Industrial cleaning using probiotics

Industrial cleaning using probiotics

Tuesday, 26 March, 2024

Nowadays we all hear a lot about probiotics and all the advantages they offer. But, what are they exactly, what benefits do they provide for us and what applications do they have in industry? We will answer all these questions below.

To begin, we shall consider what probiotics are precisely. These microorganisms are non-pathogenic bacterial strains that produce specific enzymes to break down and transform organic matter (namely, dirt) into simpler compounds such as water and carbon dioxide.

To prevent these microorganisms from germinating and acting in the packaged product, they are inactive and in spore form. However, they are activated upon contact with water and dirt. Thus, when they encounter their food source, they begin to generate specific enzymes to break it down.

Figure 1: Probiotics

Now that we know what they are, we can begin to discuss the benefits that these products can provide us and the applications in which they may do this.

As living organisms, they continue to live and reproduce even after application, thereby extending their cleaning power. For this reason, they are more effective than conventionally used products.

By degrading organic matter and continuing to reproduce until they fully consume their food source, probiotics also remove molecules responsible for bad odours, remaining effective in ducts, pipes and drains. They also provide longer-lasting and deeper effects.

Another benefit provided by probiotics is that they are multifunctional. While enzymes are selective, i.e., they only break down a particular type of substrate, probiotics are more versatile as they are capable of generating the enzymes required – and more – at any time to break down the substrate.

Another advantage is that probiotics are not harmful to humans, animals or the environment, unlike more traditional cleaners, which usually include hazardous substances.

Accordingly, we can see that aside from being more effective and long-lasting, probiotics are also greener and more sustainable.

The final question is: in what applications can they help us?

In industrial cleaning, they can be used for many applications. They can be used for wastewater treatment, treatment of hydrocarbons in car washes, septic tank treatments and bioremediation, among many.

They can also help us with cleaning in the entire HoReCa sector, from cleaning grease traps in restaurant kitchens to cleaning bathrooms and pipes in hotels.

Figure 2: Bathroom cleaning using probiotics

Our represented company BBA Ecotech has developed a wide range of products with probiotics, ready to use or to add in a formulation. There is the option of adding essential oils and plant extracts to capture the molecules that cause bad odours and obtain an immediate effect while the probiotics continue to work.

We also offer the possibility to personalise products, combining them with enzymes, making them in different colours, presenting them in solid or liquid form, and so on.

If you would like further information, please contact our team of technical sales advisors.

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