The enzymic treatment of waste materials

The use of enzymes in biotechnological processes is part of a long and established tradition. In some cases this has involved the specific extraction of an enzyme, e.g. calf chymosin for cheese making, whereas in other applications the activity of endogenous enzymes has been utilized in situ, e.g. the malting of barley. The utilization of enzymes for waste processing is a relatively recent development and has grown out of the increasing demands, both economic and environmental, for acceptable methods for the disposal or recycling of these materials. In most countries the disposal of wastes is strictly regulated and is likely to incur some form of taxation.