Lactic acid bacteria

Lactic Acid Bacteria, or LAB are gram-positive and are used in many food preparation fermentation systems.  Our interest in these bacteria is mainly related to the controlling of the fermentation/decomposition of protein sources used as feedstock for the worms.  Some of the features related to control of the fermentation are as follows:

• Acidity after fermentation is around 4, which can be adjusted chemically, or it will naturally readjust itself during the aerobic decomposition phase
• Anaerobic decomposition doesn't release large quantities of heat, meaning less energy is lost
• A tiny quantity of CO2 gas is released, instead of methane etc.
• Produces enzymes, which assist in sustained steady decomposition

There are some other beneficial side effects of utilizing an anaerobic LAB fermentation process for material which contains simple starches and sugars:

• Deleterious bio-organic compounds are partially decomposed/diluted
• Speed of decomposition is greatly increased
• Negative odors are almost completely eliminated
• Nutrients are made more bio-available after fermentation
• Many types of non-acceptable bio-materials are made acceptable
• Insects and other pathogenic organisms are reduced/eliminated
• Generally safer for the worms

The system which we are developing here has proven effective so far at quickly and safely converting many different types of bio-matter into a suitable feedstock for the rapid growth and consumption by composting worms.  We are continuing to experiment with different feedstock materials and the fermentation process to learn more about the complexity of the nitrogen cycle related to the availability of nutrients and minerals in the network of mechanisms that these bacteria use to generate an environment which is safe for them exclusively. 

As an added benefit, the substances which Lactic Bacteria use to deter growth of potentially competitive organisms are reported to have some potential benefits for humans and livestock.  Meaning that the air and the soil are packed with beneficial bacteria rather then potentially negative bacteria, such as exist in soil with uncontrolled bacterial activity.

The feedstock has a pleasant, fermentatious odor, which reminds me of a farm that I lived on as a child and is comforting to me. 

References:

• Design of a Protein Targeting System for Lactic Acid Bacteria - Journal of Bacteriology
• Lactic Acid Bacteria - A promising alternative for recombinant protein production - Microbial Cell Factories
• Recombinant protein production
• Heterologous proteins
• Lactococcus
• Streptococcus
• Lactobacillus
• Enzymes
• Facultative Anaerobes
• Lactobacillales