Evaluation of Performance of Cowdung as Microbial Inoculum in Industrial Wastewater Treatment and its Environmental Implications

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of cowdung as a microbial inoculum for the bioremediation of wastewater from industrial effluents. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Microbiological analysis of multiple cowdung samples was carried out to assess the population of Gram positive and Gram-negative population. The variation in microbial population of the cowdung in relation to its moisture content was assessed. Further, the performance of cowdung in comparison to commercially available microbial formulation Clean Maxx was studied. Findings: The microbiological analysis of cowdung revealed that the population and stability of the Gram-negative bacteria is higher than Gram positive ones. Almost 85% were lactose fermenters which in turn could be considered as indicators of pathogenic load of the cowdung. Effluent treatment simulation study using cowdung revealed 70% COD reduction as compared to Clean Maxx which could effectively reduce up to 90% COD. Application/Improvements: The study demonstrates the use of cowdung for industrial wastewaters to be irrational and non-sustainable. Conclusively, the study emphasises the use of scientifically designed microbial products for effluent treatment over the unmitigated use of cowdung.