5.11 My Alternatives to Synthetic Products?
Bio-enzymes: A wonderful gift from Nature
Author: Paddy TheMuse
Bio-enzymes are a wonderful gift from the nature. Obtained by fermenting the fruit peels, they can be used for cleaning rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and all kinds of organic matters.
Bio-enzymes is an all purpose cleaning agent that can be used for a versatile range of applications. Other functions include plant growth booster and anti-mildew.
Bio-enzymes are environment-friendly and has no polluting effects!
How do Bioenzymes work?
Bio-enzymes contain non-pathogenic, ‘good’ bacteria. These bacteria have the property to digest the waste (grime, dust & stains). They do so by producing enzymes that are capable of breaking down waste molecules into smaller pieces (soil). These smaller pieces become the food for the bacteria. The bacteria consume the soil / waste & break them into two basic compounds – carbon dioxide & water. The bacteria grow in numbers and continue to digest the waste until their food supply diminishes (till the waste particles remain).
Are Bio-enzymes Safe?
Bio-enzymes are safe for all external applications. They are composed of non-pathogenic, ‘good’ bacteria.
Bio-enzymes are safer for both environment and human health as compared to other conventional chemical products. The micro-organisms have the ability to penetrate into small cracks & crevices to eliminate waste & odour which normal chemicals can’t. They can help displacing disease causing pathogenic bacteria.
Bio-enzymes are safer for infants & pets too.
The only caution would be to take care during the process of preparing the bio-enzymes. Hence, following the steps mentioned in the last section is recommended.
Application of bio-enzymes
Additionally, it can also,
a. Cleanse Air – spray to bring down indoor pollutants at home / office / car.
b. Revive Waterbodies – restore eco-balance by pouring bio enzyme into lakes / ponds.
c. The pulp sediment at the bottom of the container can be used for very stubborn stains like chimney, clogs etc.
Specifically for farming
a. The residue can be used as a fertilizer. Dry it well and mix it with soil. It can put in the composting bin too.
a. Diluted bio-enzyme is also used as a liquid nutrient or liquid fertilizer for plants – dilute it 1:50 for roots-on, 1:100 as a foliar spray.
How to make bio-enzymes?
Bio-enzyme can be prepared in the reusable plastic containers or solid plastic buckets, with tight lids, as plastic can expand due to its elasticity, which is required for holding the slight pressure of the gases that are released during the fermentation process.
Citrus Fruit Peels (lemon, orange, sweet lime, pineapple, so on), Jaggery and Water are the ingredients for making the bio-enzymes in a ratio of 3:1:10 respectively.
Even fruit pulp remains from a juice shop is good. Whole fruits need not be used, just the peels; and, if it’s the first batch, it is better to use only citrus fruit peels / skin.
It is absolutely fine if you get the crumbs / leftovers of jaggery (also called ‘chura’ in Hindi), which remains in the bottom of the jaggery making pan in the jaggery making factory or the container in which the shopkeepers store the jaggery.
The first batch of bio-enzyme takes 3 months (90 days) to be ready and, the subsequent batches in 1 month.
The bio-enzymes can be preserved life long.
Steps for preparing the bio-enzyme
a. The container should have enough space for all the ingredients. For a minimum preparation with 1 litre of water (300 gms of citrus fruit peels : 100 gms of jaggery : 1 litre (1000 ml) of water), the container should at least be of double capacity in voulme i.e. 2 litres.
b. After mixing all the ingredients, the container should be secured with an airtight lid as there should be no oxygen supply for the fermentation to kick in. This is known as ‘anaerobic’ reaction. There will be good amount of gas that will be formed in the first 15 days.
c. After closing the lid, a sticker can be pasted on the container with the start date. The sticker can be cover with a scotch tape, if the need is felt. However, the sticker will not soak liquid as there will not be any spillage due to the large size of the container and the tight lid.
d. After 24 hours, the gas needs to be released without fail. The lid should be loosened very slowly such that the gas can escape. After about one minute or so, the lid can be further loosened bit by bit. This is to take care that the gas does not burst out of the container throwing out the ingredients and to prevent bursting of the container or some such mishap like that.
e. The gas should be released daily in the first week, like in the above procedure. In the second week, releasing the gas on alternate days is fine, and in the subsequent weeks, 2 to 3 times a week depending on how much gas has been formed.
f. After the first month, releasing the gas once a week is sufficient. After opening the lid and letting out the gas, the ingredients should be thoroughly mixed, maybe with a wooden ladle; the lid then needs to be covered back tightly.
g. The container needs to be stored in a cool, dry place. There will not be any odour from the liquid. Albeit, there maybe some odour during the releasing of the gas in the initial 15 days only.
h. On the 90th day, the liquid on top of the container can be decanted into a bottle (may be a glass bottle at this time) and stored and used as per the applications listed above (refer image in the ‘Applications of bio-enzymes’ section and the points below the image).
i. The remaining pulp sediment at the bottom of the container will be the feeder for preparing the next batch of bio-enzymes. The subsequent batches of bio-enzymes will be ready in 1 month’s time.
Some more videos on how to make bio enzymes
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ootndgap13ap8zg/IMG_5817.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/94tps30tknrw630/IMG_5818.MOV?dl=0
The natural detergent by Hindu
1,116 total views, 5 views today
