Key benefits of Probiotics for the Consumer
- Long lasting cleanliness
The beneficial bacteria in probiotic cleaners permeate the pores of the surface, continuing to degrade organic build-up. Reducing the frequency of cleaning and water consumption. - Health and safety
Our probiotic cleaners are non-hazardous, presenting minimal occupational and exposure risks to people, pets or the environment. - Asset preservation
Probiotic cleaners are non-corrosive and do not require frequent abrasive action. They do not lead to long term damage of surfaces and appliances in which they are applied. - Social responsibility
Unlike traditional biocides, probiotic cleaners will not contribute to the emergence of superbugs, which pose a significant threat to human health.
Safety of Probiotics
- Inherent safety
Even in the 100% concentrate form, Bacillus spores are not classified as hazardous under CLP or TSCA, etc. There are therefore no limits to the amount of spores that can be put into a formula and potentially still deliver a label free product - No hidden effects like chemicals
Use of very reactive materials and chemistries can cause problems post formulation or application and there is an increasing concern around the chemicals we keep at home
Environmental / life cycle benefits
- Biodegradation/environmental toxicity
It is not technically possible to do a biodegradation test on bacteria, but if it were they would be 100% biodegradable as they come from nature and return to nature. - Life cycle of Bacillus spores- simplistic view
The biggest input in Bacillus production are from sustainable sources (e.g. plants) There are only two energy intensive processes in our production: sterilisation of the fermenter and the medium (121°C for 20 minutes) and then spray drying of the concentrate (very high temperatures but very short contact time)
How probiotics work
We know that many soils in a commercial environments are biologically based: food, drinks, etc.
These are often large molecules, like proteins, or carbohydrates which are difficult for surfactants to lift from the matrix in a short timescale.
Many laundry, dish wash and stain removal products contain significant amounts of free enzymes, mostly proteases and amylases to aid the removal of starch and protein based stains. Bacillus spores can operate as mini enzyme factories, delivering these types of enzymes directly to the soiling source and without the issues of sensitisation by inhalation. Bacillus will continue to work until all the available food has been used up and will then revert to the spore form and sit in the matrix until more food comes along. Thus Bacillus based formulae can give long term cleanliness and activity between product applications which no chemical can deliver