Agricycle™ is a revolutionary biocatalyst system that accelerates the natural decomposition of organic material. Agricycle™ also reduces the emissions of toxic gases such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and mercaptans generated by anaerobic bacterial action on decomposing biomass solids, greases, and oils.

Serious material-handling and odor-control issues arise in animal confinement facilities, composting operations, wastewater treatment plants, and other industries processing large quantities of organic waste. In today’s stringent regulatory climate, Agricycle™ addresses these environmental concerns.

Introduction

Agricycle™ was first developed 10 years ago as a bioremediation system for petrochemical clean-up sites. It subsequently was found to have remarkable odor abatement benefits in the animal confinement industry. The odor suppression properties were discovered serendipitously when Agricycle™ was added to a portable toilet on a petrochemical clean-up site. Within minutes the foul odors were completely eliminated. The product was then found to have a wide variety of household applications.

Agricycle™ is a highly concentrated enzyme formulation. The following enzyme families biodegrade odor-producing compounds.

• Lipase enzymes digest virtually all fats and greases by breaking down their complex molecular structure into smaller easily digestible sub-units.

• Amylase enzymes digest starches and metabolize them into glucose and other sugars, which are then available for glycolosis and further breakdown to CO2 and water.

• Protease enzymes digest organic wastes, commonly found in wastewater treatment systems. Protease enzymes are highly active in breaking down and dissolving proteins in organic waste.

• Cellulase enzymes digest plant cellulose or fiber.

The unique technology required to produce Agricycle™ is distinct from other "enzyme" products sold on the market. It is important to distinguish these products from Agricycle™, and to understand the difference between Agricycle™ and other so called "enzyme" products.

Agricycle™ is a mixture of pure concentrated enzymes and does not contain any live bacteria. Other enzyme products are produced using live "stressed-bacteria" technology. This means that bacteria are subjected to certain types of stress (usually starvation) and produce extra-cellular (outside the cell) enzymes. "Stressed-bacteria" products contain live organisms and when introduced to a food source (i.e. odor-producing waste), revert back to their normal metabolic processes and cease to make these extra enzymes.

Additionally, almost 90% of the enzymes produced by bacteria either remain membrane-bound (connected to the bacteria) or intracellular (inside the bacteria), and therefore are not available for biodegrading waste. The key to the technical know-how that allows for the production of pure enzymes, in Agricycle™, is the economic separation technique between the live microbes and enzymes.

Important Actions of Agricycle™

On Organic Waste and Odor

Agricycle™ scavenges hydrogen-sulfur bonds (S-H) and breaks both single and double S-H bonds. Hydrogen-sulfur bonds are common to foul-smelling substances such as and hydrogen sulfide, which are anaerobic products from organic waste. Odors from these substances disappear within minutes.

Agricycle™ converts volatile ammonia in its gas state (NH₃), to the water soluble ammonium ion (NH₄+) under most conditions. This reaction immediately halts the release of ammonia from waste products to atmosphere Agricycle™ has powerful cleaving activity on normal, branched-chain, and long-chain hydrocarbons. Greases and oils are reduced to smaller molecules with lower surface tension. This allows for further enzymatic activity to convert the shorter-chain compounds to their basic components, carbon dioxide and water.

Agricycle™ has biosurfactant characteristics which lower surface tension. This is easily demonstrated by Agricycle’s ability to clean and deodorize carpets soiled with pet stains. The combination of the "wetting-ability" and molecular cleaving make Agricycle™ a powerful product for reducing and liquefying biosolids, as well as rapidly biodegrading greases and oils.

Agricycle™ directly discriminates against odor-producing anaerobic bacteria. Many of these putrefactive anaerobic bacteria are also harmful to human health. Anaerobic conditions are associated with pathogenic bacteria such as certain E. coli strains and salmonella.

The combination of the "wetting-ability" and molecular cleaving make Agricycle™ a powerful product for reducing and liquefying biosolids, as well as rapidly biodegrading greases and oils.

Field Trials in Odor and Noxious Gas Control

Agricycle™ Reduced Odor 83.5% at Iowa State University

The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering conducted odor panel tests in a 30-day study on Agricycle™ to reduce odors from fresh hog manure. The odor threshold of Agricycle™-treated manure was reduced by 83.5% during the test. Treatment also reduced levels of volatile fatty acids, biological oxygen demand (BOD), total solids, and increased plant-available nitrogen.

Agricycle™ Reduced H2_S at a Virginia Wastewater Treatment Plant

Agricycle™ reduced force main hydrogen sulfide (H2S) generation. Data was collected at a pumping station approximately 500,000 gallon per day (gpd) average flow. Residents complained of H2S release from manholes, 1.5 miles east of pumping station. A STX70 Hygiene recording detector was placed in test manhole 1.5 miles from pumping station approximately two feet above sewage flow. Detector sampled H2S levels at five-minute intervals. Baseline data was collected for six days prior to Agricycle™ treatment of two gpd or 250,000:1. This demonstrated that Agricycle™ is capable of effectively reducing H2S in sewage handling systems in low concentrations and minimal retention time.

Agricycle™ Reduced Ammonia 86% at Sandi Leigh Farms

Agricycle™ reduced ammonia levels in animal confinement buildings by 86%. Readings were collected from a grower facility (24’ x 248’) containing 920 hogs (150-lb.). The five-foot pit underneath 133,500 gallons of manure. Gas levels were recorded at animal nose level in five-minute intervals for several weeks before and after treatment.

Applications

Household

• Cooking Odors: Fish, seafood, garlic, onions, grease/oil, and burning smells.

Spray 20:1 on food preparation surfaces with fine mist. For strong fish and seafood odors a second application may be necessary.

• Food Odors: Spoiled food, sour milk, and leftover food.

Spray 20:1 into container with offending odor. Spray enough to cover the food residue.

• Appliances: Refrigerators, freezers, ovens, and microwaves.

Spray 20:1 onto desired surfaces and leave for a few minutes before wiping with damp cloth.

• Bathroom: Musty smells, bathroom odors, diapers, and diaper pails.

Spray 20:1 into toilet and as a fine mist into the air as an air freshener. Diapers and diaper pails should receive heavier treatment.

• Garbage: Trash cans, garbage cans, and bottle recycling bins.

Spray 20:1 directly into trash receptacles and cover

contents. Reapply after adding more garbage or bottles.

• Carpet: Removes odors from pet accidents, cigar and cigarette smoke. Freshen mildewed and stale carpets.

Spray 30:1 to deodorize carpets and upholstery. Wipe with damp cloth and let dry. Pet accidents require heavier treatment (20:1). Spray directly onto offending material or stain. Carpets can be cleaned with standard carpet cleaning equipment using a 50 - 100:1 dilution with water, depending on the severity of the cleaning job.

• Garage: Grease and oil stains, gasoline odors in clothing and oil slicks from auto repair.

Spray 20:1 directly onto desired surface and let soak for 30 minutes to one hour.

• Air Conditioners: Trapped animals that have decayed and odors retained in ventilation system.

Spray 20:1 frequently into air intake ducts until offending odors disappear.

Miscellaneous Applications

• Outdoor use: Reduces odors from compost piles. Manure from livestock such as horses, sheep, cattle, and goats can be sprayed to prevent odors and will reduce insects and flies in barns.

Spray 100:1 on decomposing organic piles. Spray directly onto manure piles and straw in barns at 50:1.

• Recreation: Septic tanks, RV, boat, camper, motor homes, porto-toilets.

Spray 20:1 directly in toilets. Add 1 oz per 5 gallons of storage tank capacity, i.e. 2 oz for a 10-gallon tank.

• Nursing homes/Hospitals: Odors from patients with urinary incontinence. Prevents volatilization of ammonia and mercaptans from bedpans.

Spray 20:1 into waste containers. Spraying fine mist into the air of patient’s rooms will alleviate trapped odors and freshen the room.

• Pets: Pets sprayed by skunk, also good for bathing pets.

Wash pets with product at a 50:1dilution to remove odors. Skunk odors require heavier treatment. Repeat until odor is gone. Afterwards, rinse pets with soap and water.

A Quality Product

Safety Data

Agricycle™ is an all-natural product with no harsh, noxious, or toxic chemicals present in the formulation. The product is 100% biodegradable, completely harmless, and made entirely from food grade materials. The pH of the shipped product is 3.0, equivalent to lime juice. It meets California regulations as a harmless, food-grade product. Although not recommended, the product can be consumed without harmful effects.

The safety of Agricycle™ has been demonstrated in a hazardous waste fish bioassay, a standardized measure of toxicity according to EPA and the California Dept. of Fish and Game. The test was performed by North Coast Laboratories (see attached report) with 100% survivability of fish minnows in concentrations as high as 750 mg/L.

Benefits of Using Agricycle™

• Cost-effective

The high concentration of pure enzymes in Agricycle™ allows dilutions of 250,000:1 in some industrial applications. For general household use, a 20:1 dilution is recommended for immediate results. An 8-oz bottle of Agricycle™ makes 5 quarts, enough for many months’ supply of product.

• Fast-acting

Agricycle™ is not a masking agent, but acts directly on the substances that produces odors. It breaks the molecular bonds of foul-smelling compounds, effectively neutralizing noxious odors.

• Safe

Agricycle™ is completely non-toxic and 100% biodegradable. It will not harm humans or pets if accidentally consumed.