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PRODUCTION OF EFFECTIVE
MICROORGANISM USING HALAL-BASED
SOURCES: A REVIEW
M.M.A Abdullah1
1School of Material Engineering
University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia
e-mail: mustafa_albakri@unimap.edu.my
A.H.M. Radzi2, N.A.M. Saleh2, S.Z. Kamal2,
N.D Yaacob2
2School of Bioprocess Engineering
University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia
Abstract Contemporary Malaysia faces rapid population
growth that will increase competition for land and water
resources for industrial use and urban growth. Solutions are
needed to increase agricultural productivity to combat hunger
and poverty. Since the agriculture sector has long been the
backbone of the economy, the nation has found effective
microorganism (EM) technology that has potential use in
developing a sustainable agriculture sector. Malaysia is
recognized as a modern Islamic country; citizens have concerns
regarding halal issues associated with EM ingredients, which are
not clearly mentioned by the manufacturer. Hence, a halal-based
source is suggested in utilization of EM technology. This paper
presents the development and applications of EMs that are not
restricted to the agriculture system.
Keywords: component; effective microorganisms (EM);
agriculture; halal-based source
I. INTRODUCTION
In recent years, concerned about feeding a rapidly
growing human population, Malaysia has jeopardized the
environment and its natural resources, which are already under
great stress. Consequently, off-farm input (e.g., fertilizers,
pesticides) plays an important role in food production.
However, Peter Triantafillou, a lecturer at the Royal
Veterinary and Agricultural University in Denmark, reported
that the intensive pesticide used in Malaysian agriculture has
caused serious public health problems, and it has been heavily
criticized for more than two decades. However, the
government remains committed to the use of these pesticides
as part of its economic development [1]. A recent study by
Shah and Devkota also revealed that pesticide residues had
contaminated soil in the grounds of a nearby school and were
having adverse health effects on local school children [2].
Other factors such as excessive soil erosion, the associated
transport of sediment, and improper treatment of human and
animal waste also has caused serious environmental and social
problems throughout the world. Hence, the public has become
increasingly concerned about possible health hazards due to
serious future uncertainty about water quality. All these
problems need solutions to maintain and possibly enhance
of food for humankind and all forms of life on earth.
Considering such a point of view, the answer may lie in the
widespread use of effective microorganisms (EM). The
concept of effective microorganisms was developed by
Japanese horticulturist Teuro Higa of the University of
Ryukyus in Japan. He reported in the 1970s that a combination
of approximately 80 different microorganisms is capable of
positively influencing decomposing organic matter such that it
reverts to a life-promoting process. His studies have shown
that EM may have a number of applications, including
agriculture, livestock, gardening, landscaping, composting,
bioremediation, cleaning septic tanks, algae control, and
household uses [3].
Successful use of EM depends on suitable formulation
techniques. EM can show better performance if it is mixed
with suitable ingredients that act as nutrients, adhesives, or
wetting agents [4]. Consequently, researchers have shown
considerable interest in the possible use of inoculants of
beneficial microorganisms and organic fertilizer (e.g. animal
manure) in development of agriculture. Hanekon highlighted
the potential of using EM to treat pig manure prior to feeding
it to fish [5]. Thus, predominantly Muslim consumers who are
constrained in handling pig manure are dealing with the
halalness of the product.
Today, Muslim consumers are paying increased attention to
their halalness. This is very good in terms of Islamic practices
and faith. Hence, it has long been a stated goal of the
Malaysian government to establish Malaysia as a global halal
hub for the promotion, distribution, and production of halal
products and services to Muslim countries throughout the
world [6]. According to Mian and Chaudry, if genetic
modifications improve product flavor, color, texture,
composition, etc., but do not alter the way such products are
metabolized by the human body, and are otherwise safe to
consume, there might not be any acceptance problems by
Muslims [7]. In this context, the use of genetically modified
organisms such as EM has raised concerns about their
halalness. To date, no research has been carried out on halal
issues regarding the production of EM.
II. EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISM TECHNOLOGY
Professor Higa, University of Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan,
developed the first batch of effective microorganisms, which
eventually came to called EM, in 1980 [3]. It is available in a
liquid concentrate form and produced through a natural
process of fermentation; it is not chemically synthesized or
genetically engineered. EM is a combination of various
beneficial, naturally occurring microorganisms mostly used
for or found in food. It is produced in vats from cultivation of
more than 80 varieties of microorganisms. The
microorganisms are drawn from 10 genera belonging to 5
different families: Lactobacillus plantarum, L. casei and
Streptoccus lactis (lactic acid bacteria), Rhodopseudomonas
palustrus and Rhodobacter spaeroides (photosynthetic
bacteria), Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis
(yeasts), Streptomyces albus and S. griseus (actinomycetes),
and Aspergillus oryzae, Penicillium sp. and Mucor hiemalis
(fermenting fungi) [8].
Originally, EM was available in a dormant state and
required activation before application. Activation involved the
addition of water and jaggery (molasses) to dormant EM. The
mixture then fermented at ambient temperature for 8 to 10
days. During the period of activation, a white layer of
actinomycetes forms on the top of the solution as does a
pleasant smell. The pH is also a determining factor and should
be below 4.0 [4].
Based on previous research, most of the raw materials of
EM liquid concentrate are not clearly stated and identified
since they have been manufactured by different companies. In
particular, there is no certainty regarding the sources of EM
and their halalness. Considering such a point of view, these
unclear circumstances might give rise to halal questions
among predominantly Muslim consumers. Thus, developing
EM from halal-based sources (e.g., fruits) is suggested rather
than importing EM stock from Japan.
III. APPLICATION OF EFFECTIVE
MICROORGANISM TECHNOLOGY
EM technology involves growing, applying, managing, and
re-establishing high populations of beneficial microorganisms
in an environment or system. The use of effective
microorganism technology has broadened in the last two
decades from agriculture to water treatment, odor control,
animal husbandry, human health, and numerous other
industrial treatments [9].
A. EM in Environmental Management
A major problem facing municipalities throughout the
world is the treatment, disposal and/or recycling of solid
wastes. Solutions using EM developed in Okinawa in the
1970s have been used for environmental management [10]. In
countries such as Australia and many nations of Europe and
Asia -based household and industrial
waste management products are used quite successfully. The
implementation of kitchen composting systems has helped to
manage kitchen waste and generated rich fertilizer, thus
eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers [11]. There is also
investigation into the potential of EM to lower the lipid
content of lipid-rich food debris wastewater [12].
Since clean water resources are crucial to human health and
the natural environment, and play a key role in economic
growth and development, EM technology may help mitigate a
water crisis by purifying water for recycling. EM acts to purify
wastewater by devouring all of its toxins and the stench of
solid waste is eliminated almost immediately. Therefore,
Kurihara described that EM mud balls adopted locally are
emerging as one of the environmental solutions to reduce
water pollutants and thus improve water quality in the rivers
and drains [13]. In addition, EM also has the ability to absorb
toxic gases (e.g., hydrogen sulphide and ammonia) and
convert them into organic acids, thereby eliminating their foul
odor [14]. Thus, the environment of barns and animal hygiene
are both improved. Moreover, after the recent natural disaster
in Asia, the tsunami, EM technology was used very
successfully to mitigate the smells. EM technology proved
effective in odor control and sanitation management.
Composting also has been studied, mostly in treating
municipal sewage sludge and solid wastes. Sprinkling an EM
solution on material accelerates the breakdown of organic
matter and thus requires less time than the natural process of
composting. Use of EM solutions in biofertilizer preparation
also helps to increase the number of beneficial
microorganisms in the soil; this in turn improves the soil's
microbial health and promotes a healthy environment for
plants [15]. In another way, Freitag also highlighted the
introduction of EM into anaerobic treatment facilities to
reduce the unpleasant by-products of the decomposition and
the production of residual sludge [10]. G. Qasim and T. Akbar
also proved that EM has the potential to deoxidize heavy
metals and convert them into organo-metallic compounds,
which are not harmful to human or animal health [16][17]
B. EM in Agriculture
According to EM Research Philippines, chicken or hog
manure is one of the materials used to prepare EM organic
fertilizer [18]. Therefore, animal manure fermented with EM
has high nutrient value and is pathogen-free. Numerous EM
application experiments also have been conducted on various
soils, grain and oil crops, fruit trees and vegetables; when
studied as an additive in poultry and livestock feeds in
Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Henan Provinces, researchers
found that when applied with manure EM can reduce the need
for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which improves a
Research has shown that the inoculation of EM cultures to
the soil/plant ecosystem can improve soil quality, soil health,
and the growth, yield, and quality of crops. EM is used in
agriculture via a number of methods. It is inoculated into the
rhizosphere (around the root) with the intention to regenerate
soil, increase yields, or improve nutrient content of the crop.
Sangakkara has reported that EM application increases the
release of nutrients from organic matter, enhances
photosynthesis and protein activity, and provides for better
penetration of roots by improving physical properties of soils
[19]. Research on papaya in Brazil [20], herbage grasses in
Holland [21] and Austria [22], vegetables in New Zealand and
Sri Lanka [23], and apples in Japan [24] illustrate this
phenomenon clearly.
EM has microbes with an acid-producing nature; they have
the ability to maintain fitness and enhance the digestion,
nutrient absorption, and assimilation abilities of animals when
it is added to feeds and drinking water. Therefore, Li Wei-
Jionge found that EM contains many naturally occurring
beneficial microorganisms, which are both oxybiotic and
anaerobic microbes [25]. After entering the body of animals as
foodstuffs, these microbes may multiply rapidly and they not
only check the growth of pathogenic microbes but also form
the normal microbial group within the host body to produce its
main vitamins, provide nutrients, and prevent attacks from
pathogens. With better-feed utilization and improved animal
well-being, there is a marked improvement in the growth of
animals. In Pakistan, EM also appeared to be a safe growth
promoter for chickens and carried no associated risks when
applied to promote growth and potentiate the immune
response in chickens [26].
In 1990, research on nature farming using EM was started
in Malaysia. Sharifuddin indicated that the use of organic
amendments, particularly chicken dung, with EM can
significantly increase the yield of production of sweet corn
and leaf mustard [27]. Crop residues and animal wastes also
can be effectively composted to produce biofertilizers for
development of agriculture [28][29].
IV. CONCLUSION
Perceiving bacteria as dangerous is now turning toward
greater awareness of the microbial world as a fundamental
element of life. Since the present natural environment is so
deteriorated, more EM technologies are being used in
developing the agriculture and environment sectors. EM finds
fairly wide application in many areas of human society
because of its eco-friendly nature, and it requires less inputs
nature, strengthens the intrinsic power of agricultural soil,
minimizes the loss of energy in recycling of farm products,
suppresses the incidence of insect pests and plant diseases, and
produces more foods that enhance human health. Thus, EM
technology can solve agricultural problems and contribute to
food production and environmental protection in Malaysia.
Halal products are fast gaining worldwide recognition. This
is not merely because the number of Muslims is growing, but
more significantly, because halal is being recognized as a new
benchmark for safety and quality assurance. Producers of EM
need to understand halal-based sources as well as associated
There
is no compromise when it comes to the question of halal for
Muslims, as it is one of the tenets of Islam. Thus, the idea to
develop EM from halal-based sources is quite interesting to
introduce the concept of halal in EM technology to sustain
agriculture and the environment.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This study was funded by King Abdul Aziz City Science
and Technology (KACST). We would like to extend our
appreciation to the Green Concrete @UniMAP and the School
of Material Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis
(UniMAP).
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