Effective removal of biofilm in laundry environments using the specific combination of common surfactants

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT

Presenting Author(s)

HK

Hiroki Kijitori, MS

Manager
Kao Corporation
Wakayama-Shi, Japan

Co-Author(s)

SS

Shiho Saeki

Research Scientist
Kao Corporation, Japan
TK

Takanori Kotera

Principal Research Scientist
Kao Corporation, Japan
SM

Satoshi Morikawa

Manager
Kao Corporation, Japan
YT

Yuuichiro Tase

Director
Kao Corporation, Japan

Abstract:

Majority of microorganisms on Earth exist in the form of biofilms, posing significant challenges in various fields such as healthcare, water treatment and food processing. The laundry environment is no exception, as biofilms are present on clothing and within washing machines, causing unpleasant odors and visible stains. Biofilms exhibit a robust structure covered with extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) secreted by microorganisms, making it challenging to remove through conventional laundry procedures.

In this study, we have found that the specific combination of common surfactants is effective for removing biofilms in laundry environments. Results from Small-Angle X-ray (SAX) analysis suggested that the key aspect of combining these surfactants lies in their ability to disrupt the crystalline structure formed by EPS.

It is expected that by applying this technology to laundry detergents, biofilms in laundry environments can be removed effectively through routine laundry procedures, leading to significant improvements in unpleasant odors and visible stains.