<< Return to News

What’s Your SPEC?

As consumers, we constantly search for a particular level of quality in everything we purchase. From toilet tissue, cleaning products, or microbial products, there is an expectation to deliver upon standards. Those standards are established through trust, and it’s incredibly important to uphold that trust to keep the customer coming back.

MDG is passionate about delivering a product that meets that high and personal standard. A standard we achieve each time through our trusted processes and quality control (QC) testing.

Compatible ingredients such as preservatives, dyes, surfactants, and fragrances are recommended from a list of stability tested ingredients guaranteeing a two-year shelf life. Once an existing or newly formulated product is created, its blended and the SPECs (specifications) are tested via our quality control lab. SPECS such as the effective amount of bacteria for the application, factors that prevent spoilage (pH and preservatives), and making sure there are no unwanted organisms such as pathogens present in the final product. The SPECS are essential to consider the level of quality when QC checks a concentrated Bacillus product, see below:  

  • CFU: AKA, CFU/g or ‘Colony Forming Units’ per gram.  This value represents the actual number of culturable cells in a gram of material. This SPEC is at the top of the list because the CFU or “count” drives the monetary value of the product.   
  • Color: A couple of different considerations here. Most liquid batches of Bacillus deliver an off-white to tan concentrate.  However, there are strains that may provide a hue that can be darker (reddish brown, brown or grey). The level of turbidity should also be considered, especially when the further formulation is required. When setting your specs, consider how this may affect the visual characteristic of your final product, and if darker strains are acceptable. In liquid concentrates, customers often require dyes and fragrances. It is important to determine the hue as well as the intensity of the hue when establishing a color SPEC. 
  • Odor/Fragrance:  As with odor, there are a couple things to consider here. Most Bacillus products emit an earthy, moss-like odor. Keep in mind that this is a natural organism with a natural odor, and some may not find it favorable.  Take the time to experience this characteristic, as alterations can be a signal for off-SPEC product.  When you experience an odor of “rotten eggs,” or other objectionable aroma, it is advised to get your product tested. In liquid concentrates, customers often require a specific fragrance. It is important to determine fragrance type and intensity when establishing this SPEC. 
  • pH: In liquid products, it is advised to maintain the pH at a neutral level or optimal shelf life. 
  • Others: In addition to the crucial SPECs above, many customers may require supplementary characteristics in their products. A few of these include:
    • Specific gravity (liquids) or density (powders) 
    • Viscosity (when there is interest in a “thicker” type of liquid) 
    • Solubility 
    • Surfactants as needed 

To learn more about our quality control, listen to MDG’s Quality Control Manager Ben Clark in MDG: The Podcast Quality Control with Ben Clark.  

To learn more about the SPECS for your wastewater or I&I products contact us through our wastewater department https://www.mdgbio.com/wastewater-contact/ or I&I department https://www.mdgbio.com/industrial-institutional-contact/ 

Search Insights
Recently Posted Insights

The Importance of Maintaining Synthetic Grass

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...

The Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Septic System

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...

Making a Difference: Volunteering to Improve Our Community

We believe that everyone can make a difference, but only through action. MDG recognizes the need for sustainable solutions to the world’s largest problems: Lack of accessible food Limited access to clean water, and Poor sanitation and disease These issues compel us...

Global Leader in Bacillus Fermentation Exhibits at RAFT®15

Oak Creek, WI (October 17, 2023) - Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) is exhibiting at Recent Advances in Fermentation Technology (RAFT®) 15th conference on October 29-November 1, 2023. The Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (SIMB) organized the...

Bacillus Manufacturing and R&D Company Exhibits at Aquatech Amsterdam

Microbial Discovery Group Exhibits and Presents Bioaugmentation Success in Wastewater Oak Creek, WI (October 3, 2023) - Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) will exhibit at Aquatech Amsterdam 2023, the world’s leading trade exhibition for process, drinking, and wastewater,...

Trusted Process: MDG’s Gold Standard

MDG’s customer-centric approach to quality manufacturing and support ensures consistent, repeatable results for our customers. This is done through our trusted process; our gold standard at MDG. Can you be confident in our manufacturing process yielding consistent...

Bacillus-based Cleaning with Jennifer Cray

This is MDG The: Podcast with experts in the field of microbiology, teaching us about the world we live in and how Bacillus is shaping it. We put this summary together taken from the transcript, for more details and to hear straight from Jenny, head to the podcast!...

50+ Strains: Why We Supply

  Part of what is driving Microbial Discovery Group’s (MDG) current expansion is our desire to produce 50+ strains. Why do we want to be a Bacillus company that produces 50+ strains? Essentially, to offer the best service and products for our customers. Below are...

What is bioaugmentation?

At MDG, we continue to discover all the possibilities to treat wastewater with Bacillus. Through years of research and development, we’ve found that bioaugmentation is the answer for wastewater treatment. Bioaugmentation is the process of adding scientifically...

Related News