Porous filter balls alternating internal structure of aerobic composting to drive rapid stabilization and efficient metabolic collaboration

Co-composting of food waste and agricultural residues offers a promising biotechnological solution for organic solid waste management, where oxygen availability critically governs efficiency. This study evaluated the impact of polypropylene-based porous filter balls (PFB) on composting performance. The results demonstrated that PFB addition elevated peak temperature by 10.1 % and reduced oxygen content by 11.2–55.3 % compared to the control (CK), indicating enhanced oxygen utilization through construction of transport channels. Meanwhile, PFB treatment accelerated organic matter and crude fiber degradation, shortening maturation time by 14 days while improving end-product quality. Three-dimensional excitation emission matrix analysis confirmed enhanced humification, and physical characterization revealed a more porous structure with greater soil amendment potential. Microbial analysis showed that PFB addition enriched organic-degrading taxa (e.g., Aeribacillus) and strengthened metabolic cooperation. Metagenomic analysis further revealed upregulation of key pathways including dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle and aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, collectively improving nitrogen retention, degradation efficiency and humification. This study establishes PFB treatment as an effective oxygen-management strategy for enhancing composting efficiency and product quality.