The bioconversion of lignocellulosic wastes by thermophilic microorganisms from compost.

Composting, often described as nature's way of recycling, is a self-heating, aerobic, solid-phase process, during which organic waste materials are biologically degraded into an extremely useful humus-like substance by means of various microorganisms. The main protagonists of this process are thermophilic microorganisms and their enzymes. From the composting sites of "Experimental Center of Composting" (SA), different strains were isolated that fall within the radiation of the genera Aeribacillus and Geobacillus. The strains isolated showed thermophilic cellulase, xylanase, ?-xylosidase and arabinofuranosidase activities. Their optimal temperature ranged between 60 and 70°C. These enzymes were preliminary used in the bioconversion reactions in order to degrade lignocellulosic biomass obtaining fermentable monosaccharides and oligosaccharides, that could be employed in different biotechnological fields.