What is EM?

EM is originally the abbreviation of Effective Microorganisms but now we stipulate it as a specific technology developed by Dr.Teruo Higa.

The home page of EM Research Organization,Inc says,

EM™ is an acronym coined by its developer, Dr. Teruo Higa, consisting of the initial letters of "Effective Microorganisms™". As a commercial product, it is marketed and sold as "EM•1®" by our authorized licensees around the globe.

EM•1® is a liquid containing many co-existing microorganisms. The major groups of microorganisms in EM•1® are lactic acid bacteria, yeast and phototrophic bacteria. EM™ was first developed in 1982 as an alternative to chemicals in the field of agriculture. Through extensive research and experiments over time, EM™ became recognized as effective in various fields, including environmental remediation, composting organic waste, reducing odor in livestock operations, treating wastewater and many more. We call the technology that utilizes EM•1®, EM Technology™.

Who is Dr. Higa?

Teruo Higa. Born in Okinawa Prefecture in 1941. The developer of EM®. Professor Emeritus of The University of the Ryukyus. Professor of Meio University and head of the International Institute for EM Technology. President of Asia-Pacific Natural Agriculture Network (APNAN), Director of International Nature Farming Research Center (INFRC), Director of Earth Environment and Co-Existence Network-NPO, Chairman of Evaluation Committee for the National contest of Flowers in City Development and Constructions. (Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport-advocated project).

Major publications: An Earth Saving Revolution vol 1 & 2 and Our Future Reborn (Sun Mark Publishing), EM Medical Revolution and New Century-EM Environmental Revolution (Sogo Unicom Publishing), Use of Microorganisms in Agriculture & Their Positive Effects on Environmental Safety (Nobunkyo Publishing) and others.

What kind of microbes are found in EM•1®?

There are 3 major genre of microorganisms ie: Lactic Acid Bacteria, Yeast and Photosynthetic Bacteria plus whatever can survive in the condition of pH 3.5 or below. We estimate 80~120 kinds of effective microorganisms will be found in EM•1®.

Home page of EM Research Organization, Inc describes in detail as follows.

Microorganisms in EM•1®
When mentioning the word microorganism or bacteria, one may imagine harmful germs. However the microorganisms used in EM•1® production (Lactic Acid Bacteria, Yeast, Phototrophic Bacteria) exclude any pathogenic and genetically modified microorganisms that are harmful to humans, animals and plants. EM•1® consists only of safe microorganisms that have been used, either intentionally or unintentionally, since ancient times.

Lactic Acid Bacteria

Lactic acid bacteria is, taxonomically, a generic term for bacteria that convert large amounts of sugars into lactic acid through lactic acid fermentation. Through the production of lactic acid, lactic acid bacteria also inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and other various microorganisms by lowering the pH. Lactic acid bacteria are widely known in the production of fermented foods such as cheese and yogurt that can be naturally preserved for a long period of time. Ever since Louis Pasteur discovered lactic acid bacteria in 1857, it has been noted for its beneficial effects on health and longevity. Recent research indicates that besides regulating the intestines, lactic acid bacteria also are known for being involved in immunostimulatory activity; having antioncotic properties; their antimutagenicity; lowering cholesterol; and for having a hypotensive effect.

Yeast

Known as a fermentation starter, yeast is a microorganism necessary for the brewing of alcohol and the making of bread. Yeast was discovered by the Dutch merchant Antony Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), who first discovered the world of microorganisms. Taxonomically, yeast is a eukaryotic. It differs from fungus in that it generally is unicellular throughout its life. Within the microbial world it is a small group of microorganisms, yet it is essential for human life. Yeast live in sugar-rich environments such as in nectar and the surface of fruits. In EM•1®, yeast produces many biologically active agents such as amino acids and polysaccharides.

Phototrophic Bacteria

Phototrophic bacteria (also known as photosynthetic bacteria) are an ancient type of bacteria in existence from before the Earth had its present concentration of oxygen. As its name indicates, these bacteria utilize solar energy to metabolize organic and inorganic substances. Phototrophic bacteria exist in rice fields and lakes, and everywhere on Earth. In practical terms, the potential of phototrophic bacteria is particularly seen in the environmental fields. Because it decomposes organic materials well, among these applications is its use in wastewater treatment. Research has also reported on its effectiveness in applied use in agriculture, aquaculture, and animal husbandry. Research is also underway in its use in hydrogen production and its ability to decompose persistent substances. Phototrophic bacteria are involved in various metabolic systems, and play a major role in nitrogen cycling and carbon cycling. Because this role allows the other microorganisms in EM•1® to co-exist, phototrophic bacteria are the essential element of EM•1®.

Is EM safe?

Since EM® was introduced into the market in 1982 we have never heard any negative report on the safety of EM®. EM® consists of only naturally occurring beneficial and effective microorganisms and they are not genetically engineered as well. pH of EM•1® is always maintained at 3.5 or below, where no pathogenic bacteria is allowed to survive. Low pH of EM•1® is caused by Lactic acid produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria. As such, when EMAS is produced you are advised to keep pH of EMAS below pH 3.5 because of the same reason.

Numerous tests have been done worldwide proving EM•1® is not toxic and in Malaysia Department of Agriculture and other institute conducted such tests as well. UTM (University Technology Malaysia) has conducted a toxicity test and its detail is illustrated below.

Many kinds of microbes in EM•1® are used in the food industry for fermented food production such as Cheese, Yogurt, Butter, Bread, Natto, Sausage, Soy Sauce, Ham, Vinegar, Miso paste, Wine, Sake, Kimchi, Tempe, Tapai, Budu,Balacan, Cencalok, Tempoyak, Kicap, Nam Pla,Nuoc Mam,Nata De Coco etc. Eating such foods is the same as if eating medicines.

> MSDS (Material Safety Sheet Data) for EM•1®
> Test of EM toxicity to Chicken
> Aquatic Toxicity Testing Results for EM Waste Treatment Product - A Two-Species Chronic Definitive Bioassay
> Report on Acute Toxicity Study by Using Single Administration Using Mice (HKK No.4123)
> Report on Toxicity Study by Continuous Oral Administration Using Mice (HKK No.4124)
> Report on Toxicity Test by using Oryzias latipes (Japanese)　　　　　　
　　　　

Is there any possibility for EM to mutate?

We have been using beneficial microorganisms in the past few thousands years for food production such as yoghurt, cheese etc as stated at "Is EM safe?" question and yet no reports on the mutation of effective microorganisms was heard so far. 

Is it true that the seed of EM is brought from Japan and cultured in Malaysia?

No. Seeds of EM® are also cultured in Malaysia from 100 % locally available materials and EM•1® is cultured from them. Therefore our EM•1® is called "Bacteria Bumiputra". There are many microbial products in the markets including "Enzyme" which are imported from overseas without proper quarantines and we believe ours is the only one in Malaysia which is locally cultured.

Some people claim that "Garbage Enzyme" is the same with "EM•1®".

It is absolutely untrue. "Garbage Enzyme" is produced from "garbage" by mixing leftover of vegetables and fruits, water and sugar. Fermentation will occur by microbes which happen to attach to those materials and therefore it takes as long as 3 months and there is no guarantee for successful results. We understand quite high percentage of trials are spoiled.

Final product of "Garbage Enzyme" is "vinegar" mainly occupied by acetic acid producing microbes. We understand that vinegar is good for mopping the floor, eliminating foul odor and washing dishes. Application to agricultural industry would be possible as well.

However, some certain promoters of "Garbage Enzyme" insist that function of "Garbage Enzyme" is exactly the same with EM•1® and even call their Enzyme as EM® or EM•1®. As already discussed at "Intellectual Property Right" such words like "EM" and "EM•1" are already registered in USA and world wide registration is going on now and therefore those "Garbage Enzyme" promoters are urged to stop calling their product as "EM" and/or "EM•1".

Effective application of "Garbage Enzyme" is limited as described above, however, they believe as if "Garbage Enzyme" can clean the water as EM® can do and even produce Mud balls and call them as "EM Mud Balls".

The motivation of those people is to clean the environment through recycling the leftover of garbage, which we can agree to share such philosophy. But if we use EM Technology® we can easily ferment such leftovers by mixing them with other organic waste as feed/fertilizer 2 weeks later. We do not need to wait for 3 months for fermentation of garbage as "Garbage Enzyme" promoters are practicing (see EM Instructor).

With EM Technology® we can ferment such materials as grass, leftover of vegetables/fruits in the water by mixing EM® and molasses. We call it as "Fermented Plant Extract (FPE) " and use it as natural pesticide. Again it takes only 2 weeks for us to use.

"Garbage Enzyme" can not treat other type of organic wastes such as rice, bread and meat etc. They throw away those wastes to the landfill. With EM Technology® we can recycle them as feed/fertilizer within 2 weeks. This is because "Garbage Enzyme" is unable to start fermentation of solid wastes.

As such, there is a big difference between EM Technology® and "Garbage Enzyme". However the "Garbage Enzyme" promoters make fundamental misunderstanding on the effect of their product. This is because they do not have any scientific evaluation and support of the "Garbage Enzyme".

Having said so, we know that there are many innocent followers to "Garbage Enzyme" promoters and we would like to help them overcome the fundamental problems with their process. After they have fixed everything as what they do, they only have to add 3~5 % of EM•1. They usually add sugar by 10 % against the quantity of water but in this case they can reduce to 3~5 % as well. After everything is well mixed they can close the cap and leave it for 1~2 weeks. Once pH is down to 3.5 or below they can start using it. This time, they are encouraged to pour into water channels and make mud balls. This new type of "Garbage Enzyme" (Or we call it as "Fermented Plant Extract") can start fermentation of organic wastes.

What is the shelf life of EM•1®?

We can keep it for 6 months if cap is not open. However once the cap is open please consume it quickly.

How many countries are using EM®?

Since EM Technology® was invented it has been introduced to more than 150 countries. There are 61 EM•1 production centre worldwide including Malaysia.

Unfortunately Malaysia is one of the last countries in the world which started using EM®. Therefore it is sad to say that we do not have much case studies even now compared with other countries.

In November 2005 when we were in Okinawa attending the EM Festa a fax was sent to us from the distributor of EM•1 in South Africa. The fax said that Tun Dr.Mahadhir, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, was in the Kingdom of Lesotho as a keynote speaker for "Smart Partnership Conference". During his stay there he heard many Ministers of the Kingdom of Lesotho talking about the marvelous effect of "EM" ,which he never heard of, and decided to buy 50 L of EM•1® from there to bring home. In fact, we had already started producing EM•1® but at that time its name value was too poor.

How many times we can multiply EM•1® to produce EMAS?

We know that there are many people who multiply EM•1 more than 2 times hoping to reduce his cost to produce EMAS, however you are advised to multiply EM•1 only once. This is because there are more than 80 kinds of microorganisms in EM•1 and each of them has different speed of multiplication.

For example, Phototrophic Bacteria will multiply usually once in 1~2 hours or even once in 24 hours subject to conditions. On the other hand, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Yeast and Natto Bacteria etc will multiply once in 15~20 minutes, in the case of Actinomycetes 30~40 minutes and a lot of difference will be observed subject to pH, temperature and quality of water.

Therefore if we multiply it more than 2 times the balance of the microorganisms in EMAS will be off and it will be less effective.

How are the activities in Japan?

As the home country of EM Technology® Japan is most advanced in terms of EM® application method. For example, more than 3,000 schools are using EM® for cleaning swimming pools & toilets, recycling kitchen wastes to fertilizers for gardening. Many students are engaged with environmental protection exercises such as river/ocean cleaning at their locations.

There are more than 100 NPOs which are specially established for dissemination of EM Technology® and more than 1,000 unregistered bodies are promoting EM Technology®. In total we estimate about 10 % Japanese are using EM® at very regular basis.

Which country is producing EM•1® most?

Thailand is the largest producer of EM•1 at the moment by producing about 90 tons a month. In Thailand "Asia Pacific Nature Agriculture Network" (APNAN) is established for promoting EM Technology® in this region and offer regular workshop at 200-acre training centre at Sara Buri, Thailand.

Some people claim that EM® does not work.

There are many people who claim that EM® does not work without using/testing it by themselves.Their claims are usually based on their theoretical reasons and such people are sometimes unable to understand even how both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria can coexist in EM•1®.

If genuine users of EM•1 find his EM® less effective as expected it will be because;

Quality of EM•1/EMAS used was wrong

Quantity of EM•1/EMAS used was too little

Period of application was too short

Period of application was sporadic and not continuous

Microorganisms are live forms and therefore if their living condition is unfavorable they will not work properly. When we produce Tempe or Tapai some people can make them very good but some other people can not. This is exactly because of the same reason and we can not blame microbes themselves.

In fact, we believe that as long as we follow the basic application method of EM Technology we will rarely fail to achieve a good result. In this sense we should find more cases of failures so that we will not repeat the same mistakes.

At some poultry farm no matter how many times we explained to the workers to keep the bottle of EM/EMAS airtight to maintain a good condition they never followed and spoiled EM/EMAS. They were always complaining that our EM was bad !

This is also applied to vegetables/fruits production. Each farm land has totally different conditions such as weather, fertilizer/pesticide applications etc and therefore same method of EM application many not achieve the same result. Those people who claim that their EM® did not work treated EM® as if it was fertilizers/pesticides. Or their EM® and/or EMAS quality was wrong.

If we have a problem of poor result in spite of EM® application Dr.Higa insists to use EM® until it is effective. Therefore he has no failure! In any case if EM® does not work it would be impossible for it to be spread to more than 150 countries.

As such, please understand that our role is to provide EM® with good working environment to achieve the optimum result.

Since no pathogenic bacteria is found in EM•1®, can we drink it?

There are many reports from those who consumed EM•1® and cured their diseases. Recently in Singapore one lady cured her leukemia successfully in less than 1 month by consuming just 2 L of EM•1®, however we declare in the label of our EM•1® that it is not for human consumption. This is because we do not know if consumers take care of EM® properly or not. Microorganisms in EM•1® are live forms and if their living condition is bad they may die. If we drink it after all the microorganisms in the bottle die we will surely suffer severe diarrhea.

Some people claim as if EM•1® can be taken only by animals but this comment is extremely misleading, because people may feel as if drinking EM•1® is risky for us.

If we can let animals drink EM•1® why we can not drink it ? Whatever is good for human should be good for animals as well and vice versa. EM•1® is safe enough so that we can even drink it, however as mentioned above, we are not sure if all the consumers can take care of EM•1® properly or not and therefore we have no choice but to declare that EM•1® is not for human consumption.

As such, we can not be responsible for any possible problems arising from consuming EM•1® and those who do wish to consume it please do so under your own responsibility.

What are the key words of EM Technology®?

Anti-oxidation
It helps prevent deterioration in the quality.

De-Ionization
It stabilizes electrical character, restrains static electricity generation and prevents harmful chemical reactions. Plants will take heavy metals from the soil when they are ionized but if they are not ionized plants are unable to take them anymore.
If pH of water is very high or low heavy metals will float in the water, however they will start sinking once pH of water has become neutral. EM® can adjust pH of water and thus, any environmental problems caused by unbalanced pH of water can be solved.

Magnetic Resonance Waves presumed to be Gravitational Wave
It makes harmful waves such as nuclear radio activities, electromagnetic wave and ultraviolet rays harmless or converts to useful waves. On this fundamental functions of EM® Dr.Higa describes something very interesting stories in his book "Our Future Reborn" (page 19 ~) as follows.

  "The key to EM's effectiveness is its antioxidant effect coupled with magnetic wave resonance. I am sure you have heard about antioxidants. Many processes in our daily lives, including pollution of the environment, illness, corrosion and unexpected machine breakdowns, are the result of oxidation. Everything oxidizes, deteriorates and perishes. Antioxidation is the term used to describe the force that resistant to oxidation. Antioxidants prevent oxidation and can restore something that has been oxidized to its original state.

  There are many different types of substances that have this effect. EM antioxidants include strains of polyphenol, which is found in wine, and the coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) or ubiquinol, an important element in converting cellular energy. Ubiquinone, a precursor of vitamin E, eliminates the effects of severe free radicals from mitochondria. Drinking EM•X® can increase resistance to cancer, and not infrequently those who take it during the initial stages of the disease find that the cancer disappears. It is now becoming widely accepted that cancer is a malfunction caused by oxidation of the DNA.

  From the above, it is not so difficult to grasp the antioxidant effects of EM, but magnetic wave resonance is harder to understand. Basically, magnetism causes wave motions in different substances or object to resonate, activating those substances. This results in some strange phenomena. To give a concrete example, when magnetic wave resonance occurs, the water in a polluted pond will become so clear you can see the bottom. Tomato plants, which normally do not survive the winter, continue to bear fruits despite the snow, while gardenias, which would normally shed their leaves and wither leaving only a stump, bloom right through winter.

  When different frequencies are exposed to magnetic wave resonance, they are drawn irresistibly to the same frequency, becoming the same type of energy. In other words, vector conversion occurs. Consequently, even radioactive substances will will cease producing harmful radiation when exposed to EM's magnetic wave resonance, and we are now using EM to counteract radioactivity in Chernobyl. EM's ability to mitigate the damaging effects of radioactive substances was discovered three years ago, but recently we found that it also reduces radioactivity. After one year of continuous EM use, radioactivity in a contaminated are had decreased by 15 %.

  Like radiation and drastic temperature changes, earthquakes are a powerful form of energy. Through magnetic wave resonance, materials containing EM tune in to seismic wave motion and resonate at a frequency that makes them quake-resistant. A restaurant in Takarazuka City in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, was predominantly constructed with EM building materials. Although the neighbourhood where it is located was heavily damaged during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the only damages to the restaurant was one broken pane of glass. Not even the dish cupboards fell over, despite the fact that building was constructed on pillars over a first-floor area, a design highly vulnerable to earthquake damages. I have received many reports of this nature in the last few years.

  Using EM or EM•X ceramics cumulatively increases antioxidants and strengthens wave resonance. When the cumulative effects of this process reach a certain point, the overall environment is dramatically improved. In crop cultivation, for example, uniform growth occurs throughout the field with no discrepancies between the center and the edges. Likewise, magnetic wave resonance in fruit trees results in fruit of uniform color and size on every part of the tree. This kind of uniformity is a sign that the crops or fruit are resonating in tune with each other, while unevenness in growth indicates a lack of resonance. "

Further, in his essay "Living A Dream" he states that

  The essential effects of EM™ are brought about by a revitalizing phenomenon (syntropy), that is the compound function of three elements resulting from the actions of EM enzymes: antioxidation, anti-ionization, and the wave vibrations of three-dimensional (3D helical) longitudinal waves that are believed to be gravitational waves. As long as there is a cumulative effect from EM™ enzymes, EM™ will be effective if it is not living, so it is important to continue applying EN Technology™ without being concerned about whether the microbes are alive or not.

  In other words, use EM™ until you see good results, and even after results are seen, continue to use it freely so that its effects will rise to the next level, and the revitalizing phenomenon of syntropy will be found in every possible area. Adding EM•1® to concrete and paint, for instance, will fix the catalytic effects of enzymes; in a building such as the EM Wellness Center's Hotel Costa Vista, an old, decaying building can be completely revitalized. Revitalizing effects are further strengthened when EM™ is used in daily cleaning and around sink areas, and semi-permanent effects can be obtained. Compared to three and half years ago, the revitalizing effects are even more evident, surprising people who haven't visited the hotel for a few years. Therefore, from the viewpoint of the principles of applying EM™, it is a fundamental mistake to believe that one shouldn't use EM•1® in cold temperatures because the microbes won't multiple. It is vital to continue to use EM•1® in all seasons and no matter what the level of humidity may be."

If we keep spraying EM into rivers/ponds/ocean the water will become too acidic and harm the environment, since pH of EM is only 3.5 or below?

The quantity of EM applied to the water at river/ponds/ocean for remediation is very little compared with the total quantity of the body of water there.

For example, please have a look at the case of Sg.Perlis ("About EM">"Download Data">"Environmental Protection">"Improvement of Water Quality at Perlis River with EM Bio Technology"). The place we operated was about 10 km upstream from the river mouth with a width 15 m and depth 2 m at the time of high tide.

We applied only 1 ton of EM Activated Solution ("EMAS") a day for 60 days (in total 60 tons) and 100,000 EM mud balls to the area of some 10,000 ㎡. We do not know the exact quantity of water flow of this river but it would be much more than 1.5 million tons a day even without any rainfall. As such, our application of EM to the nature is very little and does not impact the pH of the water at all. For your information if we mix 1 L of EM (pH 3.5 or below) with 1,000 L of water pH will become 6.8. Therefore you do not feel worried at all with such a question. The result of our operation was satisfactory enough to convince all the parties involved. This river used to be classifies as "Class III" but 1.5 months after our operation started it jumped to "Class I" !

Contrary to that kind of speculation, EM is capable enough to adjust high or low pH to neutral without much difficulty. A few years ago Dr.Higa was invited to visit Kota Kinabalu to meet the Minister of Environment to discuss on the problem at Mamut Mine project site.

Their problems are the very classical ones and you can find something similar at anywhere in the world. The water in the pit is full of heavy metals and pH is only 2.8. As the pit is already full of water they have no choice but to release a part of it to the river slowly. To solve this problem we usually apply some materials with high pH but its cost would be astronomical and it is not the fundamental solution at all. To the question from the press "How much are you sure to solve the problems ?" Dr Higa replied " I am 200 % sure to solve the problem with EM within 6 ~ 12 months."

In addition to solving this existing water problems in the pit we have to do something with the Acid Mine Drainage itself, otherwise same problem will continue forever. It is similar to river/pond/ocean pollution. We have to do something at the source of the pollution as sustainable environmental protection and we strongly believe that only bioremediation would be the answer.

How we can clean large rivers such as Klang River/Selangor River with EM ?

In order for us to clean such large rivers with many different sources of pollution we should apply EM to those source of pollution. It does not make any sense for us to apply EM direct to the rivers without taking care of the sources. Please visit " About EM" > "Download Data" > "Environmental Protection" > " River cleaning" > " Our Proposal For Klang River Purification" for detail.

After I multiply EM1 and produce EMAS (EM Activated Solution) can I bottle it and sell with my own brand name ?

Absolutely NO. We opened the method to multiply EM1 to produce EMAS already. We always encourage EM users to reduce the cost of EM by multiplying EM1. EMAS is EMAS and it is not your product. Moreover, we advise EM users to use EMAS within 1 month but if you bottle it for sale with your own brand name chances are that the bottle of EMAS may be on the shelf for a long time and as a consequence EMAS in this bottle will be much less effective. Above is a photo of one of such products sold in the market.