1. Who has developed BioFinder?
Biofinder is the result of a joint research project between ITRAM HYGIENE, the UAB (Autonomous University of Barcelona) and the LEITAT Technology Centre. Experts in chemistry, microbiology and hygiene and food safety have been involved In the project.

2. Mechanism of action? How does foam originate?
Biofinder is based on an enzymatic reaction, reacts with catalase enzymes from microorganisms. When Biofinder detects positive catalase microorganisms, a white bubbling is generated that contrasts with the orange color of the product.

3. What is the minimum number of microorganisms that should be on a surface to obtain a positive reaction?
For a visually positive reaction there should be over 4 logarithmic units. At least Biofinder concentration,it also reacts, but it is not visible at first sight.

4. What is the cause of the foam reaction for 10 min?
Thanks to its surfactant formula and its viscous nature, the production of oxygen bubbles is maintained over a period of time, allowing a visual observation for at least 10 min or longer.

5. Can there be a false positive reaction?
Yes, and to avoid falsely positive reactions, we recommend applying the product on surfaces after cleaning and disinfecting. Some Foods, not all, contain catalases and can cause a positive reaction. However, this reaction would indicate small levels of organic contamination, which is linked to a potential risk of growth of microorganisms and the consequent formation of biofilms. In This case Biofinder would be acting as an indicator of hygiene.
If Biofinder is applied on a oxidized surface it will also give us false positives, since the oxide decompose the peroxide and will give bubbling.

6. Biofinder, is it similar to ATP?
Both are enzymatic methods, but Biofinder is only qualitative and the detection of ATP by bioluminescence is semi-quantitative. In addition, the ATP method detects the presence of the ATP molecule, which is equivalent to an indirect assessment of the presence of microorganisms or other contaminants containing ATP molecules. Biofinder only detects positive catalase microorganisms.

7. What type of biofilm does Biofinder detect?
It detects all types of biofilms where there are positive catalase microorganisms, whether bacteria, yeast or fungi. It will not detect monospecific biofilms composed of negative catalase microorganisms or anaerobic biofilms.

8. List of microorganisms tested with Biofinder?
Listeria monocytogenes
Escherichia coli
Staphylococcus aureus
Cronobacter sakazakii
Salmonella spp.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Penicillium Nalgiovense
Saccharomyces cerevisiae

9. Does it work with fungi?
Yes, if microorganisms are aerobic such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, etc. Because this type of microorganisms are larger, with the same number of cells (eg: 4 logarithmic units) it would cause a more visible reaction than with bacteria.

10. Is it only selective to a type of bacterium?
Not just a type of bacteria, but a type of microorganisms. Our product will only react to a biofilm composed of one or more microorganisms containing the catalase enzyme, i.e. catalase-positives (bacteria, yeasts and fungi). Remember that it detects an enzymatic reaction, a property present in many living microorganisms.

11. Does it have an HA record?
No, because being a non-biocide product does not require it. The main application of Biofinder is to detect biofilms, not eliminate them.

12. How do I remove biofinder after application?
It is Sufficient to make a normal rinse, with abundant water or to remove it with a damp cloth.

13. Can Biofinder leave toxic waste after clearing?
Not if the clearing has been adequate, since the components in the percentage in which they find in the formula, and according to the current legislation, are not considered dangerous. Food Safety Certificate Is available.

14. On which surfaces can I use biofinder?
Biofinder can be used on any surface. It can be applied on stainless steel, Polypropylene, epoxy coated Surfaces, high density Polyethylene, borosilicate Glass, Ceramics…

15. Is surface roughness a factor to consider?
No, the product has been tested on common surfaces within the food industry. The rougher surfaces are reservoirs suitable for the adhesion of microorganisms; Biofinder is a slightly viscous liquid, that is why it will not be difficult to penetrate the roughness, therefore, the reaction can be visualized.

16. Does it work on textile surfaces with microbial contamination?
Yes, it will react if there is a sufficient group of microorganisms, a biofilm, above 104 catalase-positive bacterial cells.

17. If we apply the product to a floor and does not bubble (floor of a bath that is not clean) what can be the explanation?
That there is not a sufficient number of catalase-positive microorganisms, and there is no biofilm formation.

18. Does it take longer to react in cold areas?
Enzymes always have an optimal reaction temperature. Below the optimal range its activity slows down and above, being a protein, it will get to the point where it denatures and loses its activity completely. There is a study where it is mentioned that the catalase of Micrococcus luteus (industrial enzyme) is optimal of 10 – 55 °c with relative activity of 95 – 100%. Above 55°C the activity begins to decrease as the temperature increases until its total loss.
The reaction will be slow only if the environment is very cold; In these cases it is recommended to wait 3-5min to be able to say if a reaction is positive or negative.

19. Should the bubbling be in the whole scattered solution, or is it enough to occur in a single point to be considered positive?
The formation of foam will be observed in the site where is the contamination by biofilms. Therefore, it should not necessarily be in the entire area where the product was applied.

20. The angle of the spray line to the surface, can it be any or is there any suggested angle?
It is enough that you can spray gently on the surface to prevent bubbles from being generated by applying it. You can do this on horizontal surfaces with an approximate angle of 45 °, or on vertical surfaces directly, with an angle between 45 – 135 °.

21. What factors can affect the activity of the Biofinder?
Improper storage, such as exposure to high temperatures or solar rays.

22. Does Biofinder react with the beer stone?
If there is beer stone and reacts with Biofinder will be sure because there will be organic salts or residues that have served as substrates to adhere and feed microorganisms forming biofilms. The beer stone is usually made up of oxalate salts, which may be calcium or magnesium, but may also be from other organic salts. This causes the growth of microorganisms adhering to them.

23. Can we say that Biofinder may be a verifier of the quality of disinfection?
Biofinder is a verifier of the absence of biofilms in a naturally aerobic environment and, consequently, in the whole sanitizing procedure.
Biofinder is a complement for hygiene control within the cleaning and disinfecting program. Its use is advisable before resuming production to verify the absence of biofilms at the critical control points or to control those critical control points where there could be strains with ease and persistence to develop biofilms.

24. Is Biofinder a substitute for the swabs for hygiene control?
Biofinder is a complementary tool to the use of swabs, with Biofinder we detect biofilms and not free bacteria; and with the swabs we detect free bacteria and not biofilms.

25. How many applications or analyses can be made with a Biofinder bottle?
The number will depend on the surface you want to cover, for example:
5 ml of Biofinder (approx. 6 sprays) can cover an area of 10 x 10 cm (100 cm2). Therefore, 1 bottle with 500 ml = 100 applications approx. If we compare Biofinder with other methods such as swab, contact plate, ATP… Biofinder is the most economical method of validation of hygiene.

26. If my target is a negative catalase bacteria, will Biofinder not react with the biofilms of these catalase-negative microorganisms?
The hypothesis is that biofilms developed naturally in an aerobic environment are mixed. Therefore, there could be minimally some positive catalase species that would allow us to visualize the reaction even though the vast majority are catalase-negative microorganisms.

27. In The dairy industry, the environmental microflora is dominated By negative catalase bacteria such as lactic acid (Lactobacillus spp., Pediococcus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus spp.), Would Biofinder, react in this case?
Lactic acid bacteria are bacteria that require little oxygen to reproduce (facultative anaerobic). The first three ones give problems of alteration in the brewing industry, the fourth one is more common and indicates poor hygiene practices (E. Fecaelis) and the fifth one, S. Agalactie, gives mastitis problems. As in the previous question, they will rarely form a biofilm on their own in an aerobic environment, they will be usually mixed with other microorganisms. In this way, it is when they could be detected with Biofinder, if there were in the mixture positive catalase aerobic microorganisms.

28. There Are Rapid methods in the market that leave stain on the premises, does Biofinder stain the surfaces?
No, Biofinder, unlike other color-based methods, leaves no stains.

29. Is Biofinder a patented product?
Yes, Biofinder is a patented product (patent number: ES 2458228 B1).

30. Does Biofinder transport and storage require any special requirements?
No, Biofinder is not considered hazardous matter, so it DOES NOT require ADR transport and its storage should be in a dry place, keep it at a temperature around 20 º C and avoid direct sunlight on the container.