Photosynthetic Bacteria (PSB) Solution

Photosynthetic Bacteria (PSB) Solution

 

PSB Solution is a microbial inoculant that you can use in your farm or garden similar to EMAS or JMS.  PSB are a group of beneficial bacteria that degrades contaminants in water and soil.  They are generally anaerobic and is believed to have built the world we live in today.  They are known to occur in water columns (Sergei Winogradsky water column) in rice fields, waste water environments, and aquatic sediments.  PSB plays an important role in the circulation of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.

Ingredients

1.  Egg (or Fish Sauce, Soy Sauce, or any Sulfur-rich material)

2.  Egg shell (as source for Calcium Carbonate and Cellulose) or you can use Agri Lime as source for Calcium Carbonate and Paper as source for Cellulose

3.  Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - this is the Sodium salt of Glutamic acid arising from the fermentation of Glucose via the action of Corynebacterium Glutamicum.  It is one of the most naturally occuring amino acids.

4.  Pond water (or River Water as source or inoculant of the PSB bacteria); preferably, get the bottom water of the pond as the Purple Non-Sulftur Photosynthetic Bacteria (PNSPSB) thrives in anaerobic condition;

5.  Empty 1 liter Coke bottle (or similar) - 3 pcs

6.  Optional:  Seawater (Prefered - 1 cup) or Natural rock salt (1 tsp);  Do not use Iodized Salt as the Iodine in salt inhibits bacterial reproduction.

Procedure

1.  Crack the egg into a bowl and stir and mix the yoke and albumen; (alternatively, you can use 1 tablespoon of fish sauce or soy sauce and add to around 50ml of water)

2.  Place the egg shell in a plastic bag.  Crush it to smaller pieces and add the crushed pieces to the bowl with stirred egg; (alternatively, you can use 1 tablespoon of Agri Lime and 3x3inches Paper and dissolve it in 50ml of water;

3.  Divide the mixture into 3 parts and add 1 part to 1 liter of Pond water.  Repeat the process till you have filled all 3 liters of Pond water.

4.  Add 1 tsp of MSG to each liter of water.  Cap the bottle and shake the contents.

5.  Place the bottles in the field where it is exposed to sunlight.

6.  The fermentation process will take approximately 30 days.  Visit the bottles every week and shake the bottle.

7.  After thirty days, the mixture should change color to "Purple".  This is now your PSB and is ready for use.

8.  Optional step:  Check under a microscope the presence of any of the Photosynthetic Bacteria.  The most well studied and preferred for tropical climate is the Purple Non-Sulfur Photosynthetic Bacteria.  However, as we now currently from the works of Dr. Elaine Ingham, Dr. David Johnson and Dr. Teruo Higa), the more varied and diverse these beneficial bacteria, the better it is for the environment, soil and agriculture.

Application

• For watering, mix 10 ml of PSB to 1 liter of water
• For foliar application, mix 10ml of PSB to 10 liters of water
• For aquarium (to reduce ammonia and nitrite wastes), mix 25ml of PSB to 10 liters of water
  

 

Types of Photosynthetic Bacteria

1. Cyanobacteria - Color: Green;
   
2. Prochlorophytes
   
3. Green Sulfur Photosynthetic Bacteria (Chloro biacae) - Green; uses reduced sulfur species as electron donor;
   
4. Green Non-Sulfur Photosynthetic Bacteria (Chloroflexi) - Green, filamenous
   
5. Purple Sulfur Photosynthetic Bacteria (Chromatiales)- Purple, gram-negative, short rods, uses sulfide and sulfur as electron donor
   
6. Purple Non-Sulfur Photosynthetic Bacteria (Rhodospirillaceae; Rhodobacter Sphaeroides; Rhodobacter capsulatus; Rhodopseudomonas) - Purple; gram-negative; rod-shape whose length can vary; eye-catching and easily identifiable; uses hydrogen gas as electron donor; preferred for tropical environment;  

 Cyanobacteria

 

Prochlorophytes

 

 Green Sulfur Bacteria

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhodospirillaceae

Rhodopseudomonas

Rhodopseudomonas under Microscope (Screen-capture from Matt Powers' Youtube)

-oOo-

 

Super Simple Procedure 

 

Ingredients:

1. PET Bottle 6 liter water container
2. Eggs - 2 pcs
3. MSG - Ajinomoto - 1 small pack
4. River / Pond water
   
   
   

 Procedure:

1. Gather river / pond water using the 6 liter PET bottle;
2. Beat the 2 eggs;
3. Crush the eggshells and mix it with the beaten eggs;
4. Add the MSG into the beaten eggs and mix it;
5. Add the beaten eggs solution to the river / pond water;
6. Cover the lid and label "PSB date_of_fermentation and date_of_harvest".  The date of harvest is 1 month after the date_of_fermentation;
7. Place the 6 liter PET bottle PSB Solution in the sunny field to ferment;
8. Every week, shake the bottle at least once;
9. After one month, the contents of the PSB will turn from light yellow to purple.  This is now ready for use.  

Note:  PSB smells bad because of sulfur.  The bacteria we have cultured eats sulfur.
 

 

What to expect...

1.  This is the look of PSB on the day of fermentation after the above-mentioned procedure.  (Date of fermentation here is 1 July 2022)  

 

2.  After 7 days, the PSB we prepared looks green.  (Date of photo is 8 July 2022)

The PSB solution has turned milky green after I have shaken the bottle.

3.  After 14 days, the PSB has turn deep red-brown (maroon) color.  (Date of photo is 15 July 2022)

 

 4.  At the time of harvest (after 1 month), the PSB color did not change much from the color observed after 14 days. 

Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LABS)

Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LABS)

(Source: e-TESDA material on Formulating Organic Concoctions and Extracts) 

Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LABS) is an organic concoction made by culturing lactic acid bacteria present in milk. The recommended ratio for LABS is 1-part rice wash 9-parts milk, 10-parts molasses. LABS can be used in soils, animal beddings, and as composting agent. LABS is also useful improving plants’ resistance to diseases. 

 

Ingredients

• 100mL rice wash or hugas bigas 
• 900mL fresh milk 
• 1L molasses or muscovado sugar 

 

Materials

• plastic container or earthen jar 
• Manila paper 
• plastic straw 
• cheesecloth 

 

Procedures

First culture 

1. Pour 100mL rice wash into a container.
   
2. Leave at least 25% of air space in the container. 
3. Cover the container with a Manila paper and then secure it with a plastic straw. 
4. Leave to ferment in a cool, dry place for 5-7 days. 
5. The rice bran should float like a thin film on the surface of the liquid. 
6. Remove the bran in preparation for the second culture. 

Second culture 

1. Add 900mL of milk. 
2. Use a cheesecloth to strain milk clots. 
3. Cover and ferment for 7-10 days. 
4. After 7-10 days, the fat and milk solids will float on the surface, leaving the serum at the bottom. 
5. Remove the fat and milk solids and add them to your compost. 
6. Add equivalent amount of molasses to the mixture. The more you put, the more will be available for the lactic acid bacteria to consume. 
7. Ferment for another 5-7 days. 
8. Transfer to a clean container and store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. 
9. Transfer the mixture into a plastic bottle. Do not seal the cap too tightly because pressure will continue to build up for 2 weeks after harvest. 

 

Application 

Properly stored LABS will last for 6 months if unused. Apply as: 

• as immunity booster for animals Dilute 2 tbsps./20mL for every liter of water.
• as composting agent Dilute 2 tbsps./20mL for every liter of water. 
• as sanitizing agent for soil and beddings in poultry/livestock production Dilute 2 tbsps./20mL for every liter of water.

Oriental Herb Nutrient (OHN)

Oriental Herb Nutrient (OHN)

(Source: e-TESDA material on Formulating Organic Concoctions and Extracts)

Oriental Herb Nutrient or OHN is an organic extract made from plants and herbs. It is used in crop production for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It is also used in pest control. OHN improves the immune system of plants and animals. 

 

Ingredients

• 1 kg garlic 
• 1 kg ginger 
• 400 g Muscovado sugar 
• 4.4 L pure coconut vinegar 
• 200g of red hot chili pepper or sili 
• 100g of makabuhay plant 

 

Materials

• plastic pail with lid/cover 
• wooden ladle
• masking tape
• strainer funnel

 

Procedures

 

First Extraction 

1. Skin the garlic and ginger. 
2. Cut the garlic in halves and slice the ginger into a quarter of an inch. 
3. Mix garlic with 400g muscovado sugar in a plastic pail. 
4. Wipe the rim of the plastic pail and cover with a lid. 
5. Seal with a masking tape on the side. 
6. Label with the name of the product, and the date of first fermentation. 
7. After 3 days, open the cover and add 2.4L of pure coconut vinegar. 
8. Once again, wipe the rim of the plastic pail and cover it with a lid.
9. Seal with a masking tape on the side. 
10. After 10 days, siphon 1L of the mixture into another container. The concoction is now ready for human and animal consumption. 

 

Second Extraction

1. Add 1L of coconut vinegar to the original mixture. 
2. Once again, wipe the rim of the plastic pail and cover it with a lid. 
3. Seal with a masking tape on the side. 
4. After 10 days, siphon 1L of the mixture into another container. The concoction is now ready for animal consumption and as foliar fertilizer. 

 

Third Extraction (OHN2)

1. Add 1L of coconut vinegar to the original mixture. 
2. Add 200g of red hot chili pepper or sili, 100g of makabuhay plant. 
3. Once again, wipe the rim of the plastic pail and cover it with a lid. 
4. Seal with a masking tape on the side. 
5. Strain and transfer the mixture into a plastic bottle. Do not seal the cap too tightly because pressure will continue to build up for 2 weeks after harvest. Use this 3rd extract as a bio-pesticide. 

 

Application 

 

Properly stored OHN will last for 6 months if unused. Apply them as: 

• as natural antibiotic for chicken For every liter of water, add 2 tbsps./20mL of OHN. 
• as bio-pesticide and fungicide for plants For every liter of water, add 2 tbsps./20mL of OHN. Drench/spray onto leaves or soil. as sanitizing agent for beddings

Natural Health Enhancer (3Cs)

Natural Health Enhancer (3Cs)

(Source: e-TESDA material on Formulating Organic Concoctions and Extracts)

 

Ingredients

• 250g celery 250g
• carrots 250g
• cucumber 250g
• muscovado sugar or coco sugar
• salt solution (one-part salt, 4-parts water) 

 

Materials

• vegetable peeler knife and chopping board
• plastic container
• strainer
• funnel 

 

Procedures

1. Soak the celery, carrot, and cucumber in salt solution for 5 minutes. 
2. Wash them and drain for another 5 minutes. 
3. Slice the celery, carrot, and cucumber into the size of an inch. 
4. Layer the ingredients in a container in the following sequence (from bottom to top): carrots, sugar, celery, sugar, cucumber sugar. The total amount of sugar must be divided by 3 for each layer. 
5. Cover and set aside for 7-14 days. 
6. After 7-14 days, strain the mixture and transfer into a bottle. Do not seal the cap too tightly because the pressure will continue to build up for 2 weeks after harvest and this might cause the contents to gush out. 
7. Store in a cool, dry place. 

 

Application

 

Properly stored 3Cs will last for 40 days. Apply as: 

• health drink for humans and animals: Dilute 20mL of 3Cs per 1L of water. 
• foliar fertilizer: Dilute 20mL of 3Cs per 1L of water