OPTIMIZATION OF COMPOSTING SYSTEMS USING FOOD WASTE-DERIVED MICROBIAL CONSORTIA FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Global food waste generation poses a significant environmental burden through greenhouse gas emissions, resource loss, and ecosystem pollution, necessitating sustainable waste management solutions. This review focuses on microbial consortia-based compost optimization as an effective strategy for enhancing food waste valorization and environmental sustainability. Key themes include food waste microbiology, microbial community structure and succession, optimization strategies such as pH, temperature, moisture, aeration, and C/N ratio control, engineered and natural microbial consortia, and their roles in accelerating composting efficiency. The review also highlights advances in omics-based technologies and synthetic microbial design for improving compost stability and functionality, alongside environmental applications in soil fertility enhancement, bioremediation, and circular bioeconomy systems. Major insights indicate that optimized microbial interactions significantly improve degradation rates and compost quality. Future directions emphasize smart composting systems and AI - driven microb Ial management. Overall, microbial consortia- based composting presents a sustainable pathway for integrated food waste and environmental management.