Microorganisms
– Frequently Asked Questions
Microorganisms are microscopic, living, single-celled organisms such as bacteria. Bacteria are ubiquitous
throughout the world and play a vital role in supporting and maintaining nature and life. Although
some bacteria are harmful, the vast majority are not harmful, but in fact beneficial. They keep nature
clean by removing toxins from water and soil, and degrade organic matter from dead plants and
animals. In the human body they aid in digestion and help prevent invasion by harmful bacteria.
Without bacteria, life would not be possible.
Do Novozymes Biologicals formulations contain
live microorganisms?
Yes, Novozymes Biologicals harnesses the natural
capabilities of live, beneficial bacteria to help degrade
and remove organics that ordinary cleaners or
products miss. Novozymes’ liquid products contain live
bacteria in a dormant state called spores, while dry
products may contain both dormant and nondormant
(active) bacteria. All of the bacteria used in Novozymes
Biologicals’ products are considered safe and
nonpathogenic (do not cause disease/illness in healthy
individuals).
Where does Novozymes Biologicals obtain its
microorganisms?
Microorganisms produced by Novozymes Biologicals
are initially isolated from the environment (water, soil,
and air). Microorganisms are selected based on their
natural abilities to degrade certain substrates. The
most effective strain is then selected, fermented, and
sold to customers in dry or liquid form.
Are the microorganisms in Novozymes Biologicals’
products safe?
Novozymes Biologicals’ beneficial microorganisms are
in the Biosafety Level 1 (Risk Group 1) containment
group, which means that they pose a low risk to
individuals and communities, and it is highly unlikely
that they will cause disease in immunocompetent
humans or animals.
What is the difference between microbes and
enzymes?
Beneficial microorganisms in Novozymes Biologicals’
products perform their work by producing enzymes.
They provide an intelligent, efficient system by
detecting the organics present in the application and
only producing the enzymes needed to break down
these organics. The degradation of organics will not
be immediate since the microorganisms will need time
to adapt to the new environment and then produce
enzymes. While enzymes generally carry out a single
reaction, our beneficial microorganisms degrade the
organic substrates into water and carbon dioxide.
How do Novozymes’ microorganisms interact with
native microorganisms?
The beneficial microorganisms in Novozymes
Biologicals’ products were designed in many cases
to supplement the native populations found in
the application. In field testing these beneficial
microorganisms have not become the dominant part
of the population, although their positive effects can
be observed. In fact, they use the native or indigenous
populations to help digest waste by initiating
degradation of many large macromolecules thanks to
their production of exocellular enzymes.
What happens to the microbes if the product
freezes or gets too hot?
When Novozymes Biologicals’ beneficial
microorganisms are in spore form, they are highly
resistant to short-term temperature variations (from
freezing to hot temperatures). However, if the spores
are exposed to very high temperatures over long
periods of time, they may become defective and
inactive. Under ambient conditions our microorganisms
have a shelf life of 1–2 years depending on the specific
formulation.
When Novozymes Biologicals’ beneficial
microorganisms are in their vegetative form, both
freezing and hot temperatures (above 60 oC/140 oF)
will kill the microorganisms.
Why are chemical ingredients added to the
microbes?
All Novozymes Biologicals’ liquid products contain
chemical preservatives to ensure that they are free
from unwanted bacterial contaminants. Novozymes
Biologicals’ fully formulated products also contain
other chemicals such as surfactants, fragrances,
and/or dyes. Surfactants are often necessary in fully
formulated products to initiate cleaning and to remove
some of the dirt and soil. This also allows the residual
organic soils to be more readily available to the
beneficial microorganisms for continued degradation.
For more information please visit www.novozymes.com
Novozymes Biologicals, Inc. • 5400 Corporate Circle • Salem, VA 24153 • Tel. 800 859 2972 • Fax 540 389 2688
The products and services described in this document are the responsibility of Novozymes Biologicals, Inc., Glen Allen 23060-6802, United States of America
(company registration no. 54-2042079), a wholly owned subsidiary of Novozymes A/S. Laws, regulations, and/or third-party rights may prevent customers
from importing, using, processing, and/or reselling the products described herein in a given manner. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, this document does
not constitute a representation or warranty of any kind and is subject to change without further notice.
© Novozymes A/S • No. 2011-21106-01
How do microorganisms work in an application?
Some beneficial microorganisms can form spores that
are dormant (not metabolically active). The spores will
only become active when certain conditions, nutrients,
and organics (food sources) are available. Once the
spores become active (vegetative), the beneficial
microorganisms are ready to synthesize the appropriate
enzyme to degrade the substrate. The microorganisms
will continue to work until all the organics have been
exhausted or the conditions become unfavorable.
Some will go back to the spore (dormant) state, and
some will die off.