The microbial changes during thermophilic composting of food waste wer
e investigated at 50 degrees C using a laboratory-scale composter. The
results showed that an early increase in the growth of yeast was foll
owed by the growth of thermophilic bacteria, and that subsequently, th
e yeast declined rapidly. The growth interactions of selected strains
of yeast and bacteria were studied in culture media containing organic
acids. The results demonstrated that the acidity of the media was red
uced during the growth of the yeast. Therefore, it is concluded that i
n the early stages of composting, the growth of thermophilic bacteria
is inhibited by organic acids, and that the growth of yeast enables su
bsequent bacterial growth by removing organic acids from food waste.