Research - MTD⁄1 - Some Basic Facts
MTD⁄1 - Some Basic Facts
Ecosyl Products Limited has over 20 years experience in research and commercial manufacture of silage inoculant bacteria. Continuous research in fermentation, preservation and product formulation has resulted in significant product improvements over this period, particularly in the three key areas of stability (shelf life and tank-mix life), ease-of-use and proven efficacy.
Ecosyl Products Limited sets the highest standards in all three areas: Ecosyl now has an exceptional 3 year shelf life at room temperature; bigger pack sizes and lower application rates for easier use and milk production benefits from MTD⁄1 are supported by more independent data than any other inoculant.
Continuous Culture
Continuous culture is a method whereby bacteria growing in a fermenter are fed nutrients continuously and harvested continuously. As far as we are aware ECOSYL is the only silage inoculant produced by continuous culture. Using it enables the bacteria to be harvested while actively growing and every bacterial cell is harvested and preserved in peak condition, ready for immediate competitive action.
With continuous culture, every bacterial cell is already at its peak and ready to go as soon as applied to the crop, competing aggressively against undesirable bacteria and rapidly taking hold of the fermentation to ensure maximum preservation of nutrients and maximum palatability.
Preservation
A patented preservation technology locks each MTD⁄1 bacterial cell into its own protective shell containing special ingredients to protect the cells during freeze drying and aid rapid recovery on re-hydration. The ECOSYL Products team developed this technology while still part of ICI and Zeneca and has now successfully applied it to all of the product range. In combination with MTD⁄1's inherent characteristics this results in a super-stable microorganism that remains active even when stored at ambient temperature.
Formulation
This is the technology that turns MTD⁄1 super-bugs into easy-to-use inoculants. Special ingredients are added to help ensure rapid re-activation of the bacteria on contact with moisture. Other ingredients help stabilise the tank mix, ensuring the bacteria remain at full strength for up to three days. All ingredients are food grade and fully traceable.
The methodologies used for culture, freeze-drying and formulation ensure the MTD⁄1 bacteria are up and running as soon as they are applied to the crop. They also ensure a three day tank life and a three year shelf life so temporary delays during harvest are not a problem and if there is any product left over at the end of the season it is easy to store. The long tank life and shelf life are both indicators of how robust and stable the MTD⁄1 inoculants are.
Production Quality
The ECOSYL Products range is produced within an ISO 9001 (2000) Quality Standard. The Company first gained this standard in 1994 and has continued to apply its stringent conditions to all the Company systems to ensure product consistency and quality. No product leaves our manufacturing site at Stokesley unless it has met our Quality Standards.
ECOSYL silage inoculants are only produced with food grade ingredients and all aspects of manufacture is traceable.
More recent new EU regulations on Hygiene and Feed Additives have further impacted production at Stokesley. With the key processes already in place for ISO9001, ECOSYL Products has already met EU Hygiene standards and is currently leading the field in implementing the Feed Additives Laws.