How
bacteria and enzymes work to digest organic wastes?
The
following discussion outlines the biological process. This process
is responsible for the digestion of organic waste, no matter where
it occurs. With minor variations, this same process digest waste
in:
Aquaculture,
Agriculture, Composting, Livestock, Municipal, and Industrial
Wastewater Treatment
BACTERIAL
/ ENZYME DIGESTION |
Bacterial digestion is the process of bacteria, consuming organic
matter. Enzymes act to break the organic matter into water - soluble
nutrients, which the bacteria digest. Using complex chemical
reactions, the organic waste is metabolized down to water and
carbon dioxide (the final metabolic waste products), providing
the bacteria with energy for growth and reproduction. It may be
simply shown by the following equation:
Organic
waste + water -----Enzyme---->
water soluble nutrients + oxygen ----Bacteria--->
water + carbon dioxide
Organic
waste + Water ------Enzyme------->Water
Soluble Nutrients -----Bacteria--->
Water + Carbon Dioxide
Simple
Chemical Equation
Organic waste is consumed by the bacteria, used as nutrients by
the bacteria, and is no longer present to produce odors, sludge,
pollution, or unsightly mess.