Discussion of 'Effect of inoculation in composting processes: Modifications in lignocellulosic fraction' Waste Management 27 (2007) 1099-1107

摘要

As stated 'the use of inoculants to improve the composting process has been a controversial subject.' From a fundamental point of view, microbial ecologists can argue that bacterial diversity can be regarded as deterministic. Baas-Becking's 1934 formula, that 'everything is everywhere and it is the environment that selects,' has remained virtually unchallenged. Tantalisingly, the opportunities provided by the genomic era suggest that this is not strictly true (e.g., Whitaker et al., 2003). However, these studies are regarded as exceptional as opposed to the norm. Therefore, the suggestion that 'the composting process can therefore be improved by means of inoculation if the microorganisms used for this purpose are appropriate for the characteristics of the raw material,' raises interesting theoretical as well as applied aspects of environmental microbiology.