Comparative Assessment of Microbial Community in Compost Samples

Soil, composed of inorganic and organic materials, supports diverse microbial communities, including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, which play essential roles in compost formation. Composting is a controlled biodegradation process that converts organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. This study aimed to compare the microbial diversity and density in two compost samples (S1 and S2) prepared on campus. Sample S1 consisted of poultry waste, vegetable waste, and fruit waste, whereas Sample S2 was composed of vegetable waste and cow dung. Microbial isolation was performed using serial dilution, spread plate, and streak plate techniques. A total of 23 microbial isolates were obtained, including 12 bacterial, 6 fungal, and 5 yeast isolates. Bacterial density was significantly higher in S1 compared to S2, suggesting a potential influence of compost composition on microbial proliferation. Identified bacterial genera included Aeromonas, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Edwardsiella, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Shigella, and Streptococcus sp. Fungal isolates comprised Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and Helminthosporium sp., while yeast genera included Saccharomyces, Candida, and Cryptococcus. The comparative analysis highlights the impact of compost composition on microbial diversity and suggests that poultry and fruit waste may enhance bacterial density more than cow dung-based compost. These findings provide insights into microbial contributions to compost stability and potential applications in soil conditioning and nutrient solubilization.