Asian Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

The accumulation of lignocellulosic waste, particularly from agro-industrial sources such as coconut coir fibre, poses a significant environmental challenge due to its recalcitrant nature and resistance to natural decomposition. This study explores the potential of bacterial isolates from damp yard leachate for the biodegradation of lignocellulose in coconut coir fibre.  Twenty-four bacterial strains were isolated from Perungudi municipal damp yard and screened for lignolytic and cellulolytic activities using alkaline lignin and carboxymethyl cellulose substrates. Among these, members of the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Aneurinibacillus were predominant, with eight isolates demonstrating substantial enzymatic activity. These efficient strains were combined to form a microbial consortium for solid-state fermentation of coir fibre over 30 days. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed significant structural changes in functional groups associated with lignin and cellulose corresponding to approximately 35% lignin degradation and 45% cellulose degradation, confirming effective biodegradation. A pot study using the degraded substrate, with and without microbial inoculation and vermicompost, evaluated its effect on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) growth. Results indicated that plant growth was enhanced when the degraded substrate was combined with vermicompost, suggesting that nutrient supplementation is essential for agricultural applications. Overall, the study highlights the biodegradation potential of damp yard-adapted microbes and supports their application in sustainable waste management strategies. These findings offer a promising biological alternative to conventional lignocellulose treatment methods and demonstrate potential in producing value-added biofertilizer from agro-waste.