Innovative Solution to
Control Biofilm in Drains
Zep Biofilm Drain Purge A + B
Pathogens Reside in Biofilm/Challenges
 Biofilms are natural habitat for microorganisms
 Microorganisms in biofilms express resistance (1000 times the dose of
antimicrobials required)
 Sessile vs. planktonic (floating) organisms:
• Sessile microorganisms embedded in a gelatinous matrix,
anchored to a surface by polymeric sugars (polysaccharides)
• Control of planktonic organisms does not necessarily mean
control of biofilm (false sense of security)
PLANKTO
NIC
SESSILE
Issues In The Control of Biofilm
 Biofilms more likely to form in wet, inaccessible areas and on
corroded surfaces
 Polymer matrix strongly adheres to surfaces
 Conventional disinfectants and cleaners have limited
effectiveness against biofilm
 Not sufficient to kill the surface organisms – must remove
the reservoir
 Manual scrubbing is required (time consuming and is not
effective in difficult to reach areas)
 Failure to remove means repopulation in 48 hours – normally
168 hours to re-establish
 High risk of false negative sampling
Biofilms in Drains

2004, FSIS/USDA audit of food processing facilities and
found 27.8% of drains are positive for Listeria

Drains - consistent food source and wet environment
ideal for biofilm formation

Prime source of cross-contamination when drain
pathogens are aerosolized
Bacterial Biofilm Can Move
Competitive Drain Programs
 Sanitizer rings:
• Can be expensive
• Treat the water, not the drain
• Do not remove biofilms
 Liquids:
• Do not provide full coverage of drain trunk line
surfaces (upper part of the trunk line)
• Do not have contact time
• Do not remove biofilm
• Can upset WWTP (Waste Water Treatment Plant)
Biofilm in Drains/Drain Trunk Line
Nutrition + Water + Oxygen + Temperature = Microbial growth (Slime/Biofilm)
Drain
Floor
Biofilm
Sanitizer
Solution
Drain Trunk Line
About PerQuatTM Technology
 Active ingredients:
 Quaternary Ammonium chloride 3%
 Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
 A powerful combination chemistry developed by pairing
the negatively charged Perhydroxide ion with a
positively charged Quaternary Ammonium compound.
 The two molecules form an intimate ion pair resulting in
“PerQuat”, a Hydrogen Peroxide and Quat hybrid with
unique cleaning and antimicrobial efficacy.
 This powerful technology can be used in a variety of
industrial and public health environments to remove
biofilm from the surfaces.
PerQuatTM Technology
Biofilm Drain Purge

Alkaline peroxygen chemistry

Phase transfer catalysis

Hydrolysis of biofilm polymer matrix

Multiple antimicrobial mechanisms

Physical mechanisms

Attacks adhesions that glue biofilm

Collapses and removes biofilm polymer structure
The 3 Step Method To Remove Biofilms
PerQuatTM Technology
Step 1
Attack and bombard the biofilm
matrix.
Step 2
Penetrate the outer layer and
dissolve into the matrix.
Key
Step 3
Destroy and eliminate the biofilm
matrix by a unique combination of
hydrolysis, oxidation, and
solubilization.
Surface Before and After Biofilm Drain
Purge Treatment
PerQuatTM Technology
Surface prior to Biofilm Drain Purge
Treatment
Surface after Biofilm Drain Purge
Treatment
Biofilm Treatment with Different Sanitizers
Other products do not effectively remove biofilm
Before Bleach
After Bleach
Before Quat
After Quat
Before Glutaraldehyde
After Glutaraldehyde
PerQuatTM completely removes biofilm
Before Biofilm Drain Purge
After Biofilm Drain Purge
12
Biofilm Drain Purge Program
 Biofilm Drain Purge:
 Biofilm Drain Purge A Prod. # 2766
 Biofilm Drain Purge B Prod. # 2772
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
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PerQuatTM Technology
Only EPA-registered drain program with biofilm claims
Concentrated, easy to use 2-part liquid
Designed to remove and control biofilms and biofouling
Non-acid, non-volatile
Chlorine and phosphate free
Can be flushed into sanitary waste systems
Biofilm Drain Purge Application
 6 oz. Biofilm Drain Purge A + 6 oz.
Biofilm Drain Purge B + 1 gallon of
water in a foaming device
 Foam Application (20 – 30 sec/drain)
 Use any existing foaming equipment or
Zep’s portable foaming devices
 Required foaming attachment
 No rinsing is required
Required Foaming Attachments
Drain Foam
Assembly (Prod.#
N16601)
Drain Foam
Attachment 7”
(Prod. # N16801)
Drain Foam
Attachment 12”
(Prod. # N16701)
Black Drain Foam
Plunger (Prod. #
N16901)
Foaming Attachments
Recommended Foamers
15 gallon rolling foamer
product # 796401
2 gallon pump sprayer
product # M79401
Biofilm Drain Purge Treatment in
Drains/Drain Trunk Line
Foam Attachment
Drain
Floor
Biofilm Drain Purge Foam (Full coverage)
Biofilm
Drain Trunk Line
Biofilm in Drains/Drain Trunk Line
Benefits of Using Biofilm Drain
Purge
 Destroys and controls microorganisms in the biofilm in the
drains
 Eliminates fruit flies in the drains
 Allows for an easy and quick foam application into drains
and down into trunk lines
 Allows for disinfection past the trap and a full coverage of
the entire trunk line at 360°
 No scrubbing is required
 20 – 30 seconds/drain
 Can be used on walls, floors and ceilings to
remove biofilms
Biofilm Drain Purge Use Applications
 Food and beverage processing plants
• Meat (all stages)
• Poultry
• Dairy
• Wine
• Beer
• Beverage (fruit, soft drinks)
 Food service restaurants and supermarkets
 Dairy farms
 Egg washing, grading, breaking facilities
 Hatcheries
 Environmental surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings)
 Cooling water systems
Biofilm Drain Purge Literature
•
•
Biofilm Drain Purge Brochure ZDL 320-33a
Biofilm Drain Purge DVD on Zep Intranet
Questions?