How to Calculate the TRUE Cost of Bioremediation Products, and Helpful Tips about Microbial Plate Counts August 29, 2006
Posted by Bioremediation Technologies in Bioremediation Products, Colony Forming Units, Microbes per Gram.add a comment
In this business you hear a lot about “plate counts” or CFUs (colony forming units). These are simply the numbers of microbes in 1 gram. A plate count of 5 billion is a lot less than a plate count of 670 billion microbes per gram, for example.
So when you are buying a product of 5 billion per gram, it is obviously going to be less expensive and less effective then one which has 670 billion. But, is it really less expensive if you have to use a lot more? Obviously, and logically, not.
We sell both products, but by far our best seller is the 670 billion microbes per gram product.
If price per pound is important, buy the lower plate count. If your COST to clean a cubic yard is important, buy the higher plate count product. CALL US to help you decide. 520.299.9808
Here’s a tip for successful bioremediation:
Another thing to consider is the carriers for the microbes. Some commonly used carriers (what the microbes are dried on) are ground corn, wheat bran, zeolite and clay or bentonite). Some carriers have an inherently high plate count even without adding to good degrader microbes. Corn, clay and zeolite are examples of this. So, when speaking to a bioremediation products manufacturer or distributor, the key question to ask is “What percentage of the total plate count are the good degrading bacteria?”
Prices
We sell a low plate count product for as little as $12 per pound. We sell a high plate count product for $100 per pound. We sell some in between. We can help you decide which is best for you and your particular remediation requirements. And we have calculated the different application rates for you to help you decide. But the key factor is to determine the cost to clean a cubic yard or the cost to clean a gallon of contaminated water. So if you opt for a cheaper, lower plate count product, you will need much more of so your cost per unit will be the same or maybe more.
We would appreciate the opportunity to quote a job for you, and we promise to not drive you crazy with nagging sales calls!
Thank you,
Jerry Coon
Catalina Biosolutions, LLC
