How
enzymes aid in digestion?
An
enzyme is a chemical catalyst that breaks up long, complex waste
molecules (Hydrolytic Reaction) into smaller pieces, which can
then be digested directly by the bacteria.
Enzymes
are simply chemicals - they are not living things,
and they cannot grow or reproduce themselves. Enzymes
are manufactured by bacteria, and used by the bacteria in
order to digest waste. The enzymes that are mixed into the products
are actually produced by special bacteria, extracted
from them in dry form, and blended into the mixture.
Enzyme
are added to help them go to work faster. When added to the organic
waste, the enzymes immediately go to work breaking down the
waste into water - soluble nutrients for the bacteria
to digest. The enzymes break the large, complex molecules of starches,
proteins, carbohydrates, and cellulose into smaller, simpler pieces.
These enzymes act like chemical "knives", chopping the
large molecules of waste into smaller pieces of water - soluble nutrients
for the bacteria. The growing bacteria will then start to produce
more enzymes on their own, creating a continuing cycle of enzyme
production.