Odor Control
Products

The Efficient Microorganism known by their acronym in English (EM) consist of a liquid formulated products that contain more than 80 species of microorganisms, some species are aerobic, anaerobic and even photosynthetic species that can develop together.

The ME have shown beneficial effects for the control of odors in sewage treatment and management of solid and liquid waste generated by agricultural production, among others. Its origin dates back to the sixties in Japan, with successive changes over time. One of the most important moments in the development of the product was in 1982, when horticulture professor Teruo Higa, from the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, presented the commercial formulation known as ME for the biological conditioning of the soils. As a technology, EM consist of the mixed microbial culture of selected microorganism species which coexist at an approximate pH of 3.5.

EM are a mixture of three groups of completely natural microorganisms that are commonly found in soils and in food. EM contains:

• Lactobacillus, similar to those used to make yogurt and cheese.

• Yeasts, such as those used to make bread, beer or wine.

• Phototrophic or photosynthetic bacteria, common inhabitants of soils and plant roots.

These microorganisms are not harmful, toxic, or genetically modified by man; on the contrary, they are natural, beneficial and highly efficient. Dr. Higa’s discovery consisted in finding a way for these three groups to coexist, creating a combination that has a synergistic effect, that is, the team task is greater than the sum of its individual members.

EM, due to the presence of photosynthetic bacteria in its composition, has the property of neutralizing bad odors and preventing them. Photosynthetic bacteria transform substances that produce unpleasant odors (methane, mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, etc.) into organic acids that do not produce bad odors and are not harmful to humans. In this sense, EM can be used in grease fittings, bathrooms, kitchens, rooms with a musty or tobacco smoke smell, shoes, clothes and in places occupied by pets, dogs or other animals, etc.

Lactobacilli or lactic acid bacteria produce substances that accelerate the decomposition of organic matter, for which EM allows the composting period to be reduced. These microorganisms also produce substances that help control some pathogens that attack plants. The yeasts, for their part, produce substances that act as natural hormones that promote the growth and development of plants.

EM induces organic matter to rapidly decompose via fermentation and not putrefaction. Since flies prefer the latter to develop, the use of EM reduces the population of flies. EM has the advantage over insecticides that it is completely safe and has no risk of intoxication, which makes it especially suitable for those places where food is handled or where children or irresponsible people frequent.