Enhancement of methane production from cassava residues by biological pretreatment using a constructed microbial consortium

► We construct a microbial consortium with high cellulose degradation ability. ► We identify the main microbes of this microbial consortium. ► We use this consortium as a pretreatment strategy in cassava-residues pretreatment. ► 12 h of pretreatment is optimal for the increase of methane yield. ► The maximum methane yield after pretreatment is 96.63 % higher than the control.