How to Formulate THE Best Microbial Products Maximizing Coverage and Value in Formulations Through

BiologicalCentric Science and Technology

We think of formulating microbial products as essentially filling up a cube, whereby one of the axis is viable and optimal functional temperature, another is viable and optimal functional pH, and the final axis is the total required metabolites. To play to that thought model, we create formulas based on this method using our “MicroCube” formulation model, which aims to do just that— by focusing on “filling up as much of the cube (i.e. formulation coverage) as possible.” This three-dimensional “cube” accounts for the key parameters that make biological products efficacious and economically successful. Many formulators base their formulation decisions almost solely on the functionality of one or a small collection of organisms. While we certainly take this into account in a significant way, we are additionally concerned with making sure the organisms will work (and work well) in the target environment.

In 2018, MicroSynergies embarked on the creation of a tool that would change the way we formulate microbial products.

ith every new formulation comes a challenge: to create the most comprehensive functionality and outcome coverage while remaining economical and uniquely valuable. Put another way, you want a biological formula to perform in the entire pH range and temperature range— and produce the ideal amount and profile of metabolites to satisfy the outcomes you’re looking for.

On its surface, this isn’t all that difficult to do. However, there is certainly an “80/20” to creating robust formulas that get the job done and differentiate in the marketplace and over-formulating for “110% coverage” to the point of diminishing returns. This, in essence, has been our formulation philosophy for over a decade:

Key Ideas

Floral Succession

Even if the organisms produce the metabolites you want and work within the pH and temperature needed, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the formula itself will work as intended.

MICROCUBE™ available cultures and filtering them for a variety of requirements that include regulatory considerations, incorporation layers of our proprietary MicroSynergy® technology, conditions for colony viability, floral succession parameters, and metabolism function to name a few. visualization purposes of viable ranges) are used to show the formulation coverages and overall percentages for individual macro components (i.e. optimal pH, optimal temperature, and required metabolites) as well as for the overall formulation. placeholder is meant to visually represent the more conservative viable temperature range versus the individual strains which are visualized in their optimal temperature ranges. Upon further inspection of the strains’ viable range, it was determined that the formula as-is would cover the necessary ranges and remain effective.

Technology can be used as a gutcheck for proper microbial formulation— or as a way to find a missing piece of the formulation puzzle.

As you can see from the visualization example above, the first dummy formula was unable to pass in the floral succession screening for optimal pH, whereas adding a strain of Enterococcus faecium completed the chain and made for a complete formulation (at least as far as the pH environment is concerned).

Similar macro pass/fail tests would be completed for temperature and function/ metabolism.

As shown on the page to the right, the overall formulation effectiveness in this example is 98.0%, with the only incomplete component being (optimal) temperature. At this point, we would work with our customer to determine if we either need to adjust the parameters because we were being too conservative in practice or if it’s worth the resources to close the gap in temperature coverage by finding an additional organism that fits the profile for the temperature gap and works in similar beneficial ways.

Formula Finese

When it comes to helping companies create new products or simply reinvigorate existing lines, some companies are simply looking to be competitive with regards to what the market already demands. Others want to innovate and completely disrupt the status quo. And still yet, others are looking for more of a hybrid model: don’t rock the boat too much but come out with something new and fresh that looks both similar and different enough to get the attention of their respective marketplace.

these scenarios and are happy to help you with your newest products or existing lines— and to find the right balance with what you’re looking to do in the market.

From sourcing and formulation, to regulatory and marketing, we’re here to help your biological products be a huge success.

To learn more, visit MicrobialFormulation.com

There’s an economic bellcurve when creating a microbial formula; you want the most coverage for the most reasonable cost.

Bacteria Cultures

Leuconostoc

Mezorhizobium

M. ciceri

Mycorrhiza

Ecto Mycorrhiza

Endo Mycorrhiza

Ericoid Mycorrhiza

Nitrifying Bacteria

Paenibacillus

P. polymyxa

P. laterosporus

Pediococcus

P. acidilactici (MS) (380)

P. pentosaceus (MS) (380)

Phanerochaete

P. chrysosporium

Propionibacterium

P. acidipropionici

P. freudenreichii

Pseudomonas

P. fluorescens

P. putida

Rhizobium

R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii

R. leguminosarum bv. viciae

Saccharomyces

S. boulardii

S. cerevisiae

Sinorhizobium

S. medicae

S. meliloti

Streptococcus

S. thermophilus (MS)

Streptomyces

S. albus

S. cinerogriseus

S. fradiae

S. griseofuscus

S. griseorubroviolaceus

S. griseoviridis

S. griseus

S. lavendulae

S. lydicus

S. nigrescens

S. roseosporus

S. violaceusniger

Trichoderma

T. atroviride

T. harzianum

T. reesei

T. viride

Protease (Fungal)

Protease (Bacterial)

Trypsin (Synthetic)

Others

Catalase (Fungal)

Glucose Oxidase (Fungal)

Lysozyme (Animal)

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Hydrolyzed

Autolyzed

Active Yeast

Cell Wall

Inactive Dry Yeast (IDY)

Septic Treatment

Industrial

Pulp and Paper Treatment

Silage Inoculants

Including SiloSynergy™

(MS) = indicates MicroChoice® cultures that include one or all of our proprietary MicroSynergy™ technology for microbial stability, shelf-life, and activity.

(380) = indicates species included in our 3+80 Guarantee for reducing supply risk to our customers.

(380) = indicates meets this criterion.