Isolation and characterization of thermophilic fungi from deep layers of compost during the pre-decomposition phase

Compost is a product of the fermentation of organic materials derived from plant leaves, vegetables, fruits, organic waste, and animal and livestock manure. Composting is a decomposition process carried out by decomposer microorganisms. Thermophilic fungi play a crucial role in the decomposition of organic materials at high temperatures, making it essential to study their diversity and characteristics in organic waste management. This study aims to isolate and characterize thermophilic fungi present in the pre-decomposition phase at the Compost Plant of PT. Great Giant Pineapple. The study employs an exploratory descriptive method, including sample collection, homogenization, serial dilution, isolation, purification, macroscopic, microscopic, and physiological characterization, as well as enzymatic index determination. The results of this study yielded six thermophilic fungi isolates capable of producing cellulase enzymes in isolates BIO-PK 1, BIO-PK 2, and BIO-PK 5; protease enzymes in BIO-PK 1 and BIO-PK 2; and ligninase enzymes in BIO-PK 4. Enzyme testing results showed 3 fungi positive for cellulase, 2 fungi positive for protease, and 1 fungus positive for ligninase. The highest enzymatic index for each enzyme was: cellulase 3.73 (BIO-PK 2), protease 0.77 (BIO-PK 5), and ligninase scoring 1 (BIO-PK 4). The isolation and characterization results obtained will then be analyzed and described descriptively, quantitatively, and qualitatively.