AU674682B2

AU674682B2 - Microbiological method for disposing of organic waste materials

Info

Publication number: AU674682B2
Application number: AU41436/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Teruo Higa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-24
Filing date: 1993-06-23
Publication date: 1997-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-23
Also published as: AU4143693A

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Teruo HIGA 000*o

S

00 ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: Microbiological method for disposing of organic waste materials The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- S046982 0 1 0793 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for disposing of organic waste materials using microorganisms, and a use of the waste materials processed by this disposal method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for disposing of organic waste materials; methods for accelerating the growth of plants, for destroying or repelling insect pests, for improving the soil, for deodorizing unpleasant odors and for improving water, using the waste materials 15 processed by the disposal method; and compositions for use in these methods.

Related Art One of the major problems of society is to efficiently dispose of organic wastes and sometimes to S. 20 effectively utilize them.

For instance, liquid waste discharged in a process of alcohol production has been utilized as livestock feed or an organic fertilizer put on fields. However, this liquid waste deteriorates quickly, so that its utilization is limited. In addition, when this liquid waste flows into rivers, the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) increases drastically, threatening the ecosystem of the rivers with destruction. Furthermore, since the liquid waste has potent reducing power, there is a possibility that soil and underground water are polluted when the liquid waste permeates the soil. For these reasons, it is the present situation that the liquid waste is, in most cases, handled and disposed as industrial waste, not used efficiently.

An effective method for disposing of the above liquid waste has not been found so far. Because the liquid waste discharged in the process of alcohol production contains organic acids, it exhibits high acidity at the outset of discharge. The liquid waste is however alkalized swiftly as the oxidization thereof proceeds. This alkalization brings about a rapid increase of anaerobic putrefying bacteria such as butyric acid bacteria. As a result, the liquid waste produces extremely strong unpleasant odors. Furthermore, since the protein and the amino acid contents of this liquid waste, are extremely high, large quantities of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercaptan and the like are produced in the degenerating process of the liquid waste. It has been said that an unpleasant odor released from a mixture of the above compounds produced and acetic acid has a nature of the worst kind.

In general, the liquid waste discharged in the process of alcohol production is alkalized, specifically to a pH of 8 or more. Under such conditions, ordinary microorganisms cannot be active. For this reason, it cannot be expected that the liquid waste is degraded by 20 spontaneous microorganisms. The liquid waste thus produces unpleasant odors over a long period of time.

In addition to a method for disposing of the liquid waste discharged in the process of alcohol production, it is also desired to devise a method for disposing of 25 organic waste materials such as raw garbage produced by households or eating establishments, wastes produced in the processing of agricultural or marine products, excrements of domestic animals and sewage.

Since the above organic waste materials contain a large amount of water, it is necessary to feed a large quantity of air into them or to agitate them frequently in order to decompose them aerobically. When the wastes are not decomposed aerobically, harmful fermentation proceeds and produces unpleasant odors. However, the above operation for causing the aerobic decomposition requires an installation for the treatment and also increases the running cost.

'Davied Collison) Cave 13-1-8 128 1343 1:t53 MOPEAUM"1443643,CLM- AI'IlMA -3- SUMMAREY OF THE INVZENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for disposing of organic waste materials.

AnoLher object of the present invention is to provide a method for disposing of organic waste materials, the waste materials processed by the disposal method being effectively reusable.

According to the presenL invention, there is provided a method for microbiologicafly degrading an organic waste material comprising incubating the organic waste material with at least one member c'f actinomycetes, one member of phototrophic bacteria, one member of lactic acid bacteria, one member of mold fungi arnd one member of yeasts, said incubation being conducted 1under airtight conditions at a pH of 3. 0 to 5. 0, and under conditions sufficient to degrade the organic waste material, We have also unexpectedly found that the waste materials processed by the above disposal method can be utilized for improving the soil, destroying or repelling insect pests, deodorizing an unpleasant odor and improving water quality, Therefore, a further object of the present invention is to provide methods for accelerating the growth of plants, for improving the soil, for destroying or repelling insect pests, of deodorizing an unpleasant odor and for improving water, and compositions for use in these methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIQN Of TH In-VRNTION Organic Waste Materia

V,

There is no limitation on organic waste materials to which the disposal method of the present invention can be applied. The disposal method of the present invention can be applied to, for example, liquid waste discharged in the process of alcohol production (for instance, liquid waste discharged in the manufacturing process of distilled liquor, beer, Japanese sake or the like), raw garbage produced by households or eating establishments, wastes produced in the processing of agricultural or marine products (for instance, fish bones and fish bodies discarded by fish processing factories), excrements of domestic animals and city sewage.

In particular, processed waste obtained by applying the method of the present invention to liquid waste discharged in the process of alcohol production can be favorably utilized for improving the soil, for accelerating the growth of plants, for destroying or repelling insect pests (specifically, protection of plants or animals by destroying or repelling insect 20 pests, and control of ants such as leaf-cutting ants and 0 termites), for deodorizing unpleasant odors and for improving water quality.

S"Processed waste obtained by applying the method of the present invention to garbage, wastes produced in the *eooe processing of agricultural or marine products, or excrements of domestic animals can be favorably used for accelerating the growth of plants, as fertilizer.

The method according to the present invention can be applied to the above-mentioned organic waste materials without treating them in advance. However, when the organic waste materials are garbage, wastes produced in the processing of agricultural or marine products, or excrements of domestic animals, it is preferable to apply the method of the present invention after adjusting the pH of the waste materials to 3.0 to 5.0, more preferably to 4.5 with an organic acid. An example of a suitable organic acid is a straight or branched chain, 0 0 0 o oe o 0e 0 0 o oeo saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acid having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Specific examples of such an acid include acetic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid and gluconic acid. Lactic acid is most preferred from the viewpoints of its ability to prevent the activity of putrefying bacteria, and its ability to prevent sudden changes in pH level as compared to other organic acid.

Microorganisms In the method of the present invention, at least species of microorganisms, each being selected from each of 5 groups consisting of actinomycetes, phototrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, mold fungi and yeast, are employed. -t i. nceczary that all of the microorganisms 15 belonging to each group have the properties of being acid-fast, producing lactic acid, producing no butyric acid, being non-pathogenic and having an antagonistic value of 50 or more. To have an antagonistic value of 50 or more is herein intended to 20 mean that microorganisms have antibacterial power of suppressing the growth of 50% or more hyphae of Fusarium cultured in agar media under the conditions of 24 hours of cultivation.

In the method according to the present invention, microorganisms, at least one species of microorganism are selected from each of the above five groups. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the microorganisms having the above-mentioned properties, at least one species of microorganism being selected from each of the above five groups, optionally together with those microorganisms contained in an organic waste material, cause continuous and efficient degradation of the organic waste. For instance, phototrophic bacteria digest various hydrocarbons such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan, and decompose the sources of S unpleasant odors and, at the same time, promote the 2 formation of a variety of useful amino acids such as proline and methionine. Lactic acid bacteria prevent an unfavorable decomposing process. Furthermore, it is considered that actinomycetes and yeast suppress the activity of harmful microorganisms unfavorably existing in the processed wastes, thereby contributing to the formation of a colony of Gram-positive bacteria.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to employ microorganisms, two or more species of microorganisms selected from each of the above five groups. It can be expected that organic wastes are degraded more efficiently by various enzymes derived from these microorganisms.

Any microorganism can be used as long as it has the above-mentioned mycological properties. Preferable 15 specific examples of such microorganisms are as follows: Actinomycetes include for example microorganisms belonging to Streptomyces, Streptoverticillium, Nocardia, Micromonospora and Rhodococcus. Specific examples of actinomycetes include Streptomyces albus ATCC 20 3004), Streptoverticillium baldaccii ATCC 23654), Nocardia asteroides ATCC 19247), Micromonospora chalcea ATCC 12452) and Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC 13803).

Phototrophic bacteria include for example microorganisms belonging to Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodospirillum, Chromatium, and Chlorobium. Specific examples of phototrophic bacteria include Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides IFO 12203), Rhodospirillum rubrum IFO 3986), Chromatium okenii and Chlorobium limicola.

Lactic acid bacteria include for example microorganisms belonging to Lactobacillus, Propionibacterium, Pediococcus and Streptococcus.

Specific examples of lactic acid bacteria include Lactobacillus bulqaricus ATCC 11842), Propionibacterium freudenreichii IFO 12391), Pediocoocus halophilus IFO 12172), Streptococcus 0 *0*S 0 S 0* S S

S.

.e S.

lactis IFO 12007) and Streptococcus faecalis (e.g.

IFO 3971).

Mold fungi include for example microorganisms belonging to Aspergillus and Mucor. Specific examples of these mold fungi include Aspergillus japonicus IFO 4060), Aspergillus oryzae IFO 4075) and Mucor hiemalis IFO 5303).

Yeast include for example microorganisms belonging to Saccharomyces and Candida. Specific examples of these yeast include Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFO 0304), Saccharomyces lactis IFO 0433) and Candida utilis IFO 0396).

While these microorganisms can be used as they are, it is preferable to use those microorganisms which are 15 pre-cultured in a proper culture medium. The pre-culture is preferably conducted in a proper culture medium with a pH of 3.0 to 5.0 at a temperature in the range of approximately 25 to 45 0 C. No particular limitation is imposed on the culture medium which is used for this pre- 20 culture.

Degradation of Organic Waste Materials In the present invention, an organic waste material is microbiologically degraded when it is brought into contact with the above microorganisms under closed and airtight conditions,i..e-, anaerebic cenditi n, at a pH from 3.0 to There is no particular limitation on the manner how to bring the microorganisms into contact with the organic waste material. It is however general to add the microorganisms as they are or the above pre-culture solution to the organic waste material. It is also possible to place the microorganisms which are supported on a specific carrier in the organic waste material.

The treatment temperature is preferably in the range of approximately 25 to 45 0 C. In the case where the temperature is lower than 25 0 C, many hours are required i for the treatment. On the other hand, when the r

I'"

/i temperature is higher than 45 0 C, a side reaction tends to occur. In general, the treatment conducted under the above conditions is completed after about 72 to 96 hours.

Use of Processed Wastes The waste materials processed by the disposal method of the present invention never pollute the environment even when they are discharged into the environment as they are. It is therefore possible to discard the processed wastes in the natural environment as they are.

However, it is surprising that the waste materials processed by the disposal method of the present invention have various activities, so that they can be utilized effectively.

15: According to the preferred embodiment of the present 15 invention, the processed wastes can be used for the purposes of improving the soil, accelerating the growth of plants, destroying or repelling insect pests e (specifically, protection of plants or animals by destroying or repelling insect pests, and control of ants such as leaf-cutting ants and termites), deodorizing an unpleasant odor and improving water quality.

While the processed wastes per se aze used for the above uses, it is preferable to use the processed wastes by diluting them with a proper vehicle such as water.

25 How to use the processed waste and the amount thereof can be properly selected depending on the species of an organic waste material used, the concentration of the organic waste, and a use of the processed waste. For example, in order to use the processed waste as fertilizer a plant growth accelerating agent), about 500 to 5,000 g/m 2 preferably about 1,000 to 2,000 g/m 2 of the processed waste diluted preferably with water to approximately 1/100 to 1/200 is spread over the soil.

In order to improve the soil, about 3,000 to 10,000 g/m 2 preferably about 4,000 to 5,000 g/m 2 of the processed waste diluted preferably with water to approximately 1/1,000 to 1/10,000 is spread over the soil.

In order to destroy or repel insect pests, about to 500 g/m 2 preferably about 100 to 200 g/m 2 of the processed waste diluted preferably with water to approximately 1/50 to 1/500 is spread over the soil, or directly applied to plant or animal bodies. Moreover, the processed waste of the present invention can also be applied directly to insect pests to be destroyed or repelled, or to their nests.

For the purpose of deodorizing an unpleasant odor, about 300 to 1,000 g/m 2 preferably about 400 to 500 g/m 2 of the processed waste diluted preferably with water to approximately 1/200 to 1/300 is applied to the source of 15 the unpleasant odor.

In order to improve water quality, about 300 to 1,000 g/m 3 preferably about 400 to 500 g/m 3 of the S"processed waste diluted preferably with water to approximately 1/3 to 1/5 is put in sewage.

The present invention will now be explained more specifically by referring to the following examples, which should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Example 1 25 Disposal of liquid waste discharged in the process of alcohol production, using microorganisms The following microorganisms were employed: Streptomyces albus (ATCC 3004), Streptoverticillium baldaccii (ATCC 23654), Nocardia asteroides (ATCC 19247) and Micromonospora chalcea (ATCC 12452) as microorganisms belonging to actinomycetes; Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides (IFO 12203), Rhodospirillum rubrum (IFO 3986) and Chromatium okenii as microorganisms belonging to phototrophic bacteria; Lactobacillus bulgaricus ATCC 11842), Propionibacterium freudenreichii IFO 12391), Pediococcus halophilus IFO 12172), Streptococcus lactis IFO 12007) and Streptococcus faecalis (e.g.

IFO 3971) as microorganisms belonging to lactic acid bacteria; Asperqillus japonicus (IFO 4060), Aspergillus oryzae (IFO 4075) and Mucor hiemalis (IFO 0433) as microorganisms belonging to mold fungi; and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (IFO 0304), Saccharomyces lactis (IFO 0433) and Candida utilis (IFO 0396) as microorganisms belonging to yeast.

These microorganisms were added to 10 liters of liquid waste discharged in the process of alcohol production (liquid waste discharged in the manufacturing process of distilled spirits utilizing theriac) while the liquid waste had a pH of 3.0 to 5.0. Cultivation of the 15 microorganisms was conducted at a temperature of 25 to 0 C under the closed and airtight conditions, and carried on until the generation of gas was completed and the culture solution steadily showed a pH of 3.0 to The culture solution thus obtained was preserved in an airtight container.

Example 2 Soil improvement and plant-growth acceleration The culture solution obtained in Example 1 was diluted with water to 1/1000. The resulting solution was 25 spread over a field twice.

The soil was analyzed in terms of elements contained therein. Furthermore, peanut was planted in the field.

The yield of this was compared with nontreated field.

The results are as shown in Table 1.

e o o r so Table 1 Total Available K Ca Mg Nitrogen Phosphorous g (mg%) (ppm) Treated 145 21 10 504 23 Nontreated 128 9 10 417 19 Table 1 (cont'd) Total organic Y d Gas phase rate substance pH ie in the soil Kg/20m 2 at Treated 1.5 6.6 33.1 43 15 Untreated 0.7 6.2 20.6 Example 3 Control of disease and insect pests (Protection of plants) The culture solution obtained in Example 1 was diluted with water to 1/500. The resulting solution was sprayed three times upon the leaves of cabbages cultivated by a general manner.

The rate of incidence of disease and that of generation of insect pests in the cabbages were compared with those in untreated cabbages. The results are as shown in Table 2.

Table 2 Plutella Agrotis Mould Commercial- Aphids maculipennis fuscosa disease ized rate Treated 5 0 5 10 98 Nontreated 100 100 20 100

D

O

01 Example 4 Deodorization The culture solution obtained in Example 1 was diluted with water to 1/500. A pigsty was entirely sprinkled with the solution every 5 days, 3 times in total. An analysis was conducted in terms of the compounds which are the sources of unpleasant odors before and after the sprinkling. The results are as shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Compounds Before treatment After treatment Ammonia 3.3 ppm 0.06 ppm Hydrogen sulfide 0.139 ppm ND 15 Methyl mercaptan 0.036 ppm

ND

Methyl sulfide ND ND Trimethylamine 0.024 ppm ND ND: not detected Example 5 Water quality improvement The culture solution obtained in Example 1 was placed in a tank of a purifier capable of purifying sewage from 300 persons per day in average, in an amount of 1/1000 of the capacity of the tank. The water quality was examined and the amount of sludge accumulated was measured. The results are as shown in Table 4.

Table 4 After Treatment Before (days) Treatment 60 120 240 360 BOD (ppm) 290 30 20 15 5 3 SS (ppm) 500 50 30 20 3 2 Sludge in 2 tons 200kg 110kg 100kg 75kg a month E. coli 5 x 105 3x10 3 1x10 3 0 0 0

S

S.

13 Example 6 Control of insect pests (Protection of animals) The culture solution obtained in Example 1 was diluted with water to 1/100. The resulting solution was applied to the entire body of a pig. The numbers of ticks and botflies on the surface of the pig's body were respectively counted. The results are as shown in Table Table r c ro ro Treatment Times Untreatment 1 2 3 Tick (/30cm 2 62 2 0 0 Botfly (/30cm 2 40 6 2 0 Example 7 Control of leaf-cutting ants The culture solution obtained in Example 1 was diluted with water to 1/100. The resulting solution was injected into a nest of leaf-cutting ants. Change in the activity of the ants before and after the injection was observed. The results are as shown in Table 6.

Table 6 25 Number of Ant's activity after treatment Number of nest treated days 30 days 60 days Partly No activity No activity active Example 8 Control of termites The culture solution obtained in Example 1 was diluted with water to 1/500. The resulting solution was injected into a nest of termites to thoroughly infiltrate the entire nest with the solution. The surface of the nest became soft every time it rained. The nest was then finally decayed. The state of the decay was as shown in Table 7. As is clear from the table, the nest was completely decayed 120 days after the treatment.

Table 7 o r s Number of Stage of decay of nests after treatment N;umber of nest treated days 60 days 120 days 0% 20% 100% Example 9 Barnyard manure as fertilizer l0 10 After barnyard manure from a pigsty which had been treated in Example 4 was applied to a field, spinach was cultivated in the field. The spinach thus produced qas compared with spinach produced from untreated field. The results are as shown in Table 8.

15 Table 8 Treated plot Untreated plot Weight 335 145 (average of 10 plants) Maximum height (cm) 20.2 15.8 Number of leaves per plant 7.8 5.2 (5cm or more in size) Example 10 Control of nematodes The culture solution obtained in Example 1 was diluted with water to 1/1000. the resulting solution was spread over a field four times in total, one time one week before dissemination of carrot seeds, and three times every two weeks after germination thereof. The nematode-damaged rate in the carrots thus produced was compared with that in carrots produced from an untreated field. The results are as shown in Table 9.

Table 9 Untreated plot Treated plot Trial No.l 80% Trial No.2 87% 0% 0 *c S *000 0* *500 Example 11 Production of manure from garbage Microorganisms which were the same as those used in Example 1 were added to a mixture of 70 g of rice bran, g of oil cake and 10 g of fish waste. To this mixture, water was added so that the resulting mixture would contain 50% of water. Thereafter, the microorganisms were cultured at a temperature of 25 to 15 30 0 C for 4 days. The mixture thus obtained was mixed with kitchen garbage (pH 4.0) at the rate of 50 g per kg of the garbage. It is noted that the garbage had been moistened with a 0.2% aqueous solution of lactic acid in advance. The resulting mixture was placed in a plastic bag. The bag was sealed up, and stored at a temperature of 25 to 30 0 C for 14 days.

After the garbage thus processed was spread over a field at the rate of 2 liters per square meter, dentata was cultivated in this field. The dentata thus produced and dentata produced from the control plot were compared.

The results are as shown in Table In the control plot, 30 g of nitrogen, 30 g of phosphorus and 24 g of potassium were given per 1 m 2 Table Height(cm) Weight(g) Yield(Kg/1m 2 Treated plot 35 53 5.3 Control plot 30 40 4 Example 12 Disposition of fish waste and excrement of pig waste Microorganisms which were the same as those used in Example 1 were added to fish broth (pH and cultivated at a temperature of 34 to 36 0 C for 4 days.

100 ml of this culture solution was added to 80 liters of a mixture consisting of 50% by weight of fish waste and by weight of excrement of pig, whose pH had been adjusted to 3.5 by lactic acid in advance. The resulting mixture was placed in an airtight container, and the container was preserved at a temperature of 35 0 C. After 48 hours, the supernatant liquid of the mixture was removed, and the pH of the remaining mixture was adjusted to 3.5 by lactic acid. The container was further preserved at a temperature of 35 0 C for 48 hours. It was then sealed up, and allowed to stand at room temperature 15 until the generation of gas was completed.

Example 13 Fertilizer obtained from fish waste and 'excrement of pig The solution obtained in Example 12 was spread over a field at the rate of 2 liters per square meter. Tomato plants were planted in this field. The tomatoes thus produced and tomatoes produced from the control field were compared. The results are as shown in the following Table 11.

In the control field, 30 g of nitrogen, 30 g of phosphorus and 24 g of potassium were given per 1 m 2 Six tomato plants were planted in each plot.

Table 11 umber of Yield Average sugar tomatoes per (kg/plant) content plant Treated plot 9 9.2 Control plot 7 5.6 Example 14 Deodorizing effect of processed waste obtained from fish waste and excrement of pig The solution obtained in Example 12 was applied to the source of unpleasant odors. Change in the concentration of the compounds producing the unpleasant odor before and after the treatment was measured. The results are as shown in Table 12.

Table 12 Before treatment After treatment Compounds (ppm) (ppm) 0 Ammonia 19.2

ND

Hydrogen sulfide 0.58 ND Methyl mercaptan 0.16 ND Methyl sulfide 0.11 ND .5 Trimethylamine 0.14 ND ND: not detected S S

S

SS

Claims

1. A method for microbiolog .cally degrading an organic waste material comprising incubating the organic waste material with at least one member of actinomycetes, one member of phototrophic b.ateria, one member of lactic acid bacteria, one member of mold fungi ana one member of yeasts, said incuba~tioni being conducted under airtight conditions at a pH of 3.0 to 5.0, and under conditions sufficient to degrade the organic waste material,

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one member of actinomycetes is selected from Streptomyces, *Streptover.LcLI21um, Nucardia. Mlcromonaspora or *feeRZhadocaccus; the at least one member oiE phototrophic bacteria is selected front Rhoclopseudooflas, Rliodospiri12lu, Chromati=imr Chlorobluu; the at least one member of lactic acid bacteria is selected from Lactobactillus, Propilonlbacterium, Pedlococc us, or Streptococcus; the at least one member of mold fungi is selected from Aspergiluius 9 or Mucor; and the at least o~ne member of yeasts is selected froin Saccharomyces or Candida.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one member of actinomycetes is selected from the Streptomyces albus, Streptoverticilluu baldaccii, Nocardia asteroides, micromonospora chalcea or Rhcdococcus rhodochraus; the at least one member of phototrophic bacteria is selected from iaiodopseudomomnis sphaeroldes, Rhodos plz'±lum rubrum, DavieG Col I on Cave 13-11- 1 4129 C341 17 l'JPRULM14I436-,1 CLM IVIIW -19- Chlorobium okenli or Chlorobium limicola; the at least one member of lactic acid bacteria is selected from Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Proplonibacterlum freudenreichii, Pediococcus halophilus, Streptococcus lactis or Streptococcus faecalis; the at least one member of mold fungi is selected from Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus oryzae or Mucor hiemalis; and the at least one member of yeasts is selected from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces lactis or Candida utilis.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the step of adding an organic acid to the organic waste material before the waste material is brought into contact with the microorganisms. .o 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the organic waste material is selected from the group consisting of liquid wastes discharged in the process of alcohol production, garbage, wastes produced in the processing of agricultural or marine products, excrements S"of domestic animals, and sewage.

6. A liquid waste composition processed by the method according to any one of claims 1 to

7. A liquid waste composition according to claim 6, wherein the organic waste material is a liquid waste discharged in the process of alcohol production. S' A composition for accelerating the growth of plants, i WDv Ies' CoI I I ow Cavo 13-i 1-96 i14130 [33 Il e 20 comprising a liquid waste composition according to claim 6 or claim 7 as an active ingredient together with a carrier.

9. A composition for improving the soil, comprising a liquid waste composition according to claim 6 or claim 7 as an active ingredient together with a carrier. A composition for destroying or repelling insect pests, comprising a liquid waste composition according to claim 6 or claim 7 as an active ingredient together with a carrier.

11. A composition for deodorizing an unpleasant odor, comprising a liquid waste composition according to claim 6 or claim 7 as an active ingredienL tLogether with a carrier. :12. A composition for improving water quality, comprising a liquid waste Composition according to claim 6 or claim 7 as an active ingredient together with a carrier.

13. A meithod for accelerating the growth of plants, comprising the step of applying an organic waste material processed by the method accord-ing to any one of claims I to 5 to the soil.

14. A method for improving the soil, comprising the step of applying an organic waste material processed by the method aocording to any one of claims I to 5 to the soil. ra~ A method for destroying or repelling insect pests, Scomprising the step of spraying an orgunic waste material Davies COH1116n Cave 31t4 is- 11-96 14: 30 [341 49 a a a a a a -21- processed by the method accord~ng to any one of claims 1 to

16. A nmethod of deodorizing an unpleasant odor, comprising the step of applying an organic waste material processed by the method according to any one of claims I to 5 to the source of the unpleasant odor.

17. A method for improving water quality, comprising the step of applying an organic waste material processed by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 to sewage. Dated this 13th day of November, 1996, Teruo Higa By his Patent Attorneys Davies Collison Cave T I ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein are a method f£or disposing of organic waste materials using microorganisms; methods for accelerating the growth of plants, for destroying or repelling insect pests, for improving the soil, of deodorization and for improving water quality, using the waste materials processed by the disposal method; and compositions for use in these methods. The microbiological method for disposing of an organic waste material comprises the step of bringing an organic waste material into contact with (ii) at least 5 species of microorganisms, each being selected from each of i" groups consisting of actinomycetes, phototrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, mold fungi and yeast, the 15 microorganisms being acid-fast, capable of producing lactic -raid, producing no butyric acid, (d) being non-pathoge.',, and having an antagonistic value S* of 50 or more.