Enhancing Lignocellulose Degradation and Mycotoxin Reduction in Co-Composting with Bacterial Inoculation

The burgeoning global silage industry has precipitated challenges related to the sustainable utilization of mycotoxin-contaminated silage. To understand the effect of bio-enhancement on lignocellulose degradation and mycotoxin reduction, mycotoxin-contaminated silage and rape straw were co-composted without (CK) or with different bacterial agents and their combinations. Compared to CK, the inoculation of <i>Weissella paramesenteroides</i> and <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> could increase the degradation rate of cellulose by 39.24% and lignin by 22.31% after composting. Inoculation of <i>W. paramesenteroides</i> and <i>Paenibacillus</i> sp. significantly enhanced cellulose and lignin degradation rates by 26.75% and 15.48%, respectively. Furthermore, this treatment significantly reduced mycotoxin levels (<i>p</i> < 0.05), including Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, 64.48% reduction), T-2 toxin (65.02%), Ochratoxin A (OTA, 61.30%), Zearalenone (ZEN, 67.67%), and Vomitoxin (DON, 48.33%). Inoculation with <i>Paenibacillus</i> sp. and other bacteria increased total nitrogen by 48.34-65.52% through enhancing microbiological activity. Therefore, <i>Paenibacillus</i> sp. in combination with other bacteria could increase compost efficiency and reduce mycotoxin presence for better and safer utilization of agricultural waste by-products, enabling faster conversion of contaminated silage into safe soil amendments, which could reduce agricultural waste management costs.