The Sirius effect:

When it comes to environmentally-friendly cleaning agents, enzymes could be said to “have it all”: highly effective, safe, biodegradable, sustainably-produced…well, almost everything.  Most enzymes on the market today are produced using molecular biology methods that create genetically modified organisms (GMO), but Sirius has partnered with a supplier that does things a little differently. The result? Enzymes that, indeed, have it all.

The deliberate use of enzymes as a cleaning agent goes back to 1913, when the first patent for crude trypsin was issued to Rohm and Haas.  As you might imagine, though, grinding up pancreatic tissues from meat plants and then slapping a label on the box does not necessarily make for an attractive effective detergent, and it was not until 1963 that enzymes were finally recognized as a valuable addition to cleaning agents.

Molecular biology techniques have come a long way since then, and the enzymes in detergents are now adapted to be active at temperature ranges and under chemical conditions that nobody would have thought possible in the 1960s. Enzymes have since found their ways into many other products and processes, including winemaking, medicine, and animal feed processing.

Despite the benefits, though, they are not without their issues. Most enzymes are “made” by inserting DNA into bacteria, fungi or yeast, turning them into GMO. The bacteria/fungi/yeast produce the enzyme, and the manufacturer separates the enzymes from the rest of the sludge.  This means that they are GMO products, and despite nearly 30 years of existence, consumers continue to greet GMO products with some skepticism.   Additionally, the process to encourage the microorganism to take up the DNA and transcribe it can involve antibiotics, which could contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. 

Which is why Sirius is proud to announce its partnership with a producer of enzymes that does not use traditional molecular biology techniques in making its enzymes.  This means that their enzymes are made without gene manipulation or antibiotics – without sacrificing activity or product quality. Instead, our partner grows the bacteria/fungi/yeast in a natural way, selecting the strongest microbial strains; selective breeding does not involve GMO nor chemicals. They make all of the usual range of lipases, proteases, amylases, and cellulases that you would need for your detergent, and more. 

If you’re thinking of pivoting to the growing ecological cleaning or personal care markets, this could be something that sets your product apart from the rest. 

Curious to find out how these enzymes can enhance your product? 

Call us today.

© Copyright Sirius International Detergents BV | Sirius International Water Treatment BV

Share