PRODUCT RELEASE: Empower Stain Removal and More with β-mannanase!

Bionetix® International is pleased to introduce another important enzyme for manufacturers and formulators: ECP1300™. This high efficiency β-mannanase enzyme is produced by nonpathogenic fungi and is designed to break down complex polysaccharides into simple sugars. Such action makes ECP1300™ useful in a wide range of industries—from laundry detergent formulation to biofuel production and paper making. The following examples offer a snapshot of the many things β-mannanase can do!

Stain Removal

Stain Removal

The most important purpose of ECP1300™ is to help with the stain removal process when doing laundry. Mannan is becoming an increasing source of staining due to the use of guar gum as a thickener in many processed foods and personal care products. Mannan sticks to the fabric and makes it difficult to remove stains caused by BBQ sauce, ice cream, chocolate, gum, and other foods or products that contain mannan. To make matters worse, the “mannan glue effect” causes loose particles to stick to mannan residues and soil the fabric. Including ECP1300™ in detergents and stain removers can therefore greatly enhance their stain removal power by breaking down mannans so they are easier to rinse away. Combining ECP1300™ with a variety of other enzymes (e.g., cellulase, lipase, and amylase), can increase the stain removal capacity of detergents even further.

Animal Nutrition

Mannans can also be found in feed products, such as those where copra meal or guar gum has been added for economic advantages. However, these mannan containing foods can be difficult for animals to digest and can have a negative effect on the growth and health of livestock such as poultry. The addition of β-mannanase can help with digestion to promote better feed conversion. ECP1300™ can also aid hydrolysis of mannan into MOS (mannan oligosaccharides), a prebiotic with many benefits such as improving gut flora to promote better animal health.

Oil and Biofuel Production

In the oil and gas industry, fracking has become a means of extracting untapped resources in shale oil fields. Guar gum is used to thicken drilling fluids, and β- mannanase can subsequently be used for thinning to help regulate flow. Forms of β-mannanase derived from fungal sources (as is ECP1300™) are typically best suited to low temperature fracturing wells. On the biofuel side of the energy industry, ECP1300™ can also be used as a way to hydrolyze mannans into simple sugars that can be fermented and turned into second generation ethanol.

Paper and Textile Industries

In the pulp and paper industry, β-mannanase can help increase paper brightness, potentially reducing the use of harsh chemicals for bleaching. In textile production, ECP1300™ can be used for desizing and aid in the removal of impurities during bio-scouring.

Many Mannans = Many Uses for β-mannanase

With the increasing use of mannans, there are more reasons than ever to take advantage of β-mannanase. Start enhancing detergents and feeds, facilitating oil and biofuel production, and improving the paper and textile processing industries today!

Keywords: stain removal, detergent additives, feed additive, improve gut flora, stain removal, animal nutrition, ethanol production, fracking, drilling mud additive, Bionetix

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PRESS RELEASE: Cool Weather Wastewater Treatment? Bring on the Bugs!

Fall is here in the Northern Hemisphere. On the positive side, that means seeing more landscapes splashed with red, yellow, orange, and burgundy leaves on the daily drive. On the negative side, it means it is time for wastewater treatment plants to reevaluate their current bioaugmentation plan to prepare for cooler temperatures. Bionetix® is here to help with a simple rule of thumb: When cooler temperatures arrive, add more bugs.

Microbes Are Indispensable

Wastewater treatment would be impossible without microorganisms that feed on organic waste to get the nutrients and energy they need to grow and reproduce. This biodegradation process breaks larger contaminants into smaller innocuous elements that can safely be released back into nature. Two key measurements of effluent quality are BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) and/or COD (chemical oxygen demand), which indirectly reflect the level of organic compounds. When more oxygen is required, more contaminants are present. The goal of wastewater treatment is to reduce BOD/COD by improving water quality. 

Bioaugmentation and Cold Weather

While many microorganisms are naturally present in wastewater, it is often beneficial to add extra microorganisms to speed up waste degradation. This is called bioaugmentation and is especially important during cool weather, when microbial metabolism slows down. Microorganisms take longer to multiply, some die off, and BOD/COD reduction is slower and less than before. Hence, a drop in temperature can lead to an increase in BOD and require more intense bioaugmentation to keep BOD levels down.

Billions of Microbes, Multiple Options

Many different microbial blends can be used to boost BOD/COD reduction in lagoons, aerobic digesters, SBRs (sequencing batch reactors), MBBRs (moving bed biofilm reactors), and other secondary wastewater treatment systems during cool weather.

BCL6000™ is a good choice where automatic pumping is desired. In addition to containing 2 billion CFU (colony forming units) per mL, this liquid blend also contains free enzymes, nutrients, and an oxygen source to support healthy aerobic conditions and metabolism among the microbial population. The microorganisms in BCL6000™ can continue to work as long as the wastewater temperature stays above 50-54 °F (10- 12 °C).

BCP50™ contains bacteria in powder form that can be dosed based on daily flow rates, retention times, and other factors. This blend of 5 billion CFU per gram of product is targeted to degrade proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and select hydrocarbons. It is recommended for reseeding and startup, when an extra boost of microorganisms and nutrients is needed to get a healthy colony established. This microbial loading action also makes it a good candidate for replenishing microbial populations that are struggling to flourish in cooler temperatures. BCP655™ is similar but aimed at lagoon systems. Both can be used in wastewater that is at least 50 °F (11 °C) or warmer. 

Get Ready to Add More Bugs!

As the weather cools, it is vital to plan ahead for those months when it will be harder for microbes to keep up with the normal wastewater workload. Start choosing your extra bugs now to stay at a healthy rate of wastewater BOD reduction this fall and winter!

Keywords: winterizing wastewater treatment plant, wastewater treatment in cold weather, bioaugmentation, wastewater troubleshooting, Bionetix, wastewater challenges in cold weather, BOD problems and solutions, how to reduce BOD, biochemical oxygen demand, COD in wastewater

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