Pre-treatment and inoculum affect the microbial community structure and enhance the biogas reactor performance in a pilot-scale biodigestion of municipal solid waste

Moreover, the mechanical pretreatment effects, as well as the effect of pelleted manure as inoculum, were considered. The highest methane production was detected in the biodigesters with minced organic waste, thus indicating that pre-treatment of a heterogeneous starting matrix was essential for improving biogas production and stabilizing the process.