Dr. Robin Temmerman

HeiQ Chrisal

CEO

Current lectures/posters

14.10.2026

09:15

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09:30

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Microbial Dishwashing: Extending Performance Beyond the Wash Cycle with Synbiotics

(available in the SOFW media library after the congress)

Lecture Language: English

Modern automatic dishwashing performance is typically assessed within the wash cycle, focusing on the removal of visible soils under standardized conditions. However, the accumulation of organic residues in machines, filters, and drainage systems remains a persistent operational challenge, particularly in professional and institutional environments.

This presentation introduces a liquid dishwashing detergent developed for professional applications, combining conventional surfactants and enzymes with a synbiotic system composed of selected microorganisms and complementary nutrients. The formulation integrates established cleaning chemistry with a biological component designed to support the breakdown of organic residues within dishwashing machines beyond the immediate wash phase.

Performance of the formulation was evaluated using standardized automatic dishwashing test methods (EN / IEC 60436), demonstrating consistent removal of common food soils such as starch, protein, and dairy residues across repeated cycles. In addition, studies on synbiotic cleaning systems in washing machines indicate that microbial activity persists in machine compartments over time and contributes to the reduction of accumulated organic residues.

The concept builds on the known enzymatic activity of spore-forming bacteria used in environmental and wastewater applications. Supporting evidence from washing machine studies indicates that such microbial systems remain active in machine environments and contribute to the gradual degradation of accumulated organic residues. By transferring these principles into dishwashing formulations, the product demonstrates how biological processes complement conventional detergency, offering an extended perspective on cleaning performance in professional and potentially consumer applications.