Scientific study highlighting the importance of data in applications such as cleaning using advanced and living biotechnologies
In the rapidly evolving cleaning industry, sustainability and efficacy are now inseparable. At Probiotic Group, we’ve made it our mission to back every claim with robust, science-driven evidence—showcasing not only the efficacy of our Provilan range, but also our unique capability in benchmarking and validating the true performance of probiotic cleaning.
Why Benchmarking Matters for Probiotic Cleaning
Traditional cleaning products often focus on instant results. But when it comes to microbial-based cleaning products (MBCPs), there’s much more beneath the surface: probiotic spores must attach, persist, germinate, and actively degrade organic matter over time. To meaningfully compare MBCPs with conventional cleaners, and to differentiate among probiotic brands, a thorough, multi-parameter benchmarking is crucial.
Our Approach: Comprehensive, Multi-Dimensional Assessment
Probiotic Group leverages a blend of standardized laboratory assays and real-world applications to deeply evaluate both the immediate and long-term impacts of Provilan and competing products. Here’s how we do it:
- Spore Attachment: Measuring the ability of probiotic spores to adhere to different surface types.
- Persistence: Quantifying spore retention and surface colonization over a period of days.
- Germination: Ensuring probiotics activate and metabolize, critical for long-lasting cleaning.
- Enzymatic Activity: Testing the degradation of real-world soils like starch, proteins, and fats.
- Ecological Impact: Running tests in high-traffic environments to observe real microbial shifts and surface hygiene.
Unrivaled Results: Benchmarking Provilan® Against the Rest
Our rigorous studies consistently highlight the strengths of Provilan® Multi-Purpose Cleaner, not just over conventional formulas but even among leading probiotic competitors.
Key Highlights from Recent Benchmarking
- Superior Spore Performance: Provilan® probiotics consistently show high adhesion (90%-99%) and persistence (>95% retention after 7 days), outperforming or matching the best probiotic market alternatives.
- Highest Germination Rates: In nutrient-rich and realistic soils, Provilan® spores achieve up to 35% germination, indicating rapid activation and deeper cleaning versus lower germination (as little as 0%) in some competitor formulations.
- Dual Enzymatic Power: Provilan® is unique in offering robust amylase and protease activity—allowing the targeted degradation of both starches and proteins for a truly deep clean. This is not always found in other probiotic cleaners, some of which lack amylase activity entirely.
- Instant and Long-Term Cleaning: Provilan® matches or exceeds immediate cleaning performance of conventional products (e.g., Mr. Proper, Ecover). Critically, Provilan® surpasses both probiotic and conventional rivals in long-term soil breakdown—removing up to 27% of milk residues and excelling on persistent soils like starch, fat, and minced meat.
- Real-World Microbial Health: In public facility tests, Provilan-treated surfaces developed healthy probiotic communities and saw a marked decrease in harmful pathogens over time, something not observed with traditional chemical cleaning regimens.
Transparent, Evidence-Backed Verification
What genuinely sets Probiotic Group apart is our commitment to verifiability:
- Side-by-Side Comparative Testing: Every claim about Provilan® is validated alongside competitors in controlled and open settings.
- Advanced Biological Methods: We use optical density growth tracking, surface swabbing, and enzymatic assays (e.g., API® ZYM) to generate objective, reproducible metrics.
- Real-World Validation: Beyond the lab, our products are tested in large public facilities, demonstrating efficacy and persistence where it matters most.
The Takeaway: A New Standard for Hygiene
Our evidence shows that Provilan®, underpinned by an unmatched scientific benchmarking approach, delivers a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable solution in any environment. We invite industry peers, partners, and stakeholders to demand this level of transparency and performance from all cleaning solutions—because sustainable cleaning should never mean compromising on efficacy.
Brands such as Provilan® Clean, CIF® Infinite Clean, ECOVER®, Pronto®, BIOBACT®, Dr. Schnell® and Greenspeed® have been benchmarked in our efficacy studies.
Want to learn more about how Probiotic Group sets the standard in probiotic cleaning and benchmarking? Ask us for the technical report by mailing us at sales@probiotic-group.com.
Let’s connect and drive the future of hygiene together!
Article author: Martin Schoonbroodt, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Probiotic Group Luxembourg S.A.
Report author: Sofija Andric, Scientific Manager at Probiotic Group Luxembourg S.A.
