What is Eco-Enzyme?

Eco-enzyme is a liquid made from the fermentation of organic waste from ingredients such as vegetables, fruit, and sugar. Usually brown with a strong sweet and sour fermented aroma.

Based on the results of microscopic observations, it was found that the eco-enzyme contains a liquid dominated by propagules similar to fungal or mold hypa with a pH in the range of 3 - 4 or quite acidic (admin, 2022).

According to Benny et al. (2023) fruit peels, especially orange peels and vegetables such as tomatoes, are the best organic materials for producing eco-enzymes because they are rich in organic acids.

Utility

Eco-enzyme is a multipurpose liquid with uses that are usually used as organic fertilizer for agriculture, plantations, in the livestock industry, medicine, and as a floor cleaning agent. It doesn't stop there, ecoenzymes are also said to be used as medicine for the human body, such as mouthwash, preventing skin fungus, eczema, and even tartar on the teeth (admin, 2022).

Benefits

Its use in many applications in the environment is done not only because of its cheap price and materials that are easy to obtain. However, especially because of its scientifically proven benefits as a disinfectant, anti-fungal agent, helping to purify the air from bacteria, increasing plant growth, and processing metal-based waste which occurs as a result of increasing industrialization.

Eco-enzymes made from various orange peels are used to treat wastewater such as in rivers where contaminated waste is dumped (Benny et al., 2023). The use of water is mainly obtained through enzyme residues that flow underground which ultimately purify rivers and seas (What Is Eco Enzyme? | 环保酵素 Enzyme SOS, 2014).

How to Make Eco-Enzyme

Making eco-enzymes is quite easy and economical because the materials needed are generally household waste. Following are the ingredients needed and how to make them.

Tools and materials

• Fruit skin
• Red sugar
• Water
• Storage containers made of plastic can be jars or containers. It is recommended that it be made of plastic to avoid an explosion after gas is formed.

How to Make It

• Measure water, fruit peels, and brown sugar in a ratio of 10:3:1. 10 grams of brown sugar, 30 grams of fruit peels, and 100 grams of water
• Cut the fruit skin into small pieces
• Mix and stir all the ingredients in a container then cover tightly and let sit for up to 3 months in a protected place
• In the early stages of fermentation, after mixing, open the lid of the container approximately once a week to prevent explosions
• After 3 months, the eco-enzyme fluid that has successfully formed will be dark brown with a strong sour odor. If the liquid is black, add more sugar to continue the fermentation process.
• Just ignore any worms and insects because they will decompose through the fermentation process
• Strain the liquid from any remaining organic waste and store it in any container for later use

How to use Eco-Enzyme

Not only is the manufacturing process easy, the application method can also be said to be very easy. Ecoenzymes as residual liquid can be poured into other organic materials according to their intended use. However, you need to pay attention to the dosage for each application.

1 liter of water mixed with 1 milliliter of eco-enzyme can be used as fertilizer, while 1 bucket of water mixed with 1 capful of eco-enzyme can be used as a floor cleaner (prasetya1, 2023).