The ability of the thermo-tolerant lipolytic actinomycete, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris A31, to efficiently decompose food waste into mature compost was studied. Using a range of chemical parameters (pH, total organic carbon content (TOC), total nitrogen content, C/N ratio), CO(2) evolution, enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase, urease) and germination assays, the composition, stability and maturity of the compost produced were assessed. Inoculation reduced crude fat and decreased the maturation time of the compost when compared with the control. TOC, C/N ratio, CO(2) evolution, and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase, urease) decreased, pH, total nitrogen content, germination rate, and germination index increased. The dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase, and urease activities were shown to be useful indicators for the stability of food waste composts. Based on germination assays, the food waste composts were phytotoxicity free and matured after composting for 2 months. Therefore, inoculation of food waste with the thermo-tolerant lipolytic actinomycete, T. vulgaris A31, presents as a feasible strategy to convert food wastes into mature compost efficiently. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.