ENZYME QUESTIONS

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions.  They are specific in nature and only catalyze certain types of reactions.  They are not living so do not reproduce.  Over time they are broken down or digested as a food source so enzymes only work for a short period of time.

It is better to have bacteria that are living, reproducing and producing the complete complement of enzymes for all the steps necessary to carry out the breakdown of specific materials.  Enzymes are also the byproducts of active microbial action enabling them to break down and use the food. They are the catalysts the bacteria use to help absorb food through the cell membranes. The bacteria produce enzymes, much like we do in our own mouths, stomachs and intestines, in the digestive process.

Where enzymes are beneficial is in speeding up what would be the “rate-limiting” step in a sequence of reactions, as we do with the cellulase enzyme in the ML Autumn/Winter Prep and Spring/ Summer Cleaner.

There are 8 two ounce packets contained in one plastic bag in each ML/Spring/Summer Cleaner or 4 two ounce packets in Autumn/Winter Prep quart package. These packets are water soluble and pre-measured for easy application. Take them out of the outer plastic bag and toss the recommended amount of packets directly into pond. In minutes the water soluble case will dissolve and the enclosed sawdust-looking contents (enzyme) will disperse.

For optimal performance (optional), place the water soluble packets in a bucket of luke warm water (85ºF) until the packets are dissolved. Stir the contents of the bucket and add to the pond.

The enzymes will not harm the fish.  It should not have any appeal for the fish.  The contents dissolve quickly and are broken down by the bacteria.  If a little would be ingested. it is non-toxic.  The fish will help circulate the enzymes if they do ingest any.

Leftover packets can be used the following season.  These do not go to waste.  The packets are specific to consume organic leaf matter in the pond, therefore if used in fall, any remaining product can be used in spring for any new leaves blown in during the later part of winter.

No, it won’t hurt anything in the pond. This product is safe and natural.

The liquid and packets are a two-step process, independent and complementary to each other. The liquid contains cold-weather bacteria (psychrophilic) to remain active under low temperature conditions, independent of photosynthetic conditions. The dry, water soluble packets contain a blend of cellulase enzymes, cellulase-producing bacteria and a cold weather bacterium. The cellulase enzymes, along with the cellulase-producing bacteria, are the key to accelerating the breakdown of leaves and cellulosic matter all winter long. Whereas they work together in cold weather conditions, they work individually in that the dry water soluble packets are specifically formulated to accelerate the breakdown of leaf matter and the liquid bacteria completes the break down of other organic materials in the pond and the byproducts of the initial steps in the breakdown of the leaf matter.

All of our dry biological products , and the dry bio-products with added enzyme and other support material have an extended shelf life well beyond our two year stated claim. The dry formulation consist of multiple strains of spore forming microorganisms and these microorganisms can stay in the spore form (dormant state) for an indefinite period of time when properly stored.

The method of enzyme microbial activation is two fold: a) the addition of water; b) the presence of waste organic matter. Both of these factors are required to activate the powdered microbes and stimulate the biological oxidation process.