MB 4 BP microorganisms degrade a variety of anionic and nonionic surfactants, including nonylphenol ethoxylates and alcohol ethoxylates.

Surfactants are necessary for cleaning in almost all industrial facilities, but they can cause serious problems at wastewater treatment plants. In high enough concentrations they can cause foaming and lead to floc disruption. If surfactants pass through to the effluent, they can lead to permit violations and surcharges. They can also cause effluent toxicity problems. Surfactants are degradable, but the right microorganisms have to be present and functional for this to happen.

MB 4 BP contains a blend of microorganisms that can degrade a variety of surfactants, including nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) as well as linear and branched-chain alcohol ethoxylated. Enhancing a microbial community’s capability for surfactant degradation with MB 4 BP reduces surfactant related foaming and improves plant stability.