mmol · L–1) than that of more complex substrate of grass (approximately 25 mmol · L–1). The results showed that using simpler substrates (i.e. starch and fruit waste) produce VFAs two times higher than that of the complex substrate or lignocellulosic biomass-based feedstock (i.e. grass). These findings provide valuable insights into the potential use of landfill-derived microbes in the anaerobic bioconversion process to produce VFAs. By understanding the influence of carbohydrate composition, we can enhance the efficiency of VFA production from organic waste, which can be used in various industrial applications. This is a crucial step towards more sustainable waste management and more efficient resource utilisation.