How Do Waste Enzymes Function?

Enzyme-mediated remediation involves the conversion of hazardous wastes into non-toxic or biodegradable materials. Major enzymes involved in this process include hydrolases, lipases, oxidoreductases, oxygenases, and laccases. Garbage enzyme (GE) is a multipurpose liquid produced from the fermentation of organic waste, such as vegetable and fruit residues, sugar (brown sugar or molasses sugar), and water. GE can be used for various environmental activities, including waste activated sludge, composting processes, landfill leachate treatment, soil remediation, and wastewater treatment.

Enzymes break down rotten roots and bad bacteria to improve soil structures by eliminating dead materials. This process creates new air and water channels to keep the environment clean. The process, called enzymatic recycling, employs enzymes initially produced by bacteria to break down plastics.

Dr. Rosukon P of Thailand has developed an innovative enzyme called garbage enzyme or eco-enzyme, which is produced from fermenting raw kitchen waste. GE is used in mopping liquid, kitchen cleaner, fruit and vegetable cleaner, and more. It can also act on specific recalcitrant pollutants to eliminate them through precipitation or transformation with other products.

Enzymes secreted by microorganisms play an important role during solid waste composting, mainly including hydrolytic and redoxase enzymes. Garbage enzyme produces a gas that lowers carbon dioxide levels in the air, kills air-borne bacteria, and increases oxygen. To make garbage enzyme, leftover fruits and peels are added to black sugar and water, allowing it to ferment for 3 months, resulting in a homemade vinegar.

How to make garbage enzyme?

You have to prepare 1 portion of brown sugar (or any raw unprocessed sugar), 3 portions of peels, 10 portions of water and a bottle. The ratio should be 1 : 3 : 10.

For example by weight: 100g brown sugar + 300g of veggie/fruit peel + 1000ml of water (use any multiples thereof, maintaining the same ratio).

STEP 4 : Place the container in a dry and well ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight.. (During the 1st month of fermentation, open the lid once every two days to release gas produced during fermentation. After a few weeks, the gas will reduce and you only need to stir it every one or two weeks.)

• Additional Tips :. Reusing old plastic containers are preferred as gas will be released during the fermentation process. Plastic containers are not as rigid as glass or metal.
• Only use fruit/vegetable waste, avoid oily cooked food, fish or meat residues. To make a fresh smelling enzyme, add orange/lemon peel or pandan leaves.
• During the fermentation process, it will produce smells so make sure you close the lid of the container tightly.
• To know if the fermentation process is going well, you should see a white layer of biofilm on the surface of the enzyme.
• The ideal color of garbage enzymes is dark brown. If the color turns to black add the same amount of brown sugar to re-ferment it.

How do enzymes break stuff down?

Enzymes perform the critical task of lowering a reaction’s activation energy—that is, the amount of energy that must be put in for the reaction to begin. Enzymes work by binding to reactant molecules and holding them in such a way that the chemical bond-breaking and bond-forming processes take place more readily.

How do enzymes break down waste?

Contrary to popular belief, enzymes are not alive. They are produced by live bacteria and pave the way for it to work. Enzymes operate as helpful tools that catalyze (speed up) chemical reactions between bacteria and soils, making the bacteria more efficient. Enzymes work to break down complex waste particles into smaller pieces that bacteria can more easily consume. These smaller particles—organic wastes, urine, grease, stains—become “food” for bacteria to digest and break down into two basic compounds—carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Typical enzymes can be categorized into four main groups, based on the types of soils they react with.

• Proteases break down protein-based soils including blood, urine, food, feces, wine and other beverages.
• Lipases break down fat molecules like oils and grease.
• Amylases break down starch molecules like eggs, sugars, sauces, ice cream, gravy.
• Cellulases are used to soften fabric and restore color to fibers made up of cellulose material. They also remove particulate soil and reduce fabric graying and pilling.

What is a garbage enzyme?

Abstract: Garbage enzyme (GE) refers to Kitchen waste ferments which is an organic solution produced by the simple fermentation of fresh kitchen waste (fruit and vegetable peels), sugar (brown sugar, jaggery or molasses) in water. It is vinegar like liquid, multi-component in nature and has been reported to be a multipurpose domestic preparation. Garbage enzymes have been reported to have applications as cleanser, deodoriser, insect repellent, soil conditioner, pesticide and fertilizer. Not much has been said about bioactive constitution of garbage enzyme which could be responsible for their multiple roles. In the present study, some of the physicochemical, enzymatic and microbial characteristics of indigenous laboratory preparations of Garbage Enzyme were analysed. Main findings indicated that GE was acidic in nature, acetic acid being a major component. Biochemical analysis of GE preparations revealed the presence of acetic acid, sugars, proteins, alcohol, enzyme activities like protease, amylase, lipase and papain. Heterogeneous microbial flora was found to be present. Therefore, the present study provides evidence for the application of GE as a multipurpose liquid. Garbage enzyme is eco-friendly alternative to commercial cleaning agents that cause water pollution and subsequently affect the environment adversely.

Samriti, Sajal Sarabhai, Arti Arya. Garbage enzyme: A study on compositional analysis of kitchen waste ferments. Pharma Innovation 2019;8:1193-1197.

What enzyme breaks down human waste?

Protease. This family of enzymes breaks down proteins like blood, mucus, feces and albumin. They take large, insoluble molecules and break them down into smaller, more water-soluble ones that are easier to clean and rinse away.

HEAD START Enzymes help break down bioburden before instruments arrive in central sterile.

Y ou spray enzymatic cleaners on your soiled instruments, but do you know how these protein-based detergents work and the role they play in your fight against bioburden? Enzymatic cleaners help prepare instruments and endoscopes for cleaning and sterilization or high-level disinfection by removing bodily fluids and tissue. They can be used as presoaks, during manual cleaning or in the first stage of automatic cleaning (as in ultrasonic washers or automated endoscope reprocessors).

By pre-cleaning, you’re already exposing proteins, lipids and starches to enzymes that can start breaking them down. Before an instrument arrives in central sterile, an enzymatic solution should already be in use. If not, gross soil could dry on the instrument, which then requires rehydration before cleaning, a time-consuming process that limits enzyme-soil contact time.

What is the enzyme activity of garbage enzymes?

This study was conducted for the characterization of GE and evaluation of its biocatalytic and antimicrobial activity. The maximum activity of amylase, protease and lipase were 1. 782 units/mg, 0. 050 units/mg and 0. 355 units/mg respectively were found in optimum conditions which also showed antioxidant properties.

Why are enzymes specific in garbage’s action?

As specific action of enzymes is because of the presence of active sites of definite shape and size on their surface. Therefore, a particular enzyme fits into a particular site on a substrate. Therefore, enzymes are very selective towards a substrate.

How do you turn waste into fertilizer?

Trench Composting. Dig a trench about 8 to 12 inches deep in your garden soil. Fill it with food scraps as you do your daily cooking and gardening. Cover the leftovers with a thin layer of soil after each addition. Over time, the buried food waste will decompose, enriching the soil with nutrients.

The food scraps and grass clippings break down right where it’s needed—among your plants. Plus, it’s a discreet method that reduces the risk of attracting pests or producing unpleasant odors associated with traditional compost piles.

Getting Started with Kitchen Waste Composting. Before you start, you want to decide what method works best for you. Consider available space, time commitment, and the desired composting speed.

How do you make garbage enzymes?

You have to prepare 1 portion of brown sugar (or any raw unprocessed sugar), 3 portions of peels, 10 portions of water and a bottle. The ratio should be 1 : 3 : 10.

For example by weight: 100g brown sugar + 300g of veggie/fruit peel + 1000ml of water (use any multiples thereof, maintaining the same ratio).

STEP 4 : Place the container in a dry and well ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight.. (During the 1st month of fermentation, open the lid once every two days to release gas produced during fermentation. After a few weeks, the gas will reduce and you only need to stir it every one or two weeks.)

• Additional Tips :. Reusing old plastic containers are preferred as gas will be released during the fermentation process. Plastic containers are not as rigid as glass or metal.
• Only use fruit/vegetable waste, avoid oily cooked food, fish or meat residues. To make a fresh smelling enzyme, add orange/lemon peel or pandan leaves.
• During the fermentation process, it will produce smells so make sure you close the lid of the container tightly.
• To know if the fermentation process is going well, you should see a white layer of biofilm on the surface of the enzyme.
• The ideal color of garbage enzymes is dark brown. If the color turns to black add the same amount of brown sugar to re-ferment it.

What is the ratio of garbage enzymes?

You have to prepare 1 portion of brown sugar (or any raw unprocessed sugar), 3 portions of peels, 10 portions of water and a bottle. The ratio should be 1 : 3 : 10.

For example by weight: 100g brown sugar + 300g of veggie/fruit peel + 1000ml of water (use any multiples thereof, maintaining the same ratio).

STEP 4 : Place the container in a dry and well ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight.. (During the 1st month of fermentation, open the lid once every two days to release gas produced during fermentation. After a few weeks, the gas will reduce and you only need to stir it every one or two weeks.)

• Additional Tips :. Reusing old plastic containers are preferred as gas will be released during the fermentation process. Plastic containers are not as rigid as glass or metal.
• Only use fruit/vegetable waste, avoid oily cooked food, fish or meat residues. To make a fresh smelling enzyme, add orange/lemon peel or pandan leaves.
• During the fermentation process, it will produce smells so make sure you close the lid of the container tightly.
• To know if the fermentation process is going well, you should see a white layer of biofilm on the surface of the enzyme.
• The ideal color of garbage enzymes is dark brown. If the color turns to black add the same amount of brown sugar to re-ferment it.

How to use garbage enzyme as fertilizer?

Dilute to 1000 times with water for use as natural insecticides, herbicides, pesticides and organic fertilizers. Also can be used to stimulate plant hormone to improve quality of fruits and vegetables and to increase crop yield. Spray on idle land for 3 months continuously to improve soil quality.