MDG News and Updates

We are proud to have been recognized as a finalist for the 2024 Wisconsin Innovation Awards! This annual award is given to companies and individuals across multiple business sectors who are developing groundbreaking ideas and driving innovation in the state of Wisconsin. One of MDG’s many innovation pipelines is dedicated to identifying microbial strains for therapeutic use in probiotics. We use our extensive knowledge of microbial genomics alongside testing methods like in vivo functional screening to discover probiotics that have tangible and clear benefits in the human body. “Each person’s microbiome is unique, which makes developing effective probiotic therapies a complex challenge,” says Kyle Leistikow, our CORE Innovation–Research Manager. “This innovation enables us to more precisely identify and evaluate probiotic strains with specific, beneficial effects—helping us unlock the potential of these tiny microbes to address big health problems.” Check out the video below to hear how MDG’s innovation is helping us fulfill our mission to Feed, Clean, Save the World.

At MDG, our foundation is Real Science. We have over twenty years of experience creating Bacillus-based solutions for our customers across various markets, and we stand behind the ingredients we produce. As the Human Health market grows, our emphasis on research and innovation makes us a trusted partner in probiotic ingredients for suppliers and manufacturers in the human health space. Read on to learn about our capabilities and discover how you can grow your business with our partnership. Strain Discovery and R&D Our microbiologists have generated libraries of over ten thousand isolated Bacillus strains that continue to grow as we innovate. Using various techniques that allow us to characterize strains both functionally and genomically, we conduct thorough screening to find strains with the best performance attributes for your probiotic product. With ongoing clinical trials, we’re keeping safety and ingredient effectiveness top of mind as we research, test, and validate. Manufacturing Processes MDG’s production facilities follow Good Manufacturing Practices and are FSMA-compliant and HACCP-certified for food and feed production. We emphasize strain purity and efficient, economic scale-up of your probiotic ingredients. Every aspect of our process ensures that the final product includes the intended strains in the specified ratios, resulting in […]

Para acceder a la versión en español, dar clic aquí. Our mission at MDG is to Feed, Clean, Save the World, and our partners are an important part of furthering that vision. We partner with distributors around the globe to help their customers achieve cleaner wastewater. Based in the United States, our skilled technical service and sales teams are knowledgeable about wastewater treatment markets throughout the world, including the Latin American region. Learn about the wastewater treatment solutions we offer in light of Latin America’s increasing regulations and find out how you can become our partner! Market concerns… Water quality can be a significant problem for wastewater treatment facilities in Latin America. Government regulations surrounding COD, BOD, and nitrogen have increased across the region for facilities like lagoons and activated sludge systems. This is because, to combat the current scarcity, many places in Latin America are recycling water and depending on treatment facilities to clean it. Some facilities are struggling to keep up with the changes, particularly in situations with old equipment and a lack of proper infrastructure. Latin American wastewater treatment facilities need an affordable and effective solution that cleans well and gets their wastewater up to standard. With […]

When you partner with MDG for your custom fermentation needs, you can be confident that our microbiologists and production experts are committed to delivering a final culture that fits your specifications. We follow our Trusted Process closely, fostering success for our customers. But what does that process look like? Read on to discover what our custom microbial fermentation process entails, from pilot scale to commercialization.   Part One: Rapid Scale-Up When you begin the custom fermentation process with MDG, your Bacillus strain will go through a process development program. This stage typically takes about twelve weeks to complete. The process development steps are as follows:   MDG receives your strain in our in-house labs. Our microbiologists streak your strain to ensure purity. An initial growth screen begins, during which our specialists test your Bacillus strain’s growth ability on a multitude of different media. Growth media is narrowed down to a few top choices, and additional testing is performed to find the optimal media for your strain. Once we’ve found the right growth media, we will grow your strain on a pilot scale, harvest and dry the culture, and send it to you for evaluation.   After you give your approval […]

At MDG, we are Bacillus experts with over 20 years of experience growing pure cultures for our customers. We are continually honing our methods to find the most effective, efficient way to create quality microbial ingredients, and one contributing factor is purity testing. From performing testing through strain typing methods to producing and selling only single-strain tanks, let’s explore the process of purity testing to find out why creating effective microbial products happens one strain at a time. What is strain purity testing, and how is it done? Strain purity testing is the process of checking a growing Bacillus culture to ensure it is a match for the target strain. Testing can also confirm that there are no non-target organisms present in the culture. Purity testing can be done in a multitude of ways. We have a variety of genomic methods at our disposal that allow for thorough, efficient testing of each Bacillus culture. Testing is conducted at several steps of the process, including: Seed bank Inoculation flask Fermentation tank Dried culture (finished product) Monitoring the purity of the culture at multiple points allows us to catch and correct any potential errors as soon as possible and keep the process […]

As summer begins, outdoor events, construction projects, and gatherings become much more frequent, and portable toilets usually found at these locations can present a significant odor challenge. Managing those odors is essential for maintaining both public and environmental health. At MDG, we have extensive experience in microbial technologies, and our advanced biological solutions provide an innovative approach to tackling these odors effectively. Odors Have an Impact Odor control affects not only user comfort but also the overall acceptance and viability of portable toilets at public and commercial venues. When not properly addressed, the odors that portable toilets cause can cast the event—and potentially the portable sanitation suppliers—in a negative light. Effective odor management, on the other hand, can enhance customer satisfaction and bolster the reputation of distributors and event organizers alike. The Impact of Our Products Microbial solutions are a great way to combat odors, particularly in the application of portable sanitation. Unlike traditional chemical options, our biologically based treatments utilize Bacillus to digest waste materials, effectively reducing odors. A solution like this not only minimizes unpleasant smells but also contributes to a healthier environment by reducing the reliance on harsh chemical agents. MDG’s microbial products are also created with […]

Working in the wastewater treatment industry comes with its challenges. Your customers may face problems like sludge buildup, odors, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production, and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) accumulation. As their supplier, you need a solution you can count on to help them succeed. That’s where we come in with our innovative, research-based, and hands-on platform: Biotifx®. Our Biotifx® platform includes access to our wastewater treatment product line, expert-led training to drive application success in the field, and continual support from our team members throughout the sales process. We break these benefits into three main categories: People, Products, and Programs. Read on to learn more about each of these three pillars and how MDG’s Biotifx® platform can help you bring successful Bacillus-based solutions to your customers working in wastewater treatment. People When you partner with MDG, you can trust that we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals in the marketplace. From training and field support to assistance with administrative tasks like product line development and private labeling, we walk with you on your wastewater bioaugmentation journey to show you just how successful you can be. We know how important it is to talk to real people to […]

In 2021, our growth journey took a significant leap as we secured an 80,000 ft2 facility in Oak Creek, WI. This expansive space now accommodates our production, blending, packaging, warehouse, three laboratories, and supplementary office areas. In addition, an external structure was built to house a 34-ft spray dryer and pilot spray dryer. The completion of the MDG Oak Creek facility in Fall 2022 marked a major milestone. Since then, we’ve settled into our new Oak Creek home while amplifying operations at our Franklin facility. Our Franklin facility, now with four fermentors and a 35,000L total capacity, is a key player in our growth. As we continue to develop, our custom fermentation capacity is growing in current and future markets. Our driving force is applying Real Science, to a Trusted Process, yielding Proven Success. Contact Us to learn more about our evolving Custom Fermentation capabilities and how to become part of our ongoing journey!

At MDG, we succeed by creating an environment to attract, develop, and retain the best and the brightest people who embrace our values. Learn all about Sierra Garcia, our Engagement Coordinator.   What is your role at Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) and when did you join the team? I am the Engagement Coordinator at MDG, and I joined back in April 2022 as Receptionist but quickly found a passion for our engagement and onboarding needs at MDG.   What initially drew you to MDG? I was a referral of one of our Bio-Manufacturing Operators and he would always share stories about the CEO, Mike King, the culture, and the work. After interviewing and finding out the mission, I knew this was where I wanted to spend my career. Helping to Feed, Clean, Save the World!   What about the work you do at MDG that drives and fulfills you? I can say the biggest thing that drives me is the people I work with. In hectic times, my MDG team can brighten my day. When I’ve done something good, my MDG team notices and cheers me on. When I see one of my co-workers having a bad day, I encourage […]

Unlocking the mysteries of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) mitigation and management within wastewater is crucial for maintaining a sustainable and efficient system. In our upcoming webinar, we delve into the reasons why FOG poses a significant challenge, exploring its impact on sewers, pipes, and interceptors, lagoons, and activated sludge systems.   Josiah Menako, MDG’s Technical Support Lead, will uncover the disruptive effects FOG has on wastewater systems, from collection systems to treatment plants, presenting a comprehensive view of the added complexities. Menako will discuss the value of improving and controlling FOG, shedding light on opportunities for decision-makers and providing real-world cases for reference.   The webinar will not only address the problems but also present viable solutions, covering point source mitigation, mechanical removal, chemical additions (including enzymes, degreasers, and caustic substances), and the fascinating realm of biological digestion involving genetics, enzymes, and bacteria.   Don’t miss out on this enlightening session, complete with insightful case studies that showcase successful strategies for combating FOG in wastewater systems.  Unlocking Solutions: Managing FOG in Wastewater with Bioaugmentation is taking place on March 14, 1 PM CST. Click here to register.