Effect of solid-state fermentation by a novel soft-rot fungus Cheatomium globosum IMA1 on the anaerobic co-digestion performances of waste activated sludge and municipal solid waste

Abstract

Biological pre-treatment effect by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using a novel fungal strain Chaetomium globosum IMA1 followed by anaerobic co-digestion (ACoD) of urban (US) and industrial (IS) sludge with the municipal solid waste (MSW), was evaluated. Best results were achieved with ACoD of IS and pre-treated MSW. Lignin Peroxidase (LiP), Manganese Peroxidase (MnP) and Proteases activities monitoring revealed maximum production of 1014.8 IU/L, 137.5 IU/L, and 384 IU/L, respectively. These results, combined with FTIR spectroscopy and solubilization percentage (55.45%), confirm the degradation of the ligninocellulosic complex. Biogas production was 0.62 L/gVSRemoved with 71% of methane (CH4). Volatile solids (VS) removal was 78%. The microbial community analysis by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) shows the domination of Methanogenic Archaea with 80%. Process stabilization was achieved after 15 days with an energy recovery of approximately 19.6 kJ/gTS.