RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Palmisano, A. C. A1 Maruscik, D. A. A1 Schwab, B. S.YR 1993 T1 Enumeration of fermentative and hydrolytic micro-organisms from three sanitary landfills JF Microbiology, VO 139 IS 2 SP 387 OP 391 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-139-2-387 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2080, AB Fermentative bacteria were isolated from refuse excavated from municipal solid waste landfills in New York, Florida and Arizona. Anaerobic bacteria cultured on enriched solid media ranged from 105 to 108 c.f.u. (g dry wt of refuse)−1. A significant correlation (P <0·03) was found between numbers of anaerobes cultured at 37 °C and moisture content of refuse. Bacteria hydrolysing starch and protein represented 0-15 % of the total anaerobes cultured; no anaerobic bacteria hydrolysing ball-milled cellulose were isolated. Aerobic bacteria isolated on enriched medium ranged between 104 and 107 c.f.u. (g dry wt)−1. Direct microscopic counts of total bacteria associated with refuse were in the order of 1010 bacteria (g dry wt)−1. These data suggest that, despite relatively high densities of bacteria in landfills, polymer hydrolysis is mediated by a small percentage of the fermentative population., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-139-2-387