large TOC losses suggest pronounced microbial activity in the former. The t-test indicated that the EM application had a significant difference (p < 0.05) on the compost, which means that treatment C1 lost more carbon (C) than C2 during the composting process. Rice straw is a material that consists of high C content. Diaz et al. [17] reported that during composting, C is a source of energy for
microorganisms to build up cells. Almost all of the C is absorbed by the microorganisms and transformed to CO2 during the metabolism process of the cells. The left over C will be changed into membrane and protoplasm form. Throughout the composting process this organic matter is decomposed by microorganisms through which the organic carbon will be oxidized in aerobic condition to CO2 gas to the atmosphere and thus lower the C/N Ratio