Temperature-Driven Responses and Contributions of Hyperthermophiles: Linking Storage and Inoculation Strategies in Municipal Sludge Composting

Description

Zixi Ming, Shihong Chen, Jun Gu, and Ran Yu published this study in 2026. It fine-tunes the use of heat-loving microbes in composting city sludge. These hyperthermophiles can speed the breakdown of organic matter, but nobody had studied how to store them or when to add them.

Their microbe mix kept its regrowth strength best after six months at room temperature or in a fridge; deep freezing hurt it most. Timing mattered even more: adding the mix at the warm-up stage, before peak heat, halved composting time compared with adding it at peak heat. Against a commercial starter, the mix cut composting time by two-thirds and raised seed germination scores and nitrogen content, signs of a better finished product. The authors say early addition lets the microbes claim their niche before rivals do. Stored cool and added early, the consortium promises faster, richer sludge compost.

Catalog record

Source: https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13209927