| Marukyu's R&D Laboratory is conducting basic studies on the decomposition process of Marukyu's fishing bait in nature, namely in the ocean, rivers and lakes. It is part of our efforts for developing bait that will naturally recycle itself and that is suited to this environment-conscious century.
The ocean is inhabited by fish and shellfish, as well as nearly 4,000 species of large adhering organisms, such as various seaweeds, barnacles and common blue mussels, which are visible to the naked eye. In addition to these, there are about one million per cubic meter of microorganisms, which are not visible to the naked eye, yet are living in the ocean.
Seawater contains breakdown enzymes capable of decomposing proteins and fats, such as from the dead bodies of fish, shellfish and Plankton. Such materials serve as purifiers of the seawater by becoming food for the plankton and small marine life or as fertilizer for seaweed. Also, over one hundred types of minute minerals that exist in seawater, play the role of coenzymes.
The photographs (1) to (4), shown below, show the progress of a decomposition test on Marukyu's "Chinu-Power" conducted at a shore location, where ocean fishing often takes place.
The yeast and roasted rice bran mixed in with the Chinu-Power are quickly broken up and cannot be observed even on the first day. The remaining rolled barley is also eaten by microorganisms and other small organisms, and is no longer observable on the 14th day. This indicates that Chinu-Power is decomposed by microorganisms and other small organisms in seawater, even though it is not eaten by fish.
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| (1)Start of testing (before decomposition): Chinu-Power, prepared in a golfball shape, is placed in a protective metal net and then set on the seabed of a fishing spot. |
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(2)1st day of testing: Most of the Chinu-Power has decomposed, but the rolled barley retains its form. |
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(3)5th day of testing: The remaining rolled barley is fairly decomposed and as soft as gruel. |
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(4)10th day of testing: The gruel-like rolled barley partially remains. This rolled barley has also been completely dissolved by the 14th day. |
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| (1)x40:A small fissure can be observed on the surface of the rolled barley. |
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(2)x40: The number of fissures on the surface of the rolled barley has increased. |
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(3)x40: The fissures on the surface of the rolled barley have grown larger and the rolled barley has shrunk, with the periphery decomposed. |
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(4)x40: The albumen of the rolled barley has nearly gone through decomposition. |
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| (1)x500: A large number of round starch particles can be observed in a small fissure. |
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(2)x500: Cells of the rolled barley are decomposing and the starch particles can be observed exiting from the cells. |
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(3)x500: The decomposition of the cells and the starch particles is progressing. |
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(4)x500: The decomposition of the cells and the starch particles is further progressing. |
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| Commentary on the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) photographs
The degradability of the rolled barley in the fishing bait in seawater:
As a result of the SEM observations of seawater-immersed samples (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th days), it was found that the decomposition of the rolled barley begins with the decomposition of the surface layer of the albumen and then proceeds to the decomposition of the starch particles inside. The decomposition of the surface layer of the albumen progressed at a regular rate. The SEM photographs indicate that the decomposition of the surface layer of the albumen starts two to three days after the immersion of the samples in seawater. With the decomposition of the surface layer, the starch particles inside are exposed and decompose gradually. By the 7th to the 10th day, most of the starch particles inside were seen to have decomposed.
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