MDG News and Updates

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.  

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 […]

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!

Over the past decade, clean ingredient incentive groups worldwide have taken a hard look at manufacturers of products used for Industrial, Institutional, and Consumer (IIC) cleaning and the environmental impact these products elicit. Many commodity ingredients of the past decades have experienced a great deal of scrutiny and limitation in use as of late. Some of these may look familiar: Nonylphenol ethoxylates Phthalates Harsh caustics and acids Phosphates Harsh chemicals Silicates Solvents These are just a handful of types of ingredients that were formerly used in abundance but now have experienced restrictions by many environmentally conscious agencies. Manufacturers and distributors in the IIC sector are grappling with finding environmentally friendlier alternatives to these ingredients. There is a need for cleaning ingredients with a lower bioburden, to bridge the gap between the effective products of yesterday, and the cleaner products of tomorrow. Amidst the increasing restrictions on ingredients used in cleaning products, Bacillus has emerged as a unique and effective solution. To say that “Bacillus is biodegradable” is a gross underestimation of the power of Bacillus. Bacillus is the “Biodegrader”, excelling at addressing stains by digesting and eliminating organic materials at their source. In formulating cleaning products, it is worth considering laws and regulations regarding […]

For treating wastewater systems with bioaugmentation, spring is the perfect time for treatment to begin. During the spring months, temperatures begin to rise, increasing microbial activity. This is a time to get ahead of seasonal challenges and address greater needs for wastewater treatment. Microbial Discovery Group’s (MDG) wastewater technical team has visited countless facilities around the world and sees the same common problems when spring approaches: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), odors, sludge, fat, oil, and grease (FOG). Sludge & FOG Treating in the springtime is a game-changing practice when it comes to sludge and FOG. The primary time to biologically digest and remove sludge and FOG from any system is the summertime. Seeking out locations early in spring affected by sludge and FOG, such as aeration basins, lagoons, and sludge tanks can reduce the buildup before things accumulate or worsen during warm months. H2S & Odor As temperatures and microbial activity increase, wastewater becomes anaerobic faster and H2S production increases. These conditions lead to excessive odors and H2S generation as seen in Figure 1. At MDG, our Bacillus bacteria can preventatively reduce the production of H2S and odors during these times. Additionally, they can reduce or prevent the need for extensive and reactive chemical treatment […]

Unlock the secret to a fresh and clean bathroom experience for your customers with MDG’s SporActiv® Bacillus.   What is Uric Acid?  Uric acid, one component found in urine, forms a solid crystalline salt residue that can build up on bathroom surfaces over time. This buildup can be difficult to remove and trap unwanted odors. With the help of SporActiv® Bacillus products, you can help stop the problem. Backed by our Real Science, Trusted Process, and Proven Success, SporActiv® Bacillus is effective in breaking down uric acid, paving the way for a cleaner, more hygienic space. SporActiv® Bacillus Research  At MDG, Real Science matters; it is our foundation. Discover the science behind SporActiv® Bacillus and its ability to persist on surfaces, continuously metabolizing uric acid long after application. Our findings, highlighted in our research document below, showcase the superior performance of SporActiv®. Ready to transform your customers’ bathroom maintenance routine? Get in touch with one of our experts to learn more about microbial based cleaning solutions. CONTACT US    

The rising demand for artificial grass and turf has led to thousands of installations across America, with over a thousand more being added annually.² Schools, municipalities, and businesses are increasingly adopting artificial grass and turf as a sustainable solution. However, it is common for unwanted contaminants and odors to accumulate on artificial grass and turf from various sources such as oil and grease from vehicles and equipment, debris, waste from animals, and more. Regardless of the type of activity occurring, owners want to ensure their artificial grass and turf are maintained. The importance of synthetic grass maintenance is becoming increasingly relevant to your customers in the industrial and institutional market. Artificial Grass vs Turf: What’s the Difference? “Artificial grass” and “turf” are often used interchangeably, but they have minor differences². Both names refer to different types of synthetic grass³. Typically, the pristine grass fields seen in residential or commercial landscaping applications, big club stadiums, and professional sports fields are known in the industry as artificial grass. Artificial grass has longer blades, providing a more natural appearance, and is enhanced with additional cushion or infill for falls and natural ball bounce. Artificial grass may even have shock pads for players, along […]

What do many commercial, residential, industrial and institutional facilities all have in common? If you said a door, you’re technically correct; but for the purpose of today’s article the correct answer was Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)! All of your customers facilities have drains, and drains are sought-after hosts for FOG. FOG commonly builds up in pre-rinse stations and dishwashers, compartment sinks, mop sinks, floor drains, floor sinks and trough drains. The accumulation of FOG can be caused by a multitude of different sources; lubricating oils, road construction, cooking, and more. Regardless of the cause, FOG causes costly problems when left untreated. With FOG as a leading cause of drain and sewer backups, a high-quality product that gets rid of fats, oils and grease should be a staple in your Industrial and Institutional product line. The infographic below illustrates the benefits of a high-quality bacteria-based treatment solution against the alternatives, the problems associated with harsh chemicals or leaving the problem untreated. MDG specializes in providing Bacillus concentrate products to manufacturers in the I&I industry. With a foundation in research and development, MDG excels in the isolation, characterization and fermentation of Bacillus. Our SporActiv™ line contains a combination of Bacillus strains […]

Bacillus Species Identification Methods: Definitions, Pros, and Cons Understanding the effectiveness of Bacillus products is easy to understand because in many cases we can visibly see the difference. But, it is hard to see what exactly makes up the product. Like most companies, you have probably asked suppliers “what species and how many strains of Bacillus do you have?” This may have been followed up with a straight answer from the supplier but you found that your lab results didn’t match up. Or, maybe you have asked that question only to be replied to with more questions. Like most suppliers, we have been asked that question many times. Seems like a simple question, right? At first glance this question appears straight-forward, but in actuality it is fairly complex. It is important to understand what contributes to the complexity of this question, why suppliers respond the way they do, and the best practices for getting an accurate answer. The Big Question: What species and how many strains of Bacillus do you have in a particular product? The Bacillus genus contains a broad range of species and strains with a wide variety of physiologic capabilities; this is precisely what we love about […]

According to a study by the EPA 53% of home septic systems were found to be ill-maintained. Ill-maintained septic systems that start with minor issues can turn into septic system failures, resulting in backups and odors, leaving your customers with quite the mess to clean up and having to dip into their rainy-day funds. As a cleaning product manufacturer, your ability to provide your customers with reliable septic system maintenance demonstrates your commitment to help prevent problems, earn their trust, and save them money. Like household appliances that require maintenance, septic tanks are no exception. Neglecting to maintain a residential or commercial septic tank can lead to sewage odors around the septic tank or drainfield, as well as sewage back-up through toilets, drains, and sinks. Maintaining your customers’ septic systems can include a microbial-based solution such as Bacillus which will help to continuously break down and remove solids and odors to help prevent septic system failures. Treatment with Bacillus-based bacteria will increase overall bacterial activity in the community and help to digest the excess organic material that can lead to clogs, backups, and odors. Septic systems are constantly accumulating new organic material and new members to the microbial community that […]