Types of enzymes
- Lipase—to break down fats and greases.
- Protease—to break down proteins.
- Cellulase—to break down cellulose.
- Amylase—to break down starches and carbohydrates.
Naturally based or manufactured enzymes?
The best type of enzyme for pool water are those made from a natural fermentation process that results in broad spectrum and naturally balanced-based enzymes, as they serve to rapidly break down non-living organic material. Non-living organic material can be things like soaps, sweat, lotions, and pollen. There are also manufactured formulas which tend to have higher concentrations of smaller amounts of unbalanced, enzymes that can be unstable and break down each other—even in the container. Manufactured enzyme products may be less effective on the broad range of non-living organics commonly found in pool water.
The wonder hidden within the shell of crustaceans
In the late ’70s, nearly six- to eight-million tons of waste, from the processing of crustacean shells, was being dumped into bays and landfills annually. This was primarily from seafood processors from Seattle to Alaska. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stepped in and deemed the shell waste a pollutant and ordered seafood processors to find a more useful way to dispose of it. As a result, a team of research scientists were brought in to solve the problem and they discovered that within the shell of crustaceans (e.g. like crab, shrimp, and lobster) was something very similar to cellulose from plants. Chitin, a long-chain polymer derived from glucose, which is also found in the cell walls of fungi like mushrooms, gives the armour plating to the shell of crustaceans. Through a simple process, researchers found they could create a highly effective formulation of chitosan.
Chitosan defined
Chitosan is a naturally based, biodegradable biopolymer. It acts as a cationic (positively charged) polyelectrolyte. As a result, the molecule is an extremely long straight chain with high molecular weight and dense electrical charges.
It has been used throughout history for many things, including the varnish for Stradivarius violins, burn-wound bandages, contact lenses, and for clarifying beer and wine during the brewing process. More recently, chitosan has been used as a dietary supplement source of fibre and for weight loss. Chitosan is effective at grabbing fats and oils in the digestive system and removing them to waste before the body absorbs them.
Chitosan in water
Chitosan is a long-chain polymer with strong positive-charged hooks along the chain. It is because of this structure that chitosan is such an effective flocculant. Most micron-sized suspended particles in water have a negative charge. The chitosan molecule sweeps the smaller micron materials and causes them to become filterable and easily removed from the water.
Chitosan in pool water
Chitosan in a liquid or dry form can be used as a powerful water clarifier. There are also two things that make chitosan different from the synthetic clarifiers that are currently available. First, most synthetic formulas contain some petroleum (i.e. oil) which gathers dirt and non-living organics, but can lead to clogged filters and unsightly scum lines. The unique structure of a chitosan clarifier has the ability to not only gather, but also completely remove non-living organics and hydrocarbons.
