Spore: The inactive/dormant, protected/resistant form that some bacteria can temporarily assume when conditions are not satisfactory for active metabolism and cell reproduction. Dormant bacteria contained in Bio-Snake Blocks.
Bacteria: Any group of diverse, ubiquitous, microscopic single-celled microorganisms. Bacteria are capable of metabolizing a wide variety of organic matter. Released from Bio-Snake Blocks when in the presence of water and organic matter.
Aerobic Bacteria: Bacteria that require the presence of oxygen to live and function.
Anaerobic Bacteria: Bacteria that do not require the presence of oxygen to survive.
Facultative Bacteria: Bacteria that can live and function either in the presence of oxygen or in the absence of oxygen.
Enzyme: Any of various complex organic substances originating from living microorganisms, and capable of producing certain chemical changes in organic substances. Enzymes are the chemical catalysts of living cells. Enzymes are substrate specific: Protease Enzymes breaks down protein; Lipase enzymes break down fat and grease; Amylase enzyme breaks down starch and carbohydrate. Released by Bio-Snake Block’s Bacteria to break down organic matter to be consumed by Bacteria and metabolize to CO2 and H2O.
Bio-Film: A lining of enzymes that forms on the inner walls of a grease trap and the plumbing from the trap. The bio-film forms due to the longer residence times of the Bio-Snake Blocks.
Residence Time: The time that the biologicals exist in the grease trap. Bio-Snake Blocks have a significantly higher residence time due to their permanent presence in the trap and their concentration of biologicals. Allows for the bio-film to form.
Biodegradation: The process by which naturally occurring, non-pathogenic, bacteria, breakdown organic waste.
Bioremediation: The introduction of biological products to organic matter for the purpose of accelerating the process of biodegradation.
*information provided by Fresh Products LLC / Bio-Snake 101
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): represents the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria and other microorganisms while they decompose organic matter under aerobic (oxygen is present) conditions at a specified temperature.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): is a measurement of the oxygen required to oxidate soluble and particulate orgainic matter in water.
Suspended Solids: Suspended solids refer to small solid particles that remain in suspension in water as a colloid (like mixing salt in water the outcome is a cloudy mixture). These particles include Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG), and food solids which accumulate in conventional grease traps and bypass unmaintained grease traps and passing into the drain line which may result in stoppages further down the line. Also, high levels of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG), and food solids are the cause for high (BOD) readings and cause problems for septic and sewage systems. This is why proper grease trap maintenance is very important.
Biologicals: are a diverse group of products derived from naturally occurring microorganisms.
Microorganisms: A microorganism is a living thing that is too small to be seen with the naked eye. Some examples of microorganisms include bacteria, algae, protozoa, and microscopic animals.