Inoculum source for anaerobic fermentation of coffee pulp

Summary An experiment was conducted to find out the correct seeding (inoculum) material for the start up of anaerobic digestion using coffee pulp as substrate. Three different inocula viz., slurry from cowdung biogas plant, sewage sludge and rumen fluid were tried for their efficiency in producing maximum methanogenic activities. The result revealed that the sludge from a biogas plant is the best source of inoculum, which enhanced microbial activities, substrate utilization and gas yield. The various physico-chemical changes that occurred during fermentation were also discussed in detail.