1. How do enzymes and enzyme products work?
Enzymes are catalysts capable of breaking the biofilm polysaccharide matrix. This matrix is the cover that protects the biofilms of the external agents, as for example of the conventional detergents or disinfectants. Once the matrix is broken, the bacteria inside it are unprotected and can be destroyed by the action of a disinfectant.

An important advantage of the products of the Biofilm Remove range is that in addition to enzymes they also contain new generation surfactants, which give a great cleaning capacity. Therefore, these products eliminate biofilms but at the same time they clean the surfaces.

2. Does the biofilm Remove product range eliminate biofilms?
Biofilms can be perfectly removed from work surfaces. Biofilm Remove products break the biofilm and protect the bacteria from its interior so that they can be eliminated later with the use of a biocide.

3. What enzymes compound Itram enzyme detergents?
Each product is different and includes one, two, three or up to four different enzymes.

4. How can I tell if the enzymes are active?
This should be done through a protocol to quantify enzyme activity (usually a fluorimetric or spectrophotometric method is used). They are not fast or standard methods, requiring a protocol to be set up.

5. Do the enzymes leave residue on the surfaces?
To be able to verify that once the enzyme products have been applied and rinsed, no enzyme residues are left on the surfaces, specially designed swabs can be used for the detection of protein residues. In the market there are swabs with a limit of detection of 1μg. For more information, see “Evalutaion of enzymes remasters after enzymatic treatments”.

6. Will enzymes affect food? Is this enzymatic technology approved to be used in the food industry?
Itram enzymatic detergents are perfectly safe to be used on food contact surfaces. As when using any other detergent, it is important to take into account a good rinsing process after the use of enzymatic detergents. If It is not possible to rinse properly, the consumer will not be taking any risks to his or her health. For more information, you can order the “Enzymatic Technology Food Safety Certificate”, certificate that corroborates it.

7. How can I turn off enzymes?
Enzymes can be disabled by several methods:

pH changes. An increase of pH above 10 (alkaline treatments), or a lowering of pH between 2-4 (acidic treatments).
Increasing temperature above 65 º C.
Use of oxidizing biocides, such as the use of chlorinated or peracetic products. Biocides with quaternary ammonium are not the most suitable biocides to inactivate enzymes.
Let them dry. If enzymes are not maintained in an aqueous environment, they are inactivated.

8. Do the enzymes only break the biofilms?
The enzymes are of specific substrate, which means that only transform and decompose the type of organic matter that fits perfectly with them as can be the polysaccharide matrix of biofilms.

9. Can enzymes, interfere with yeasts in the production of beer and/or cheese?
No, if the enzymatic products have been well rinsed, there will be no interaction with yeast or during the production of beer or during cheese production.

10. How do you generally use Itram enzyme products?
For open systems:
Enzymatic products for open surfaces (foaming) are applied with hot water (45-55 º C) between 1-3% (depending on the product).
They are applied in the same way as conventional detergents (foam equipment, immersion, manual cleaning).
A disinfectant should always be applied after an enzymatic treatment.
For more details ask for application protocols.
For closed systems:
The enzymatic products for CIP (non-foaming) are applied with hot water (45-55 º C) between 1-2% (depending on the product).
They are applied by CIP recirculation.
A disinfectant should always be applied after an enzymatic treatment.
For more details ask for application protocols.

11. What is the difference between the EnzyJet and the EnzyJet Plus?
EnzyJet and EnzyJet plus have the same enzyme composition, the difference is that the EnzyJet Plus has a higher concentration of enzymes. The EnzyJet Plus is specially designed for use on 1% regulated foam equipment and the EnzJet is designed to be applied to 3% regulated systems.

12. How do we know if these products work?
After enzymatic treatment, the results of microbiological controls will indicate that biofilm problems are under control. It is also advisable to check biofinder before and after enzymatic treatments.

13. Do you have any specific cases studied?
Yes, look at the “Case Studies” section.

14. Are enzymatic products patented?
Yes, the patent number is ES2464872.

15. What is the useful life of enzymatic detergents?
The stabilization technique used by Itram allows to have a useful life of enzymatic detergents of 18 months, except for the Tensio CIP which is two years.

16. Once the products are diluted with water, how long will the enzymes be active?
It depends on the enzyme and the formulation, but in general, the enzymes will be active for 12-24h.

17. Do These products require specific storage conditions?
Recommended storage should be between 5 – 25 °c. The storage must be in the original container, intact, dry and well closed. The product should be stored insulated from heat and electrical sources. Do Not smoke in the storage area. If possible, avoid the direct incidence of solar radiation. Keep away from oxidizing agents and acids. It Cannot be stored at temperatures above 60 º C.

18. How can they be compared to other chemicals on the market?
Enzymatic products have a wide range of advantages compared to conventional detergents. Enzymatic products are not corrosive to equipment, act at a neutral pH, do not affect the environment, are biodegradable and are safer to use. These products are designed to be used on the same cleaning equipment as conventional detergents.

19. How often do I have to apply enzymatic products to my plant?
There are two types of treatments: shock treatments and preventive treatments. Shock treatments are applied when we previously know that we have biofilm problems. Preventive treatments are recommended to be applied to prevent the emergence of biofilms; they should be applied periodically depending on factors such as the type of product manufactured, frequency cleaning, infrastructures… In addition, we recommend collaborating with the quality department to determine this frequency of application as they have a clear understanding of the microbiological problems of the area. This department will be able to specify every time the microbiological problems appear and, based on this, you will be able to create a protocol/routine of application of the treatments. It Is recommended to apply the treatment once a week, every 14 days or whatever the quality department indicates. Application protocols can be ordered from Itram.

20. At what pH do you have to work?
Each enzyme has an optimal range of work. Itram recommends working with your products in a pH range of around 7-9.

21. What is the limit pH of enzymes? What would happen if the enzyme is mixed with an acid or basic solution?
For the good functioning of enzymes, pH is crucial. If mixed with acid or basic solutions, they will be deactivated and will probably become denatured. Biofilm Remove products should be applied at an optimum pH between 7-9.

22. What is the optimum temperature for applying the enzymes of the biofilm Remove products?
The working temperature for these products must be between 45 º C – 55 º C to achieve optimal results. At lower temperatures, enzymes also work, but their activity will be slower, in these cases it is recommended To lengthen the contact time and/or the concentration of the product. At temperatures higher than recommended, enzymes will be denatured and deactivated.

23. Is the action of enzymes immediate?
Yes, it has been demonstrated, with many bibliographic references, that the action of hydrolysis of enzymes is instantaneous when the conditions of pH and temperature are optimal.

24. How many treatments are needed to remove biofilms completely?
In shock treatments It is recommended to perform 3-5 consecutive treatments to completely eliminate the biofilms. Depending on the type of biofilm and maturity we apply 3 or 5 treatments.

25. Are there any limitations to use?
The most common limitation is temperature. Low temperatures decrease the kinetics of enzymes.
Enzymes are not stable at extreme pH or when the ionic force is too high. Oxidants and reducers affect enzymes irreversibly.

26. Are products safe to handle?
The use of enzymes in Itram hygiene products is safe for the user. Specific tests have been carried out that show that enzyme products applied with foam equipment do not increase the risk of inhalation allergy. Specifically Itram and its enzyme supplier have carried out a risk assessment for the application of their products with foam equipment. The levels found are below 15ng/m3, completely correct levels that ensure the safety of the applicator. However, in accordance with safety standards, when there is a risk of aerosol generation it is recommended to use a mask with a P3 filter during application and rinse at high or medium pressure in addition to all the material normally used with chemicals. See the safety tab for additional information about our products.

Enzymatic products are much less aggressive than traditional cleaning products based on soda, acid, quaternary ammonium or other oxidizing agents.

27. What are the environmental hazards? What impact do they have on water purification plants?
There are no environmental risks caused by enzymes. Enzymes used in enzymatic detergents are the same enzymes secreted by bacteria in water purification processes. In other words, enzymes will not give problems in water treatment plants, unlike conventional products that can create problems due to drastic pH changes and destabilization of microbiota. Enzymes are proteins and therefore are 100% biodegradable. The tridimensional structure that gives the activity to the enzyme is destabilized by several external factors such as changes in pH, temperature and the presence of water (by hydration of certain chemical groups).