A perspective of the C.O.D.E. technology from Advanced BioCatalytics Corp. (ABC)
ABC's technological focus is to develop specialty chemical products for industrial, institutional and consumer markets. Patents have been filed for attributes and benefits of the C.O.D.E. technology. These are discussed below.
ABC developed fermentation-derived bioactive ingredients, which it calls its "protein bundle", formulated with surface-active systems and stabilizers. The protein bundle is the foundation of the C.O.D.E. technology.
The following reviews key attributes of the C.O.D.E. technology:
- Affects microbial metabolism at a fundamental level to accelerate the breakdown of organic material;
- Effects of the protein bundle on surfactants that change the nature of surfactant chemistry;
- Formulations of the protein bundle and surfactant are highly stable through a wide range of temperature, pH and end use conditions;
- Resulting products are safe for the user and the environment;
- Benefits to the environment go beyond being merely "biodegradable" by actively helping to break down organic materials.
When treating wastewater processes with its protein-surfactant composition, ABC improves the effectiveness and reduces the costs of operating wastewater treatment facilities. The benefits include: reduced sludge, reduced electrical and chemical consumption by the plant and increasing the effective capacity of the plant by accelerating the degradation of organic compounds by the indigenous bacteria. Sludge from wastewater treatment plants, in most operations, has to be hauled off to a landfill. Landfill space is nearing capacity in many areas, resulting in increased cost of sludge disposal. ABC's Technology can reduce the volume of sludge to be treated by 30%.
Secondly, there has been a significant amount of research conducted on the effects of surfactants on proteins, largely in the pharmaceutical industry. Surfactants have been used to modify the physico-chemical characteristics of proteins, such as solubility, binding properties, tertiary structure and so forth. Conversely, there has been little research conducted to show the effects of proteins on surfactants.
ABC has demonstrated that its protein bundle, when combined with various surfactant systems, results in formulations that have a marked ability to reduce surface tension and interfacial tension in aqueous solutions, while simultaneously decreasing the critical micelle concentration (CMC). The effects seen, allow a reduction in the levels of surfactants that would be needed without the addition of the protein bundle. This phenomenon makes it possible to create improved multifunctional surfactant systems.
In addition, ABC has created two new dimensions in the control of oils and greases, which has implication in many end uses:
- Degradation of oil and grease contaminants at the molecular level, and
- In certain cases, a substantial portion of the degraded material creates new surfactant-like molecules, thereby establishing an "autocatalytic" process.
With reduced surface and interfacial tension, as well as lowering of the CMC, the effectiveness of surfactants is increased. This means less cleaning solution is needed. All of the effects above lead to lower costs and improved cleaning effectiveness.
Numerous products exist in the marketplace that contain enzymes or bacteria to enhance their performance. The C.O.D.E. technology is not one of them.
One of the main drawbacks to enzymes is that a particular enzyme is limited in use. One enzyme is effective only at a particular type of fat, oil or grease, as an example. They compensate for this by using a blend of different enzymes and other additives called "builders" to enhance cleaning. The additives have a tendency to leave residual streaks, especially noticeable on shiny surfaces. Secondly, enzymes are somewhat unstable and have short shelf lives. Products that use enzymes require additives to extend their shelf life and this adds to their cost. Temperature, pH and many chemicals can denature enzymes, further limiting their use. Bacteria-based products are formulated with bacterial spores that, when used, usually take several hours before they become fully active. These "hybrid" bacteria must also compete with the indigenous bacteria and, many times, are rendered useless.
Other important market areas where "wetting" of surfaces is important include coatings, inks, pigment dispersions, agricultural spraying, textile wetting, and others. The reduction of both dynamic and equilibrium surface tension, at reduced surfactant levels provides incomparable benefits in these application areas.
Surfactants comprise a broad range of chemical compounds. Their biodegradability varies from "good" to "not biodegradable," but the trend is to use surfactants that have improved biodegradability. Second, some surfactants are endocrine mimicking agents and there are efforts to reduce their usage. While these surfactants are effective in their end use applications, their environmental impact does limit their uses. ABC's protein bundle facilitates formulation with "desirable", environmentally friendly surfactants to produce highly efficacious products.
The C.O.D.E. technology allows formulation of highly effective cleaning products without the need for harsh chemicals or solvents deemed hazardous to humans and the environment.
More: What is the C.O.D.E.?
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