Indigenous lignocellulose-degrading consortium efficiently degrade Traditional Chinese medicine residues

Recycling Traditional Chinese medicine residues through biodegradation is a sustainable approach, however, it is challenging due to the complex lignocellulosic structures and the presence of antibacterial compounds. It is crucial to obtain cellulose-degrading bacteria that can thrive under the unique conditions of Traditional Chinese medicine residue. In this study, a unique microbial consortium (referred to HQW) was isolated from naturally fermented Traditional Chinese medicine residues. The consortium was primarily composed of lignocellulose-degrading bacteria, such as Paraclostridium , Clostridium , and Lysinibacillus . The optimal degradation of Salvia miltiorrhiza residues without sterilization pretreatment was observed with HQW treatment at 43 °C and an initial pH of 9. The composition of cellulolytic bacteria varied at different degradation phases. Paraclostridium sp. was predominant at 0 d and potentially initiated the degradation of Salvia miltiorrhiza residues. Clostridium, Dysgonomonas , Enterococcus , Herbinix , and Terrisporobacte grew rapidly on day 1. Lysinibacillus , Sedimentibacter and Lachnoclostridium increased in abundance on day 3. Clostridium decreased rapidly on the 6th day. HQW could effectively degraded various Traditional Chinese medicine residues. The highest decomposition yield was observed for the Astragalus membranaceus residue (60.21 %), followed by the Dendrobii caulis residue (41.31 %), while Sophora flavescens residue was scarcely degraded at 14 d. These results indicate that HQW is promising for the biodegradation of certain Traditional Chinese medicine residues and can be further developed for broader applications in waste management. • The consortium HQW was isolated from naturally fermented CMHRs. • Different bacteria of HQW played the prominent role at different stages. • HQW efficiently decomposed CMHRs and Rice straw • Different degradation abilities of HQW to different CMHRs