Local biotechnology company Biodx’s Decont-A biodegradable disinfectant, which has been tested and proven under operating conditions in industrial, power generation and mine water treatment applications, helps to reduce the energy and chemical costs associated with the cleaning and treatment of process water, says Biodx CEO Burt Rodrigues.

Treatment using the Decont-A disinfectant takes place in the storage dams or tanks. The citrus-extract-based disinfectant is used to control the growth of algae and bacteria in the nutrient-rich water before it is abstracted and cleaned for reuse.

“The disinfectant must completely degrade before it gets to the clarifier (the first stage of conventional industrial water treatment). The purpose of this biotechnology is to reduce the microbial load of the water and make the cleaning and treatment process more efficient and less costly.”
Additionally, the treatment is done through careful dosing to ensure resistance build-up by the microbes is retarded.

The Decont-A disinfectant controls Legionella bacteria, cyanobacteria, microbial algae and bacteria typically found in mineral-rich rock.
“Some of the algae and bacteria can form long strands with the consistency of mucus. These tend to clog the filters, reducing their efficiency and making the rest of the water treatment process slower and more difficult.”

Biodx has tested the industrial water disinfec­tant in industrial operations, including Tongaat Hullet’s starch and gluten production facilities, in power generation applications by Eskom’s research and development facility in Rosherville, Johannesburg, and in a mineral extraction company’s operations in Springs, Gauteng.

“We have the ability to scale up our pro­duction and to cultivate a citrus strain that will produce more of the active ingredients. Our disinfectant biotechnology is applicable in the food and beverage, agriculture and health industries, but will require [increased] demand and testing and verification before we launch biodegradable disinfectants for these industries.”

Biotechnology is inherently sustainable and can provide long-term jobs across a range of productive and service disciplines. For example, a dedicated farm to supply Biodx with citrus extract can be expected to create about 800 permanent jobs and can produce for 20 years or more, although it will take five to seven years to reach full production.

Citrus plants naturally produce a disinfectant protein when under attack by a disease or infection, and this process can be stimulated to produce greater quantities of the key proteins and, thereby, increase the yield the company can get from a given hectare of citrus plants.

“This is an engineered product and the result of 13 years of work with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Technology Innovation Agency and the Department of Science and Technology.

“We remain convinced that biotechnology was correctly identified around 2002 by former President Thabo Mbeki as a potential boost for the local and regional economies, is sustainable and has broad applications through­out a range of sectors.”