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LA SALLE COLLEGE ANTIPOLO

BOKASHI BALLS AS AN EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISM SOLUTION

The Science Project will be presented at the Faculty of La Salle College Antipolo

In Partial Fulfillment of the subject of Biological Science

Joshua Dela Cruz

Jan Antonette A. Endozo

Gabriel S. Antonio

Vincent Anthony C. Mendoza


LA SALLE COLLEGE ANTIPOLO

April 2016

Introduction of the Feasibility

Pollution in the creeks and rivers is one of the biggest problem of environmentalists and NGO’s
are facing. Many creeks, rivers, ponds, and lake are full of garbage and trash because people
nowadays doesn’t tolerate discipline towards them. High percentage of Mercury and other
dangerous chemicals are mostly found in polluted creeks and rivers in which it is very dangerous
to the other organisms that can affect them. And simply fishing out garbage didn't improve the
water quality of the creek. So in order to solve this kind of problem happening to every part of our
country, the researchers investigate or scrutinize the product “Bokashi Balls”. According to the
research, Bokashi Balls are effective microorganisms that refers to any of the predominantly
anaerobic organisms blended in commercial agricultural amendments or for environmental
applications such as for septic tanks. EM technology is purported to support sustainable practices
in farming, improve composting operations, and to reduce environmental pollution.

So the concept of "friendly microorganisms" was developed by Professor Teruo Higa, from the
University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan. He reported in the 1980s that a combination of
approximately 80 different microorganisms is capable of positively influencing decomposing
organic matter such that it reverts into a "life promoting" process. Higa invoked a "dominance
principle" to explain the effects of his "Effective Microorganisms". He claimed that three groups of
microorganisms exist: "positive microorganisms" (regeneration), "negative microorganisms"
(decomposition, degeneration), "opportunist microorganisms". In every medium (soil, water, air,
the human intestine), the ratio of "positive" and "negative" microorganisms is critical, since the
opportunist microorganisms follow the trend to regeneration or degeneration. Therefore, Higa
claimed that it is possible to positively influence the given media by supplementing with "positive"
microorganisms.

Various researchers have examined the use of EM in making organic fertilizers and investigated
the effects of the fermented organic fertilizer on soil fertility and crop growth. The resulting effects
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on crop growth depend upon the organic fraction, direct effects of the introduced microorganisms,
and indirect effects of microbially-synthesized metabolites (e.g., phytohormones and growth
regulators.

The use of EM in the bokashi-intensive composting process for home kitchen waste has been in
use in Christchurch, New Zealand for years, encouraged by the local city council and the regional
council for people with little space.

Due to the fact that only very few studies exist which have used scientific methods to investigate
additives based on EM, any claims made by manufacturers regarding long-term beneficial effects
need to be treated with care.

Hypothesis

Based on the aforementioned problem, the following null hypotheses were formulated:

1) Bokashi balls can clean a river or a creek by just putting it in the surface. It is proven by
the Angono community. These bokashi balls can clean all rivers and creeks. In controlled
experiments, the ability of ‘‘Effective Microorganisms’’ was tested for clearing waters from
cyanobacteria.

2) Bokashi balls are ready to used when the fermentation is done within 7-10 days.

List of Materials

The researcher mixed all of the materials. They needed clay, ceramic powder (optional),
brown sugar or molasses and rocksalt and then infused the mixture with micro-organisms and
it was mixed together.

Identification of Variables
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Independent Variable- The number of days of the effectiveness of the Bokashi balls

Dependent Variable- The effects of Bokashi Balls being put in a polluted river or creek.

Controlled Variable- The number of Bokashi balls in order to clean the polluted creek or river.

Procedure

Before doing the procedure, the researchers should wear gloves and aprons because the said
science project is super messy to make. The researcher mixed all of the materials needed. Then
they formed it into a large balls and left to ferment for several weeks until coated with a fuzzy
white fungus. After that, they test their finish product. They tried to apply in a particular spot of the
rivers in order to figure out if the microorganism solution is an effective treatment for getting rid of
the pollution on the creeks.

Data

The experiment is conducted to prove that Bokashi balls is effective in cleaning water.

Water Results

A The water is little clear

(3 cups of water
from deep well)

B The water is shallow and dark

(3 cups of water
from sewerage)
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Conclusion

This research proved that, the “Bokashi balls can clean water from dirty rivers, dam, dirty creeks,
etc.

Based on the information gathered from the study, it can be concluded that “Bokashi balls” can
clean water that is dark or dirty. It is also concluded that there is a much more significant effect if
the number of “Bokashi balls” are many. Lastly, the water which contained the experimental
“Bokashi balls” did not exhibit any chemical color change, thus the positive hypothesis regarding
any negative side effects on water is accepted.

Recommendations

After mixing the Bokashi balls’ ingredients put it to a safe place and make sure that the area si
dark, the following recommendations are made:

• To clean dirty waters from a dirty river, dirty creek, and etc.

• To utilize egg shells and shrimp shells by different agricultural sectors to provide a more cost-
effective and healthy of way cultivating crops.

• To discover more products to clean dirty types of water.

• To discover more echo friendly products to clean dirty kinds of water.

Bibliography

Effective microorganism. (2016 March, 3). Retrieved from


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_microorganism

Carandang, G. & Gentry, P. (2016). The Conventional Farmer. Retrieved from


http://theunconventionalfarmer.com/natural-techniques/bokashi/
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Ranada, P. (2014, August 6). Taytay creek is water rehab model for Southeast Asia. Rappler.
Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/43222-gerardo-de-leon%E2%80%99s-
lilet-patriarchy-as-nightmare

EM Technology Network. Retrieved from https://www.emwinkel.nl/wp-


content/uploads/2014/05/BokashiBall7Final.pdf

GoodMicrobes.org. How To Make EM Mud Balls. Retrieved from


http://www.goodmicrobes.org/how-to/mudballs/howtomakemudballs.html

Leslie, J. (2008). Making Bokashi. Retrieved from http://www.the-compost-


gardener.com/bokashi.html

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