PAGs in food industry

Food is a favourable medium for propagation of various microorganisms. The following species can be most often met in food: mould fungi (of genus Mucor, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosprrium), yeasts (Torulopsis, Saccharomyces), gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (predominantly of genus Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Salmonella, Proteus), and actinomyces represented by Actinomyces and Coryne bacterium cultures.

Microorganisms can form biofilms on the surfaces in working facilities with high humidity. Such films can cover the surfaces of food, industrial equipment, engineering structures; they can become dangerous sources of microbial contamination. Such biofilms have high stability against action of disinfectants; moreover, certain disinfectants, e.g. chlorine, can even stimulate the vital activity of some hazardous microorganisms.

The biocides of the polyalkylene guanidine series (PAGs) produced by the Institute of Ecotechnologies have an important advantage in this respect. They can form polymeric films on the treated surfaces, which ensure a long-term biocidal activity and prevent formation of hazardous biofilms.

Field tests have shown that this can help to essentially improve the sanitary and hygienic state in the working premises of food industry.

The Moscow university for applied biotechnology has studied the impact of PAGs on the microflora specific for the food industry and food catering facilities. The original device “Bioscreen” was used in these studies.

The results of the studies of the activity against bacteria, yeasts, and mould have shown that PAGs have extremely high activity both against the vegetative cell form, but also against spores of mould fungi and yeasts.

High biocidal activity of PAGs allows recommending them for disinfecting production premises, technological equipment, and working clothes in the facilities of food industry (including bread production) and food catering, as well as for long-term protection of these facilities from mould.

The technology of PAG application at the food industry facilities was developed, which includes rubbing leakages on ceilings and walls, whitewashing with a PAG-containing mortar, painting walls and ceilings with Biopag-containing water emulsion or oil paints, disinfection of shelves and stands used for food storage, washing floorings and walls covered with Dutch tiles, treatment of personnel overalls. The developed technology has successfully passed field tests.

The Biopag disinfectant was also proven effective in case of its introduction into polymeric film materials. This results in production of biocidal packaging film, which can be used for ensuring longer shelf life of food. Introduction of Biopag also enhances the appearance of the film and increases its strength.

Alla SNEZHKO,

Ph.D. (chemistry)

Alexey BOGDANOV,

Manager of the Institute

of Ecotechnologies

Igor CHARKIN,

Manager of the Institute

of Ecotechnologies