Evaluating the efficiency of Garbage enzymes in wastewater recycling: A pioneering study in environmental sustainability

Garbage enzyme is a complex solution produced by fermentation of fresh kitchen waste (fruit and vegetable peels), sugar (brown sugar, jaggery or molasses) and water. The use of garbage enzyme has been proven to be an effective method for wastewater treatment. In the present study, different concentrations of garbage enzymes 10% and 20%, and different treatment times (24 hours and 10 days), were used to treat wastewater after collection from treatment sites (Rustamia station) and before disposal into river water (Diyala River). Parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids, biological oxygen demand (BOD5), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were analyzed for the present investigation. The results showed that the bio-enzyme could remove the properties of total dissolved solids (TDS, Mn, EC, Na, SO4, Cd NO3, .) from wastewater; the biological effectiveness of the bio-enzyme was also examined in inhibiting the growth of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive)) and bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) as well as fungi (Aspergillus niger). No significant difference was observed in the pH properties; it remained acidic. Bio-enzyme can be used as an economical option to enhance the properties of wastewater by treating it with bio-enzymes and making it suitable for different purposes. Moreover, the use of bio-enzymes can also help in ensuring the removal of chemicals during wastewater treatment processes making it environmentally sustainable.