MDG News and Updates

The rising demand for artificial grass and turf has led to thousands of installations across America, with over a thousand more being added annually.² Schools, municipalities, and businesses are increasingly adopting artificial grass and turf as a sustainable solution. However, it is common for unwanted contaminants and odors to accumulate on artificial grass and turf from various sources such as oil and grease from vehicles and equipment, debris, waste from animals, and more. Regardless of the type of activity occurring, owners want to ensure their artificial grass and turf are maintained. The importance of synthetic grass maintenance is becoming increasingly relevant to your customers in the industrial and institutional market. Artificial Grass vs Turf: What’s the Difference? “Artificial grass” and “turf” are often used interchangeably, but they have minor differences². Both names refer to different types of synthetic grass³. Typically, the pristine grass fields seen in residential or commercial landscaping applications, big club stadiums, and professional sports fields are known in the industry as artificial grass. Artificial grass has longer blades, providing a more natural appearance, and is enhanced with additional cushion or infill for falls and natural ball bounce. Artificial grass may even have shock pads for players, along […]

Bacillus Species Identification Methods: Definitions, Pros, and Cons Understanding the effectiveness of Bacillus products is easy to understand because in many cases we can visibly see the difference. But, it is hard to see what exactly makes up the product. Like most companies, you have probably asked suppliers “what species and how many strains of Bacillus do you have?” This may have been followed up with a straight answer from the supplier but you found that your lab results didn’t match up. Or, maybe you have asked that question only to be replied to with more questions. Like most suppliers, we have been asked that question many times. Seems like a simple question, right? At first glance this question appears straight-forward, but in actuality it is fairly complex. It is important to understand what contributes to the complexity of this question, why suppliers respond the way they do, and the best practices for getting an accurate answer. The Big Question: What species and how many strains of Bacillus do you have in a particular product? The Bacillus genus contains a broad range of species and strains with a wide variety of physiologic capabilities; this is precisely what we love about […]

What do many commercial, residential, industrial and institutional facilities all have in common? If you said a door, you’re technically correct; but for the purpose of today’s article the correct answer was Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)! All of your customers facilities have drains, and drains are sought-after hosts for FOG. FOG commonly builds up in pre-rinse stations and dishwashers, compartment sinks, mop sinks, floor drains, floor sinks and trough drains. The accumulation of FOG can be caused by a multitude of different sources; lubricating oils, road construction, cooking, and more. Regardless of the cause, FOG causes costly problems when left untreated. With FOG as a leading cause of drain and sewer backups, a high-quality product that gets rid of fats, oils and grease should be a staple in your Industrial and Institutional product line. The infographic below illustrates the benefits of a high-quality bacteria-based treatment solution against the alternatives, the problems associated with harsh chemicals or leaving the problem untreated. MDG specializes in providing Bacillus concentrate products to manufacturers in the I&I industry. With a foundation in research and development, MDG excels in the isolation, characterization and fermentation of Bacillus. Our SporActiv™ line contains a combination of Bacillus strains […]

For treating wastewater systems with bioaugmentation, spring is the perfect time for treatment to begin. During the spring months, temperatures begin to rise, increasing microbial activity. This is a time to get ahead of seasonal challenges and address greater needs for wastewater treatment. Microbial Discovery Group’s (MDG) wastewater technical team has visited countless facilities around the world and sees the same common problems when spring approaches: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), odors, sludge, fat, oil, and grease (FOG). Sludge & FOG Treating in the springtime is a game-changing practice when it comes to sludge and FOG. The primary time to biologically digest and remove sludge and FOG from any system is the summertime. Seeking out locations early in spring affected by sludge and FOG, such as aeration basins, lagoons, and sludge tanks can reduce the buildup before things accumulate or worsen during warm months. H2S & Odor As temperatures and microbial activity increase, wastewater becomes anaerobic faster and H2S production increases. These conditions lead to excessive odors and H2S generation as seen in Figure 1. At MDG, our Bacillus bacteria can preventatively reduce the production of H2S and odors during these times. Additionally, they can reduce or prevent the need for extensive and reactive chemical treatment […]

Unlock the secret to a fresh and clean bathroom experience for your customers with MDG’s SporActiv® Bacillus.   What is Uric Acid?  Uric acid, one component found in urine, forms a solid crystalline salt residue that can build up on bathroom surfaces over time. This buildup can be difficult to remove and trap unwanted odors. With the help of SporActiv® Bacillus products, you can help stop the problem. Backed by our Real Science, Trusted Process, and Proven Success, SporActiv® Bacillus is effective in breaking down uric acid, paving the way for a cleaner, more hygienic space. SporActiv® Bacillus Research  At MDG, Real Science matters; it is our foundation. Discover the science behind SporActiv® Bacillus and its ability to persist on surfaces, continuously metabolizing uric acid long after application. Our findings, highlighted in our research document below, showcase the superior performance of SporActiv®. Ready to transform your customers’ bathroom maintenance routine? Get in touch with one of our experts to learn more about microbial based cleaning solutions. CONTACT US    

Over the past decade, clean ingredient incentive groups worldwide have taken a hard look at manufacturers of products used for Industrial, Institutional, and Consumer (IIC) cleaning and the environmental impact these products elicit. Many commodity ingredients of the past decades have experienced a great deal of scrutiny and limitation in use as of late. Some of these may look familiar: Nonylphenol ethoxylates Phthalates Harsh caustics and acids Phosphates Harsh chemicals Silicates Solvents These are just a handful of types of ingredients that were formerly used in abundance but now have experienced restrictions by many environmentally conscious agencies. Manufacturers and distributors in the IIC sector are grappling with finding environmentally friendlier alternatives to these ingredients. There is a need for cleaning ingredients with a lower bioburden, to bridge the gap between the effective products of yesterday, and the cleaner products of tomorrow. Amidst the increasing restrictions on ingredients used in cleaning products, Bacillus has emerged as a unique and effective solution. To say that “Bacillus is biodegradable” is a gross underestimation of the power of Bacillus. Bacillus is the “Biodegrader”, excelling at addressing stains by digesting and eliminating organic materials at their source. In formulating cleaning products, it is worth considering laws and regulations regarding […]

Sona Son is one of Microbial Discovery Group (MDG)’s first employees and was hired back in 2008. Her role has evolved over the past decade, but her passion remains the same: utilizing real science to solve real problems. 1. What drew you to Microbial Discovery Group? I joined MDG in 2008 as a recent college graduate. Back then, the building was still under construction, so I had to wear a hard hat on my first visit. The conference room where I was interviewed did not even have a conference table – only two folding chairs and a whiteboard! I was drawn to MDG because of that – the opportunities to make an immediate impact and continue to learn and grow. Most of all, I was inspired by Mike King’s passion and enthusiasm toward research and the company’s future potential. 2. What does your typical day look like? This can really vary! In my role, I work across departments and have the opportunity to make a difference on a daily basis. I spend a good portion of my time in meetings where I focus on everything from big picture items to day-to-day challenges. Between problem-solving both short and longer-term R&D ventures, […]

Under the Microscope this month is Josiah Menako, MDG’s Wastewater Technical Service Specialist. Josiah plays a key role on our wastewater treatment team by specializing in servicing and educating our distribution partners for success! 1. What drew you to Microbial Discovery Group (MDG)? While in school, I was working in several research labs and I strongly desired to continue that professionally. In my mind it is the coolest job. I’ve been a scientist at heart since I was a kid. The story of how I specifically got to MDG is pretty unique. I worked at Panera all though high school and a bit during college. A few times a week, I would take the order and make the food for Mike King, his wife Sharron, and their two daughters. Little did I know, Mike was writing the business plan for MDG while he was there. As I got to talking with him more and more, I mentioned that I was going to school for Microbiology and he told me to give him a call someday. One year before graduating, I decided it was time to give him a call and the next thing I knew, I was an intern doing […]

We had an unexpected and wonderful guest last week! My family and I volunteered to escort the chart topping Christian singer Matthew West to a very special concert at the Milwaukee County House of Correction, an important stop before his show at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds later that night. At the House of Correction, his lyrics touched the hearts of those in attendance. FOX 6 was there to capture it all, and Matthew shared with them, “No matter how messed up this stage of your life might be, this does not have to define you.” After the show, I shared how his song “Do Something” had played a role in creating our Feed, Clean, Save vision, as we also hope that we can make an impact in someone’s life, doing more than just being a business. To our surprise, he was excited to learn more about our efforts. Since we were less than a mile from our Franklin office, we invited him to stop by and talk more. While he was here, he shot a personal video message to one of our employees, who was also inspired by his songs and is currently doing mission work in Haiti. It was such an inspiring day and I will […]

Not too long ago, a biofertilizer customer came to me frantically and explained, “I need to grow 7 strains of Bacillus in 3 weeks because it’s planting season and I can’t miss this year’s season.” I felt sorry for him, yet I had no choice but to say: “I’m sorry, but we cannot help you. Your timelines just aren’t realistic.” This exact interaction has happened more times than I care to remember. Trust me, I understand how big the opportunities are, especially with row crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat, and it truly pains me not to be able to help. Nevertheless, the size of the market and opportunity doesn’t magically reduce the time needed to optimize the microbial strains. Down the road he went, hoping to find someone who would say yes to his impractical timeline. He found someone who would take his money, but they too were unable to deliver. I would later come to find out that both his product and company didn’t make it. I wish we could have done more; if only they had involved us earlier! We find customers will spend years on strain development to only flush it all down the drain by giving their […]