Why cleaning with probiotics will go mainstream!

Emna Bouhajja is the head of biomolecular and bioinformatic research at Probiotic Group. She is an expert in the molecular analysis of environmental bacteria. And she is simply fascinated by probiotics, how extremely versatile they are and how they adapt their behavior according to the environmental conditions they live in. 

Probiotics have a long-lasting effect, still working up to 72h after application. How does that work?

Probiotics are living microorganisms; they use dirt composed of organic matter such as food that survives on surfaces. Their growth cycle depends mainly on the availability of a nutrient source. All starts when the initially released bacteria generate child bacteria as soon as there is organic matter in their surroundings. When the dirt is completely removed, they stop growing and die. This process could take up to 72h after the first application.

Why is this long-lasting effect so interesting when thinking about hands and surfaces? 

A long-lasting effect is very interesting around hands and surfaces because probiotics can go into the smallest crevices and keep cleaning at a microscopic level for up to three days. So, you save your time, and you reduce your cleaning frequency.

Hand soap with probiotics helps to optimize the skin’s flora and helps strengthen the immune system. How does that work?

Skin microflora are the first barrier against pathogens and are very sensitive to harsh disinfectants. Probiotic-based hand soaps load the skin with beneficial bacteria and thus help keep a balanced microflora and inhibit bad bacteria. Moreover, these balance-keepers reduce the development of disinfectant-resistant bacteria on the skin. Researchers have discovered that some native skin bacteria enhance the immune system against infectious microbes such as Staphylococcus aureus and boost the immune cells of the body to naturalize them. 

There is a lot of talk about indoor air quality lately. Certainly, we have been indoors a lot more this last year or so due to the Coronavirus, but it feels like we didn't really focus on it before. What is all the fuss about the quality of our indoor air?

It’s all about the impact of indoor air quality on our health. People who are more susceptible to air pollution such as babies, older adults, people who suffer from cardiovascular or respiratory diseases have a special concern about indoor air quality. However, in general, indoor air quality contributes to the level of good health and comfort of the occupants since breathing is a vital action. It has been reported that the concentration of some indoor pollutants, such as volatile organic matter and dust suspended in the air, could be two to five times higher than outdoors. This increased concentration is due to two main factors. The first factor is the insufficient ventilation in energy-efficient buildings, and the second is the increase of synthetic materials usage in building construction, furniture, hygiene products, household cleaners, etc. 

What are the consequences of bad indoor air quality? 

The main consequences of bad indoor air are, again, related to human health. Bad quality air could induce Sick Building Syndrome, as named by the US Environmental Protection Agency, where building occupants develop the same symptoms that disappear when they leave the building. The associated symptoms are acute discomfort such as irritation of eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. More severe diseases could be induced by bad air quality such as respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and even cancer. For example, allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold are known to be asthma triggers and asthmatics could have a severe asthma attack.

How do detergents contribute to the indoor air quality? 

Detergents contribute to the indoor air quality if they include chemical contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs are composed of hydrocarbons in the form of gas or particulate matter (e.g., benzene, alcohol). These compounds spread in the air and cause health and environmental damage.

Why are probiotics the future for the cleaning industry and should go mainstream?

Probiotics are the future of the cleaning industry because they are the best option to reduce the development of resistant microbes to antibiotics and disinfectants. This is a major concern, especially that the number of deaths per year caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria has reached 33,000, according to the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network in 2015. They are key players in balancing the microbiota and standing firm against multi-resistance microbes. These probiotics do not kill other bacteria, but they out-compete pathogens and reduce the resources that allow them to multiply; this is competitive exclusion. Nature is well-established in a way that natural microbiota are like a barrier against invaders. If the original microbiota are disrupted, infectious microbes take over and cause severe infections. 

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