Traditionally, the remediation of harmful substances entails saturating the environment with chemicals that solve the problem locally but initiate contamination elsewhere. No matter how safe the solution used in remediation purports to be, no environment responds well to excessive quantities of a foreign element. Using naturally derived and environmentally friendly rhamnolipid biosurfactant used in tailored proportions, saves time and money, and prevents the local environment from becoming saturated with unnatural quantities of remediation chemicals.
Precise calculation of ratios of Mono-rhamnolipid to Di-rhamnolipid, their carriers, and their dilutions for specific applications
We can apply the natural and non-toxic applications to deter the buildup of microbes and eliminate them before they cause problems.
*Rhamnolipid can be obtained through third parties. Currently working down inventory.*
Rhamnolipids are produced naturally in the environment. The bacteria pseudomonas aeruginosa
is found everywhere from indoors to outdoors, including but not limited to, counter tops in our
kitchen, lakes, streams and in soil. The chemical rhamnolipid is secreted by the bacteria to protect
itself and survive. Rhamnolipid is produced by a fermentation process similar to those used
to produce beer or other fermented products. Unique strains from our library of bacteria
are added to a fermentation tank and provided a nutrient source, such as an oil. Using
unique processes, properly controlled conditions, and manufacturing trade
secrets, low cost rhamnolipids are produced in industrial quantities. The rhamnolipids are
extracted, processed to remove any residual bacteria, purified, and the resultant mixture diluted
into a final product. The amount and mixture of rhamnolipid material in the final solution can be
precisely controlled. The rhamnolipid mixture can be further refined to produce certain foaming
characteristics and mixed according to specific agricultural applications such as a basic wetting
agent.
Rhamnolipid biosurfactants are made from living organisms. They are found in the environment and are non-toxic. Synthetic surfactants are man-made and mostly derived from petroleum, “oil-based” products. They have been widely used in industry for many years because they were relatively inexpensive. Synthetic surfactants have serious ecological impacts, both by depleting a non-renewal resource and by leaving non-biodegradable and harmful byproducts. They are destroying the environment.
Our rhamnolipid, RhamnoWash 10™, is a naturally derived biosurfactant, consisting of lipid and rhamnose sugar
molecules. On August 3, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a letter
to us regarding the listing of RhamnoWash 10™ as a Surface Washing Agent on National Oil and
Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) Product Schedule maintained by the
USEPA. In order to list RhamnoWash 10™, technical product data was submitted to the USEPA
pursuant to 40 CFR 300.915(b).
In 2004, The EPA issued a letter stating that rhamnolipid was accepted as a spray to kill pests on
agriculture products in the United States. It also noted that rhamnolipid was also registered “safe”
to be ingested by humans at very low concentrations.
On February 24, 2014, we were granted approval for rhamnolipid wastewater and soil washing
applications. The letter indicates that the Division of Waste Management accepts Rhamnolipid
Aqueous Solution for in situ bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons and metals in groundwater
and soil.
Helen Zhang, Professor at Memorial University, has successfully tested our
biosurfactants via an adsorption experiment for investigating cobalt removal from soil.
"Adsorption Behaviour of Cobalt onto Saline Soil with/without a Biosurfactant: Kinetic and Isotherm Studies"
Publication Manuscript
BAIYU (HELEN) ZHANG | Ph.D., P.Eng.
Canada Research Chair (Coastal Environmental Engineering)
Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
"When applying rhamnolipid, by increasing the initial concentration of Co, the remaining Co in the solution increased considerably at any initial concentration of rhamnolipid. The high value range of surface tension of solutions (60-70 mN/m) shows that rhamnnolipid has a high tendency of adsorption to the soil surface."
