The use of Bacterial / Enzymatic Products has produced an important development in the Janitorial Industry but today there are more efficient and economical products, such as Non-Active Biocatalysts like Eco-Clean.
BACTERIA / ENZYMES
Bacteria, living one-cell microorganisms, are present throughout our environment. Bacteria help to degrade waste, control odors and remove stains. In essence, the bacterial cultures are “eating machines” whose sole purpose is to decompose and digest organic matter.
All bacteria must eat to stay alive. However, unlike humans, bacteria do not have mouths or teeth with which to eat. Therefore, bacteria produce enzymes, which break down waste into liquids that can then be absorbed by the bacteria. Subsequently the bacteria convert the absorbed liquids into Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Water (H2O), which are harmless to the environment. Enzymes are actually catalysts, which initiate the chemical processes involved in digestion.
Contrary to popular belief, neither bacteria nor their enzyme secretions are miniature Pac Men gobbling up organic dots of waste. Rather, bacteria are like sponges that absorb organic waste, that has been liquefied by enzymes.
After a short period of feeding on liquefied waste matter, each bacterium divides into two identical and fully functional duplicates of the original. This “replication” process will continue as long as an adequate food source exists to fuel the process. Increased bacteria count means increased enzymatic activity, which results in faster decomposition and digestion of organic waste.
Compared to some caustic and potentially harmful chemicals currently used, bacteria and their workhouse enzyme secretions are safe for the environment.
The role of bacteria is to eliminate organic waste and consequent odors. Due to today’s increased pollution, enzymatic and bacterial natural activity arenot enough and the solution is not to add more bacteria or enzymes to the system, but to enhance their activity.
BACTERIAL / ENZYMATIC PRODUCTS
In recent years, as an alternative to chemicals, Bacterial / Enzymatic cleaning compounds were developed in an attempt to cure pollution without further harm to the environment. These compounds are indeed environmentally sound but they are more expensive and less efficient than chemicals. Bacteria are active and need special conditions and care; additionally, enzymes continually break down and are required in very large concentrations to be effective.
With the majority of competitors claiming their bacterial / enzymatic products are the one and only solution to the vast array of wastewater problems, the following statements were compiled from leading experts:
Kevin Wilcox – EPA advisor on septic systems
“Engineers believe that bacteria and enzyme additives offer no benefit to septic systems. Septic tanks have enough natural bacteria; there are billions of bacteria in septic tanks, adding a few thousand more makes no sense.”
Dr. R.B. Grubbs – Bacterial Supplementation Scientist
“It is not worth it to add foreign bacteria to a wastewater system. The system has site-specific bacteria that are not compatible with the majority of added bacteria. Only after careful analyses can foreign bodies be engineered before being added and have them accepted by organisms that are present in the system. When bacteria are added, they must be heated within a certain temperature range and added at specific intervals to have any effect upon the system. Even if any of the bacteria lives after it is added and it is the correct strain, the small amount you actually add is insignificant to the overall system and creates no benefit.
Harold Schmidt Ph.D. – Pioneer of septic tanks and effluent pump (STEP) systems
“There is sufficient numbers of bacteria and enzymes in a system; adding more is a waste of time and money – I’d rather throw in a dime. At least that way, you get your money back.”
John Winneberger Ph.D. – Over 34 years experience in septic tank technology
“There are more than 1200 products asserting that their “enzymes” will help septic tank digestion. Bacteria produce their own enzymes and only eat as much as their own enzymes can digest. So far, no enzymes could benefit a septic system unless you eat it first.”
Washington State Department of Health
“Bacteria do not improve the performance of the tank. They do not reduce the need of routine pumping and some are even harmful to the system.”
Dr. Brian Cooper – Ontario Ministry of Environment
“No benefits will result from the addition of bacteria or enzymes to a septic system. There is a host of organisms within a system that is totally capable of achieving their functions.”
Dr. Roger Machmeier – University of Minnesota. Septic System answer man for the North American Wastewater Assoc.
“The clogging mat is rich in heterotrophic bacteria and their enzymes so that the addition of a few extraneous bacteria, bacteria spores, or enzymes cannot evoke a significant change. Even if the bacteria or enzymes present in the preparations happened to be adapted for optimum growth or action under the pH, temperature and oxygen conditions present in clogged soil, it is unlikely that they will be able to compete effectively with or supplement substantially the massive amounts of bacteria and enzymes ready in the clogging zone. It is more likely that the commercial bacteria are not adapted to the peculiar environment of the clogged soil and the commercial enzymes are either inactivated by the sulfides present in the clogged soil, or, as proteins, digested by the bacteria in the clogging zone.”
NON-ACTIVE BIOCATALYSTS
Bioremediation processes depend on a living, biological continuous system, that is, one that runs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, these processes operate best within optimum ranges of pH and temperature. But even under ideal conditions, given the current rates of pollution, microorganisms need help to enhance reaction rates in order to reach efficient biodegradation levels.
Non-Active Biocatalysts enhance the action of microorganisms present in the media to reach efficient levels of environmental remediation at a low cost. Used in the prescribed way and with appropriate dosage, they will excite cell metabolism to a maximum activity level.
Non-Active Biocatalysts stimulate naturally occurring microorganisms to efficiently digest organic compounds, converting them into carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and other harmless elements.
Non-Active Biocatalysts’ main characteristics include: Don’t contain microorganisms / Stable / Biodegradable / Non-Toxic and Non-Hazardous / Safe for Humans, Animals and Plants / No special handling requirements / No fumes or irritating vapors are released / Non-Flammable and Non-Corrosive.