Since its development, use of EM has spread in Japan with the support of practitioners of natural and organic farming, and has been introduced and widely-used in various countries around the world as well, reaching over 116 countries at present.
EM AND ITS POWER
EM is composed of microorganisms such as photosynthetic bacteria, yeast, lactic
acid bacteria, actinomycetes, and filamentous bacteria.
People think of dreadful bacteria when they hear of microbes or microorganisms.
However, EM does not contain any bad microorganisms (harmful bacteria such as
staphylococcus that causes food poisoning, welusia bacterium that causes old age) that are
harmful to humans, animals, or plants nor does it use genetically engineered microbes.
EM consists of only those microorganisms which ancient people have used in their lives
consciously or otherwise.
EM has the ability to control harmful bacteria (microbes that produce toxins) and to
attract beneficial bacteria other than those in EM, and activate them. They continuously
produce antioxidants, antibiotics, and soluble nutrients (including minerals) that are
beneficial to human, plants, and animals.
Once these beneficial microorganisms join forces together and start interacting, they
will move in a positive direction based on instinct.
EM COMPOSITION:
Photosynthetic Bacteria
Photosynthetic bacteria have a long record of existence and are believed to have
lived 3.5 billion years ago. Since the earth came into existence 4.6 billion years ago,
photosynthetic bacteria are the oldest creatures living up to now. It is also believed that only
photosynthetic bacteria were able to use radiant energy during the ancient times.
Photosynthetic bacteria absorbed non-organic elements like carbon dioxide and hydrogen
that covered the earth during that time, and discharged organic elements and carbonic acid.
Human existence including animals and plants owes to these organic compounds and oxygen
produced by the photosynthetic bacteria. At present, we cannot find
photosynthetic bacteria everywhere as it used to be during the ancient
times. But we can find it in the rice paddy as it provides an environment
wherein aerobic bacteria, the senior microorganism in the world of EM,
and the anaerobic bacteria to live together symbiotically.
Yeast
Yeast refers to the “source of fermentation” which is an essential component in
making wines and bread. The yeast was discovered by Anthony van
Leeuwenhoek (1632 – 1723), a Dutch trader who introduced the world
of microorganism and amazed the people during the time. In taxonomy,
yeast is a species of Eumycetes (fungi), which is distinct since it is a
single-celled organism unlike most other fungi which are multi-cellular.
It is a minority group in the world of microorganisms but are very
essential to human life.
Lactic Acid Bacteria
In taxonomy, lactic acid bacteria belong to the Bacillus family and are
microorganisms that convert sugar into lactic acid (lactic acid fermentation). A special
characteristic of these bacteria is that they can live fairly well and co-exist with other bacteria.
Since the time of its discovery by Louis Pasteur in 1857, it has attracted attention as being the
bacteria that had the best effect on human health. Researches have
shown that these have beneficial effect in immuno-stimulatory
activities, antitumor, antimutagenicity, reducing serum cholesterol and
hypertension. It knocks out harmful bacteria and helps increase the
good ones by assuming the character of Dirty Harry in the world of
EM.
Actinomycetes
These are also called radial bacteria and they reproduce from the center point into a
radial pattern, as the name suggests. It looks like fungi, at a glance, but it can be easily
distinguished since threads are only 1 μm in diameter. Actinomycete is
represented by family of Streptomyces which produces antibiotics such
as streptomycin. Among the 5000 types of antibiotics that have been
discovered, more than two-thirds are produced by the family of
Streptomyces.
Actinomycetes can be found abundantly in the soil and they produce biologically
active agents such as antibiotics which other bacteria do not produce.
Filamentous bacteria
This refers to fungi, which we often encounter in our lives. In taxonomy, it belongs
to the Eumycetes which is also a family of fungi; it produces lots of bacterial threads and
spores. We usually have negative impression of fungi; however, there are
also beneficial fungi such as Aspergillus glaucus which is essential in
manufacturing dried bonito stock. In the world of EM, they are hard
working creatures like yeast, producing various biologically active agents
such as amino acids and polysaccharides. Filamentous bacteria also
provide food that is suited to enhance function of yeast.
