Bio enzymes – Nature’s boon

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has

Margaret Mead

Thank you very much for stopping by. I appreciate your curiosity and positivity. Hope you find the information useful.

Key content and what to expect?

1. Who is the audience of this post?
2. What are Bio enzymes?
3. Why am I talking about Bio enzymes?
4. How to make Bio enzymes?
5. What’s the process after Bio enzymes are ready?
6. What are the utilities?
7. How to get started, sowing the seed of sustainability 🙂

What’s in it for you? Are you the intended audience?

If your response is ‘yes’ to any of the below question then my response in ‘yes’ to above:)

1. You use chemical based cleaning agents/ detergents/ liquids for household needs
2. You try to protect yourself, family, pets and environment from all health hazards
3. You want to save environment but your busy schedule leaves you with no energy and time
4. You are aware and want to change but how does your contribution matter when everybody else is fooling around? Do you agree?

What are Bio enzymes?

1. Bio-enzymes It is an organic liquid produced by fermentation of fruits, vegetables, sugar and water. Chemically, It’s a mixture of vinegar, alcohol and other organic compounds (salt/ proteins/ by-products of microorganisms). In simpler words, enzymes are proteins and salts left behind by microorganisms.
2. Inventor Fermentation is an age old process, it has been used for centuries to make wine, vinegar, pickles etc. Bio-enzymes were first introduced by Dr. Rosukun Poompanvong (Thailand). The ratio of ingredients, duration and chemical process make it unique.

Why am I talking about Bio enzymes? Why should everyone use it?

1. Health and environment at stake Ever wondered what’s inside your household cleaning agent (Dishwasher/ Toilet/ Floor/ Laundry / Any other surface cleaner)? Vast majority of cleaning agents contain toxic chemicals like phosphates, ammonia, nitrates, chlorine and other hazardous chemicals. These chemicals are not only threat at home but unfortunately contaminate water bodies, soil and air ( recent example Bellandur Lake, Bangalore spews white foam, fumes and caught fire multiple times ). At home, the chemicals enter into our system through utensils, floor, clothes because they are difficult to break down.These toxins travel from our drains to sewage system to lakes/ river/ soil. Eventually it comes back to us in the form of food, water and air.
2. Multipurpose and organic Bio enzymes are the most inexpensive and natural way to meet cleaning requirements. It’s 100% organic, a substitute of harsh chemical based cleaners like bleach, phenyl, toilet cleaner, dishwasher.
3. Made from waste As you learn about the ingredient and process, you will understand it’s environmental friendly and made from waste materials. Humans have a very little role in executing the process.
4. Sustainable All cleaning agents are packed in plastic/ paper or glass. We understand it’s not at all sustainable. You not only avoid unnecessary packaging but reuse what’s already available.

How to make Bio enzymes?

1. Ingredients 1 portion Jaggery/ Brown sugar (powder/block), 3 portions fruit and vegetables peel (I recommend CITRUS, lemons, sweet lime, grapefruit, all orange family, pineapple) and 10 portions water. Just remember the ratio 1:3:10. If you don’t have measurement cup, don’t bother just pick any container for jaggery/sugar and use the same to maintain ratio of peels and water. As shown in the picture. One plastic air tight container for storage (any container with tight lid e.g. Muesli/oats/ grain storage box. Leftover Plastic container is recommended. Glass/ clay/Metal are not advisable). The container should be big enough to store the mixture with 10-15% empty space. To quicken the process you may add 1 teaspoonful yeast.
2. Mixture
   1. Add water, Jaggery/Brown sugar and citrus peels in a container.
   2. Stir well and close it tightly.
   3. Label it with date of creation and keep it under dark place for 3 months (preferably under kitchen sink, temperature shouldn’t fluctuate much), If you add 1 teaspoon yeast then bio enzymes will be ready in 20 days. Away from sunlight and definitely not in fridge.
   4. In the first week, open the container every day for a minute, this is to release gases (mostly CO2, Hydrogen build up). Second week onward, once in two or three days. Slowly gas will stop building up and by the end of 40 days, you may open once a week in 2nd month and once in fortnight in 3rd month.
3. Fermentation The process is very simple and doesn’t need any human intervention. Air tight container promotes fermentation and prevents flies/ worms. The microorganisms in the mixture will start feeding on sugar and multiply. Once sugar is finished, they will start breaking down peels and when there’s no food left, they will eventually die after 3 months and leave behind precious waste (proteins/ enzymes). Hence bio enzymes will not be sugary and sticky. It’s like vinegar.
4. What to expect during 3 months
   1. You will notice fungus or white layer on top. That’s a good sign, it’s natural occurring yeast.
   2. In the first month, it will smell alcohol and 2nd month like vinegar.
   3. The gases released from this process are not toxic. So don’t worry about safety. Important is to keep the lid tight and release gases time to time.
   4. Small worms (black or white). This is not a good sign. It happens because the lid was not tight and as a result flies/ pests laid their eggs inside. We don’t want too much oxygen inside the jar as it will start supporting pests.
   5. Rotten smell Ideally bio enzymes smell citrus or vinegar like. If it’s smelling very bad (odour is intolerable). Then add 100 gms of brown sugar to 1 litre mixture and close it tightly.

Process after bio enzymes are ready

1. Readiness After 3 months the texture becomes opaque and bulk of peels would settle down. You will notice flat liquid/ no gas at all. If that’s not the case then leave it for 1 more month. Bio enzymes don’t expire, it gets better with time.
2. Filter Take a cloth, filter the mixture and separate liquid and pulp.
3. Pulp It has below utilities:-
   1. Add in the next batch of bio enzyme, it can replace yeast and quicken the process to 20 days
   2. Add in the compost
   3. Can be used to wash utensils, gas stoves or greasy surface
4. Liquid Treat it like any other cleaner, it has no expiry. In fact with time, the molecules become more and more refined and thick. Store it in a cool place.

Utilities of bio enzymes

I have very recently started to use bio enzymes, still exploring utilities. Some popular uses I gathered from users are mentioned below:-

1. Floor, Tiles – Same dilution as phenyl
2. Toilet – Use as concentrate in pot just like toilet cleaner
3. Gas stove/ Chimney/ Greasy surface use bio enzyme pulp as-is to clean. or Soak soapnut(shikakai) in bio enzymes for few days and use the concentrate to clean
4. Laundry
   1. Washing machine – 100 ml for 1 load (not too dirty)
   2. Very dirty clothes – Use it along with 10 soapnuts & 150 ml BE. Scrub the concentrate directly on dirty area and leave it for sometime
   3. Soapnut & BE mixture – You can store it and use it as and when needed.
5. Utensils Use BE as-is or can be used with soapnuts.
6. Other surface cleaner I am still exploring dilution % with water. Mostly it’s 1:10. Try what works best for you.
7. Pest control Dilution 1:100

How to get started

You clock 10-12 hours at work, you are already struggling with your priorities. How will you get time for bio enzymes? Here’s how you can get started

1. Willingness I can assure 100% success if you are willing to contribute. This thought is more than enough to translate into action.
2. Collecting peels Bio enzymes works best with fresh citrus peels. If you don’t have fresh peels, then you can use thawed ones. Start collecting peels or rotten citrus fruit/ liquid in a bowl. Make it a practice to put used peels in fridge. Keep it in the freezer till the quantity is sufficient for a batch
3. Collect leftover plastic jars/ cans/ bottles You will need containers to store the mixture and final output. Collect refined oil cans, soda bottles, muesli/ oats jar etc.
4. Preparation time It takes 10 minutes to prepare the mixture and 1 minute to open the container (time to time).
5. Buy bio enzymes If you don’t have time at all then purchase bio enzymes. Available online and also in some local shops. Bio enzymes are sold in used plastic containers.

Hope the page was useful. This is an attempt to make our fragile planet a better place to live. Hope you adopt and inspire others to make. Please share, leave your questions and comments.