MDG News and Updates

Typically, one of the first questions a contract fermentation customer will ask us is how quickly we can get them to economical commercial production. From our years of experience, we commonly find that if the customer can get 2 Billion CFU/ml (2B) in a standard media such as Trypticase Soy Broth (TSB) or Nutrient Broth (NB), we tend to be able to get them to commercial production in 8-12 weeks. However, if the customer is in the 107 or 108 CFU/ml range in this quick test, we know we have a good amount of work ahead of us and it may take a while. Mind you, we have brought many strains with lower than “2B” CFU/ml yield to a point of economic feasibility, but you can bet it increases the production timeline quite a bit. Now, we know the last thing a customer wants to hear is that production yields may delay or even prevent commercialization all together. In order to prevent this, we highly recommend adding a simple 2B TSB screen into your earlier processes. Planning Ahead Right now, many scientists are trying to find the perfect strain for their application. They will spend months if not years screening their Bacillus libraries seeking desired attributes such […]

New Liquid Product for Winter Treatment Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) is excited to announce the launch of a new product for the Wastewater market. MDG formulated a new liquid cold water strain collection system treatment product, called Biotifx® Liquid Max FRZ. It allows you to outsmart the blizzards, sleet, and snow with Bacillus that remain active at low temperatures using scientifically selected strains.  Keeping an automated dose of the Biotifx® Liquid Max FRZ during the cold months helps digest organic sludge, FOG and reduces H2S and odors, delivering consistent doses, frequently, and at scheduled times. What is Biotifx® Liquid Max FRZ: In addition to our cold weather Biotifx® FRZ line, Liquid Max FRZ is formulated with the same cold temperature Bacillus strains. The liquid version will conveniently treat wastewater treatment plants, lagoons, aerated sludge digester, industrial and municipal grease interceptors. Additionally, Liquid Max FRZ treats collection systems such as lift stations, force mains, sewer and gravity lines, or anywhere automation is desired, ideal in water temperatures 50F˚ and below. How does Biotifx® Liquid Max FRZ work: For many microbes, for every 10C˚ reduction in water temperature, reaction rates are cut in half. At these temperatures, the wastewater’s existing microbes don’t multiply and grow much because […]

Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) is growing in many ways! We began making plans to expand and increase custom fermentation capacity as we realized the potential for growth. To do so, we needed to relocate office and laboratory space from our original Franklin facility to an 80,000 ft² facility located in Oak Creek. MDG Oak Creek now houses three laboratories, office space, spray drying and additional blending capabilities, packaging, and warehousing operations. We began this expansion in 2021 by leasing 40,000 ft² at the Oak Creek facility, doubling the powder blending room size. This expansion into MDG Oak Creek increased blending capacity and volume while providing space to add blending, milling and other equipment in the future. In addition, an external structure was built to install a 34-ft spray dryer and pilot spray dryer. Our Plant Health and Growth (PHG) market will benefit from the small micron size of spray-dried culture, as they dissolve faster and can be incorporated into field applicators. Later in 2021, we signed another September-start lease for the second half of the 80,000 ft² Oak Creek facility where we initiated construction, building office space and three new laboratories. The construction of MDG Oak Creek facility was completed […]

Save Your Customers’ Business with Bioaugmentation The food service industry inevitably has problems with fats, oils, and grease (FOG), and being proactive vs. reactive can be the difference between a thriving business and no business at all. It is essential to provide your customers with an effective and reliable FOG solution. This will help to prevent health code violations, drain backups, emergency pump-outs, unnecessary downtime, and ultimately poor customer satisfaction. Clogged Drains, Closed Doors Pumping out FOG from drains or pipes can cause your food service customers to close their doors for 2-5 days. This means a significant loss in income for their business. Flies Shoo Away Business Clogged drains may attract flies to a business, but it doesn’t attract customers. The conditions within a clogged drain meet all the requirements for pesky flies. Once making their way to the problem area, flies can transport unwanted bacteria to other areas of the kitchen. Little Trust Leads to Few Customers Customers notice when businesses unexpectedly close their doors. They can also both see and smell big cleaning trucks pumping out FOG in the back parking lot during the middle of lunch hour. Public information on FOG build-up, foul odors, grease spills, or […]

In the restaurant industry, it is common for under-maintained grease interceptors to produce heavy fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Fats, oils, and grease accumulated within collection systems from residential areas and restaurants are common as well! Managing and maintaining FOG is important for reducing odors for customers and citizens. Fats, oils, and grease that originate from restaurants, residential homes, and food processing facilities are commonly discharged into sewer systems. Picture things like vegetable oil and solid fats, such as lard. They eventually accumulate and can cause blockages in drainage systems, grease traps, and lift stations. Luckily for us (and our customers), FOG and other solids can be effectively broken down, digested, and removed with the use of bioaugmentation products by making the entire population more efficient. Tool #1: Bacillus Produce Enzymes Bacillus can produce a broad array of enzymes including esterase and lipase. These enzymes hydrolyze or break down FOG into smaller molecules for Bacillus and other species of bacteria to use as a source of energy. By making more food available, Bacillus can enhance a native microbial population, which then assists in the further removal of FOG. In addition to esterase and lipase, Bacillus also secretes other classes of enzymes including, proteases, amylase, and more. Why is this important? […]

MDG’s Manager of Administration, Jean Carlo “JC” Mercado Fajardo, wins the Initiative and Responsibility Award. What about the work you do at MDG that drives and fulfills you? Every day looks different for me. Its almost like a surprise as to what fun or challenging task will I encounter today. This gives me the opportunity to use my skillsets to problem solve, collaborate with team members to achieve a task or goal, or learn something new. What is your favorite thing about being a part of the MDG Team? Everyone I work with are more than talented and equipped individuals, they are passionate team members, leaders in the field, looking for innovative ways to support and work towards our vision to FEED, CLEAN, and SAVE THE WORLD. What is something at work that you’re passionate about? It depends on what day you’re asking. If I must narrow it down to one thing, I am passionate about learning. Learning a new skill or gaining knowledge about a specific topic. Learning about a problem and seeking ways to solve them or be a part of the solution. My favorite is learning about my colleague’s personal life. It helps me connect with other people, […]

1. How do MDG’s Bacillus strains help reduce a variety of organic materials such as debris, decaying food, human and pet waste and FOG? MDG offers Bacillus-based products with different Bacillus strains that have a wide array of capabilities. Bacillus are living organisms and need food to live and multiply. They break down and consume food sources like proteins, carbohydrates, and FOG, that they use to support growth of more Bacillus cells. 2. How are Bacillus strains able to help reduce odors? Bacillus can use certain odor-causing compounds as a food source or to support growth.Substances like volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are consumed as a food source. Other substances like nitrogen are assimilated and incorporated into new Bacillus cells, which prevents them from being released as odorous gasses like ammonia. 3. What types of applications and industries are MDG’s Industrial and Institutional (I&I) Bacillus-based ingredients suitable for? MDG I&I products are best suited for general cleaning and odor reduction. Microbial cleaners work well in applications like drains and grease interceptors where they can prevent build-up of organic material that causes clogs and odors. They also work well for applications like carpet or tile and grout cleaners where they provide long-lasting cleaning and odor reduction on surfaces that are traditionally hard to clean. 4. How […]

Many wastewater distributors are faced with finding an efficient product to combat common challenges such as sludge, fats, oils, and grease, and odors. Bacillus-based products have been proven highly effective and reliable to reduce, eliminate, and alleviate these challenges in the wastewater market. Did You Know These Products Come in Liquid Form?   MDG formulates liquid products that include Bacillus strains scientifically selected for their ability to degrade a broad range of organic material and reduce odors like volatile fatty acids and hydrogen sulfide. These systems include lagoons, sludge tanks, aeration basins, grease interceptors, collection systems/sewers, small wastewater treatment plants, and septic systems. Benefits of Liquid Dosing Liquid dosing can help keep systems in check while controlling a wastewater system regularly and with less manpower. Additionally, liquid dosing: Is compatible with any size pump to dispense specific volumes. Can be released at predetermined times allowing frequent dosing (automation). Improves treatment effectiveness by standardizing treatment. Reduces manual labor. How We Can Help Biotifx® Liquid Max is our highest strength and ready-to-use liquid dosing product containing 3X the number of bacteria and micronutrients as the average competitive liquid product. This liquid product is one of the most powerful and impactful products on the market. Biotifx® Liquid Max […]

In the large-scale liquid bacterial fermentation world, there are two primary ways to grow bacteria: as individual strains or in combination with others. At Microbial Discovery Group, we grow one strain at a time as it has served us well over the past decade. Truth be told, if I could find a way to grow multiple strains in one batch that was produced through a consistent process, resulting in high yield and uniformity in strain ratio, was guaranteed for purity, and ensured maximum sporulation – I would use it for our wastewater treatment products. Over the years we have experimented in finding different ways to accomplish this large task, but sadly none of the results measured up against our 5 criteria for success. Therefore, we are leveraging our expertise in growing one strain at a time to consistently meet our customers’ needs. Growing one strain at a time ensures: Highest strain yield Guaranteed purity Process consistency Uniformity of strain ratio Maximum % sporulation Highest Strain Yield Throughout the years we have found ways to get extremely high yields when growing one strain at a time. I believe our record is just under 3 x 1010 CFU/mL in the fermentation broth. I […]

It’s been a tough few years for the pulp and paper (P&P) industry. With an increase in foreign competition and a lowered demand for paper, many facilities have had to tighten their belt. One of the most probable victims of these cuts are the wastewater treatment systems. Wastewater needs to be cleaned while sludge continues to build up. What was once full capacity-lagoons ready to handle a lot of wastewater are now full of sludge. With limitations on a budget, land to build more lagoons and time allotted for dredging, the sludge and holding capacity concerns have fallen to the wayside to be dealt with another time. Maybe that time is now.  Those full lagoons are rearing their ugly heads and maybe you’re realizing that you shouldn’t have ignored that sludge after all. You have no time to build an extra lagoon or dredging may not be a quick enough or a financially viable option. Enter a third possibility: Bioaugmentation. With the help of hardy Bacillus bacteria, you can treat the incoming sludge as you go, while also reducing your current sludge blanket. With bioaugmentation, you can experience results over time and restore treatment capacity. This buys you time and improves water treatment simultaneously. Pulp […]