2.1. Collection of sample
The compost samples of EFB and POME were taken at week 6 of the composting process from Felda Maokil, Labis, Johor. The compost windrow was 1 m in height and made up of with the ration of 40 t EFB:120 t POME. Turnover of the compost pile was done once in every 3 days with special vehicle to provide aeration. A total of 5 kg compost material was collected and sampled at its surface (surface compost) and 0.5 m inside (inside compost). These samples were used for microbiological studies and physicochemical analysis and stored at −80 °C for any further analysis. Microbiological studies were also performed on POME sample.