ADVANCES IN SOLID-STATE ANAEROBIC-DIGESTION OF ORGANIC WASTES

Energy crisis has affected the economic productivity of almost all dev eloping countries of the world. This can be overcome with proper plann ing for energy conservation and using an optimal mix of technologies p referably utilising available non conventional energy sources. Human a nd animal wastes, terrestrial and aquatic biomass and municipal solid wastes could form an important resource, provided technologies are ide ntified and implemented to convert wastes into wealth. The paper deals in detail about the complex biochemical process of anaerobic digestio n, microbial group involved in various metabolic steps of anaerobic di gestion, conditions affecting digestion and various pretreatments and suggests measures to increase the production of manures and biogas yie ld.