Enzyme 42

Enzyme 42 is an enzyme found in almost every life form on Planet 4546B but is only produced by the Sea Emperor Leviathan and Sea Emperor Juveniles. It is the only known cure for the Carar Bacterium. The Precursors were investigating how to produce a cure using Enzyme 42. Peepers using the Alien Vent carry small amounts of the enzyme, having contracted it from the captive Sea Emperor Leviathan, distributing it throughout the planet.

The Sea Emperor Leviathan occasionally releases Enzyme 42 as a cloud whilst it swims around the aquarium, while the Juveniles release it as a solid ball of concentrated Enzyme 42. This may reflect the unstable nature of the captive's Enzyme.

Trivia

 * The name may be a reference to Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where 42 is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. This could be due to the fact that Enzyme 42 is the cure to a fatal illness, the Carar Bacterium, thus making it the answer to life.