Our microbial (bacteria) cultures are "eating machines" whose sole purpose is: to decompose and digest organic matter. All microbes must eat to stay alive. They produce enzymes which break down organic waste into liquids that can be absorbed by the microbes. They convert the absorbed liquids into carbon dioxide and water which are harmless to the environment. Enzymes are actually catalysts which initiate the chemical processes involved in digestion. The microbes are like sponges that absorb organic waste which has been liquefied by enzymes. After a short period of feeding on liquefied waste matter, each microbe subdivides into two identical and fully functional duplicates of the original. This "replication" process will continue as long as an adequate food source exists to fuel the process. Increased microbe count means increased enzymatic activity which results in faster decomposition and digestion of organic waste.