Enviro's - How they work the science behind Enviro

The science behind Enviro

There is a Green alternative that is a cleaner greener smarter solution
Biological Technology
Cleaning agents generally separate soils from fabric or surface substrate by dissolving or suspending them in a water or solvent liquid solution to be carried away when the solution is removed. The cleaning action of the primary formulation components is supplemented by additives to optimize the performance of the cleaners.
Biological additives are used to break down organic soils into smaller particles so that the soils are more readily separated and emulsified by surfactants for subsequent removal. Low levels of residual organic soils may often remain on surfaces due to incomplete solubilisation or suspension of imbedded soils or incomplete rinsing of the surface. Biological additives impart a residual activity to the cleaned surface allowing for a slow removal of deeply embedded soils.
Biological additives function through the action of stabilized extracellular enzymes – enzymes that act outside the body of the microbe that produced them. These enzymes may be added as a separate component of the cleaning product or they may be produced as required by microbes added as a component of the cleaning product. Enzymes are organic catalysts found in nature. These catalysts hasten specific chemical reactions. Each enzyme selectively speeds the breakdown of a single type of chemical bond. Four classes of enzymes are commonly used in cleaning: (1) protease which breaks down protein, (2) amylase which breaks down starch; (3) lipase which degrades fats and oils, and (4) cellulase which breaks down cellulose. Microbes are able to detect the organic soils present and, provided they have the genetic capability, produce the specific enzymes needed to degrade those organics.
How cool is this? Nature at work.
Enzyme technology
Enzymes are natural catalysts produced by all living organisms for control of metabolism and growth. They control the rate at which chemical reactions occur. We can now harness specific enzymes produced through fermentation processes to speed up a wide range of industrial reactions.
Enzymes help speed up and increase the performance of cleaning products in a wide range of applications. Most consumer laundry detergents contain enzymes to help remove stains, increase whiteness, eliminate fabric pills, and prevent re-soiling. The inclusion of enzymes in laundry detergents also allows for shorter wash cycles and lower wash temperatures while ensuring the desired cleaning result, thus, providing energy savings. Enzymes are also used to improve the performance of automatic dishwashing products by helping to remove protein deposits, starch films, and food particles. Can your chemically based detergent do this effectively?
Enzymes perform well under mild temperature and mild pH conditions and are therefore ideally suited for cleaning sensitive materials such as membrane filtration systems and highly sensitive medical equipment such as endoscopes. Commonly used in some food processing facilities, enzyme cleaning removes the residual organics and assists in effective cleaning of equipment.
Microbial technology
Bacteria are nature’s primary decomposers. Their action helps nature recycle nutrients to be used again. They act by producing specific enzymes capable of breaking down organics present in their environment.
Most microorganisms used in cleaning applications are Bacillus strains. Bacilli are (excellent producers of extracellular enzymes) and they are resistant to a wide range of formulation ingredients. They produce encapsulated spores that remain inactive for long periods providing shelf stable products. Once exposed to organic substrates they germinate and produce the enzymes required to breakdown the specific organics present. Germination requires some time and thus enzyme cleaning is not ideal for cleaning processes that must occur very quickly, however, once germinated microbes and their extracellular enzymes will continue to act as long as organics are present and conditions favourable.
Specific benefits provided by microbial actives include deep cleaning of imbedded soils and odour control due to degradation of odour-causing organics
In summary
The most widely utilised biological is BACILLUS SUBTILIS:
According to clinical studies documented in the medical research report, IMMUNOSTIMULATION BY BACILLUS SUBTILIS PREPARATIONS, by micro-biologist J. Harmann, the cell wall components of Bacillus Subtilis are able to activate nearly all systems of the human immune defence including the activation of at least three specific antibodies (IgM, IgG and IgA secretion) which are highly effective against many of the harmful viruses, fungi and bacteria pathogens which regularly attempt to invade and infect the human system. Bacillus subtilis is still used widely today in Germany, France and Israel, where safe, effective all-natural therapeutic products are more highly esteemed by the health-savvy public than the more expensive synthetic drugs and chemicals espoused by the orthodox medical and chemical establishment with all of their dangerous side effects.
In short, the incredible Bacillus subtilis, which is commonly found in the outside environment rather than in the human intestinal system, continues to benefit mankind ever since its unusual discovery by the Germans in 1941. What's more, it is only one small example of the multitude of "friendly" microorganisms which can create tremendous benefits for humans, even though they are not necessarily "native" microorganisms to the human body.
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These Bio-Enzymes are proteins created by living cells that exist in organisms such as plants, animals and bacteria and are used to digest waste. When added to organic material like dirt, grease and oil, they immediately go to work breaking down the organic material within these substances. This natural “dust to dust” process that constantly occurs in our environment keeps waste material from overrunning us. The four basic enzymatic systems are those that break down fats and greases (lipase); proteins (protease); cellulose such as wood, cotton and paper (cellulase); and carbohydrates and starches (amylase). Dirt has layers of fine film composed of “substrate” such as grease, oils, fats, bacteria, germs, dust mites, non-organic material and organic microorganisms. These films are bonded to each other and to the surface by amino and fatty acids (organic acids composed of proteins, fats or fatty oils). Most cleaners emulsify some of these dirt films but may not break down the lower levels held together by amino and fatty acids. Usually the top layers of the films are removed but some of the lower levels are left to collect bacteria. As a result, re-soiling can occur much faster.
HOW THEY WORK.
When activated bio-enzymes attack or digest the amino and fatty acids that bond the films of dirt together. They also emulsify them so they can be completely removed from the surface. Researchers believe that in the activation process, when the substrate and enzymes come in contact with each other, the enzymes physically curl and twist—in what is called a “conformational change.” This physical change initiates the contact between the enzyme and substrate which is necessary to “catalyze” the reaction. A catalyst is a substance that speeds or slows a chemical reaction without being involved in the reaction itself. Put another way, enzymes are chemical catalysts that accelerate the natural biodegrading or breaking down, of organic substrate, which comprises most soils. Enzymes dissolve and break down protein and organic matter, diminishing odours caused by staining agents such as urine, feces, vomit, pet odours, spoiled foods and mildew. Enzymes are derived from living organisms and are harmless to humans, animals, marine life and general ecology. They are non-toxic, non-irritating, non-gaseous, non-flammable, non-pathogenic and typically safe to use. There are thousands of different enzymes, each having specific, individual characteristics. Since an enzyme that breaks down proteins (protease) will not react on fats or oils, and effective enzymatic cleaning system must contain enough different classes and types of enzymes to assure proper catalytic reaction. In concentrated form, this greatly speeds up the natural “dust to dust” process. One way to demonstrate the effectiveness of enzyme digesters is to mix warm water and the enzyme product in a small cup (per recommended dilution ratio). Then place a few pieces of dry cat food into the cup. After 10 to 15 minutes, the cat food will be totally dissolved. This breakdown of protein will demonstrate, and help you more fully understand, how the chemical works on other microscopic bacteria and proteins.
WORK USE AREAS
Drain Openers.
Follow label for correct mixing instructions, and then pour into clogged drains Always start by working on lower level floors drains first. If your workers start at the upper levels, the dislodged and dissolved protein will further plug lower level plumbing. It is best to use drain openers at night or over a weekend to give the enzyme several hours to do its job. Enzymes are not fast acting like acid-type drain openers and they require a few hours to work properly; however, they are much safer for workers and plumbing.

Carpets.
Enzymes work well for blood stain removal and they are very effective in reducing (or in most cases, eliminating) odours caused by urine, vomit and other organic-related odours. When odours are in carpet backing, use a carpet syringe and inject 50ml of undiluted enzymes through the backing onto the sub-floor. Several injections are required to cover a large area. Each injection should cover a 0.2m2 diameter area. Enzymes can be used on all other water-safe fabrics that contain odour or stains caused by the same organic matter that also stain carpeting.
Restrooms, bathrooms and toilets.
When mopping, mix enzymes with warm water to the correct dilution ratio and mop floors. Do not rinse floors, but air dry, allowing the enzymes time to react with bacterial matter? Enzymes will be absorbed into the floor mortar joints, allowing deep cleaning and odour removal. Remember that you cannot use an enzyme digester at the same time that a disinfectant cleaner is applied. The residue of the disinfectant will kill the live organisms of the enzymes. Use one or the other—never both digester and disinfectant together. You can also spray enzymes on and around urinals and other odour-producing fixtures. Regular applications of enzymes will eliminate the source of the odour. When spraying, use a stream, not a mist. Enzymes applied as a mist can easily be inhaled into the lungs. Enzymes are living organisms and could cause medical problems if inhaled.
Cost Effectiveness.
Enzymes are not costly; however, care should be taken to correctly use these products. You need to identify specific areas that are present or potential problem areas. You can then work the enzymes into your present program at proper frequencies to ensure desired results. Using enzymes in a haphazard manner with no scheduled routine will not only waste product, but also more importantly will waste valuable labour. Enzymes are economical and safe to use within a wide work-use area. They can be injected directly into mattresses to reduce urine smells or poured into kitchen or restroom drains to unclog grease or hair deposits. The primary caution is not to permit inhalation of sprayed (misted) product. Some good candidates for bacteria / enzymes digesters are health care facilities, schools, industrial plants, health clubs, correctional facilities, offices, restaurants, and food service operations. The list can be expanded to include any and all areas that have stains and odours from protein or organic matter. Work use areas for enzymes are expanding, and new applications open up daily in the sanitary maintenance field. Enzymatic cleaners are new technology that allows for many uses by cleaning professionals.
How Do I Know if a Cleaning Product Is “Green?”
The good news is that environmental group, legislators, the EPA, and the cleaning products industry are all working together to improve the products that you use every day. Although Green Cleaning has only been fashionable for the last decade or so, we have been working on developing more environmentally-sound cleaning products for more than 50 years.

The cleaning products industry has understood the importance of biodegradable cleaning products since the 1950s. In the 1970s, the industry removed all CFCs from aerosols. In the 1990s, products became more concentrated (“ultras”) which reduced packaging. Cleaning products have been getting “greener” through innovation and continuous improvement – long before the “green” movement was even around!

Green Cleaning – It’s Not Just Black & White

Years ago, “green” was simply what you got when you mixed yellow and blue. Today, however, the word “green” can mean “environmentally friendly.” “Green” products are lining store shelves, and the Internet is abuzz with tips for green living and step-by-step instructions for making your own “earth-friendly” household cleaning products. But does homemade always mean “green”? Is green always safer? The amount of information out there can be overwhelming.

To most of us, the idea of green cleaning means using products that is better for the environment – better than what? And what makes a product “good” for the environment?

Green=Clean?
So what exactly does it mean to be green? Does “green” mean considered safe for humans and animals? Does it mean that a product is made from plants and not petroleum? Biodegradable? Less packaging? Recyclable?

Yes, green can means all of those things. But green must also mean “effective.” A cleaning product that does not clean well is not good for the environment. Producing and packaging a useless cleaning product is a waste of time and energy, which is very “un-green.”

If you want to buy cleaning products that are environmentally friendly, you need to understand and be able to evaluate claims on a label. “Green” certification criteria are generally available online by the certifiers.

So what is “Green Cleaning?”

Green Cleaning is the commitment to make, use, and dispose of cleaners with people and the environment in mind. You are making your world a little greener when you use a cleaning product that is safe and effective, and you follow all product instructions and dispose of the product properly. Always think – CLEANER, GREENER, SMARTER