Comparison of microbially enhanced compost extracts produced from composted cattle rumen content material and from commercially available inocula

► Biolog and DGGE tools were useful in microbial characterization of liquid cultures. ► Commercial products were comparable to extracts based on fresh rumen compost. ► Young aged compost extract was functionally more active than old aged extract. ► Addition of microbial inoculum to an extract did not alter its microbial activity. ► Bacterial diversity was higher in compost extracts compared to a commercial culture.