CitrusDefence®

CitrusDefence® is a completely organic biocidal product that is hypoallergenic, a natural biocide and virucidal with a broad spectrum of sanitizing characteristics.

CitrusDefence® is extracted from the pith of oranges through a specialized process. The extract contains a mixture of natural ingredients that, when combined, produce an extremely powerful anti-bacterial, anti-mould and anti-fungal agent. 
The extract consists of Vitamin C, Vitamin P (Bioflavonoid), Natural Sugars, and various organic acids, (Ascorbic acid, Citric acid). 
This powerful, anti-bacterial/virocidal agent is mixed with other food grade, natural and safe products to produce CitrusDefence®. 
One of the additives in CitrusDefence® is Yucca Schidegra which helps CitrusDefence® break down Biofilms that cling to surfaces and house large quantities of bacteria. Bacteria attached to Biofilms are 150-3000 times more resistant to chlorine than unattached cells. 
Yucca Schidegra helps break down the Biofilm and the powerful anti-bacterial components of CitrusDefence® destroy the bacteria present. The CitrusDefence® residual keeps working for up to 48 hours and more. 
Yucca Schidegra breaks down biofilms and the powerful anti-bacterial components of CitrusDefence® destroy the bacteria present and the CitrusDefence® residual keeps working for up to 48 hours and more. 
CitrusDefence® is not a poison like chlorine. It does not poison the bacteria.
When exposed to CitrusDefence®, bacteria experience membrane changes or damaging due to penetration of the cell wall of the bacteria. It is this mechanism that is responsible for killing the bacteria and reducing growth, hence creating a sanitizing effect and at the same time prolonging the lifespan of fresh products.

A. Food Wash and Natural Preservative

The CitrusDefence® Food Wash & Natural Preservative is derived from organic extracts and can be used as a processing aid for controlling contaminating micro-organisms in the food industry. It reduces the risk of food poisoning by eliminating pathogenic micro organisms which then extend the shelf life and freshness of any fresh, raw, chilled and cooked foods, meats, poultry, fish and produce before packaging and distribution to retail outlets. CitrusDefence® will keep produce fresh for up to 2-3 times longer than conventional methods resulting in very high reductions in spoilage.

B. Cleaning and Sanitizing

CitrusDefence® Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Disinfectant, Hospital Grade Disinfectant, Hand Sanitizer and Hand and Body Cleaner. 
The CitrusDefence® Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Disinfectant, Hospital Grade Disinfectant, Hand Sanitizer and Hand and Body Cleaner are a range of fast acting, broad spectrum products highly effective against bacteria, viruses, mould and fungi. It can be used safely on any surface wherever efficient hygiene and sanitizing is required, including households, businesses, factories, hospitals, hotels, restaurants and professional cleaning services.
Replacing synthetically based products for use in cleaning and sanitizing operations.
The CitrusDefence®  surface disinfectant addresses the growing demands for replacing synthetically based products for use in cleaning and sanitizing operations. Examples of this include the replacement of chlorine and quaternary compound based cleaners and sanitizers with health and safety eco friendly products.
CitrusDefence® technology incorporates a truly holistic approach designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of cleaning & sanitizing operations. 
For many years chlorine and caustic soda have been the standard, cheap chemicals used to decontaminate surfaces & foodstuffs, and to reduce the risk of infections. It is now known and generally acknowledged, that this is a health hazard, and a proven cause of severe health problems.

I. Medical area decontamination 
Hospitals, nursing homes and similar establishments are now acknowledged to have a major pathogenic problem : Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
This represents a significant and life threatening cause of hospital acquired infection, and the hospitals act as a reservoir for this pathogen.
Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen found in the warm and moist areas of the body. In healthy people it causes little harm, but can cause severe and dangerous infections in patients who have had surgery, or who are suffering from boils, septicaemia or pneumonia.
Staphylococcus aureus is a thick walled bacterium, with the ability to develop resistance to antibiotics.
The most resistant strain of this bacteria encountered is resistant to the powerful antibiotic, methycillin and is therefore known as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, generally abbreviated to "MRSA". 
New antibiotics were developed to overcome this trend, but S.aureus again developed resistance to these new antibiotics, with potentially disastrous consequences for patients from wound infection.

Main applications :
CitrusDefence® hospital grade range pro-actively eliminate, control and reduce the incidences of virulent and microbial diseases which have become immune to toxic based alternatives, including Methycillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, "MRSA". 
They can be used for:
■ The cleaning of hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and all similar establishments to remove a wide range of pathogens including MRSA.
■ The reduction of cross infections by use in staff personnel and visitor's personal hygiene.
■ The cleaning of all types of medical equipment including surgical instruments.

Benefits :
■ Effective against MRSA
■ Broad spectrum biocide against bacteria, (gram positive and gram negative) viruses, moulds, yeast and fungi.
■ Breaks down biofilm
■ Effective in the presence of organic matter
■ Strong residual effect
■ Non-tainting
■ Non-toxic, Non-carcinogenic, Non-mutagenic
■ Non-corrosive
■ Hypoallergenic

CitrusDefence® is a highly concentrated, broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound. Research has shown that the natural extracts found in CitrusDefence® are effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungi and yeasts, as well as a large number of single-celled and multi-celled organisms. 
Included in this list are: 
Candida albicans  (cause of common yeast infections), Parasites, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter, Listeria and Legionella. 
In a minimum inhibitory concentration study, the citrus extract found in CitrusDefence® was found to be 10 to 100 times more effective than other commonly used antimicrobials such as silver oxide suspension, chlorine bleach solution, and iodine.

II. Personal and Health Care 
CitrusDefence® is a range of organic personal care products and formulations which include, athlete foot spray, anti-bacterial eardrops, anti-bacterial lip balm, non-alcoholic mouthwash, acne tonic, cold sore cream, first aid disinfecting sprays and face and body tonic. We are continually researching and developing further products in the CitrusDefence® range with a view to educating consumers that toxicity can be easily eradicated for future personal sustainability.
CitrusDefence® expert formulator team can assist in developing formulations using new, natural and novel ingredients to deliver excellent mildness, performance and skin feel benefits in some of the applications below:
■ Moisturing shampoo
■ Refreshing facial wash and foam
■ Mild bodywash and foam
■ Moisturing handwash
■ Hand liquid soap
■ Hand scrub soap
■ Wet wipes
■ Etc.

C. Areas of uses.

Food Processing Areas and Clean Rooms. 
As a sanitizer, CitrusDefence® can be applied to walls, ceilings, floors and any work surfaces where pathogens or mould may be found. The bacterial growth is stopped and pathogens present are killed.

Fruit & Vegetables.
CitrusDefence® keeps fruit and vegetables crisp and looking fresh for longer. It extends shelf-life by 2-3 times normal shelf-life expectation. CitrusDefence® reduces the bacteria-loading on those vegetables susceptible to high bacteria contamination and it will reduce spoilage by killing mould.

Food Processing.
As a non-rinse wash for meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and fresh fruit products including cut fruit used in fresh fruit salads, CitrusDefence® stops bacterial growth, increases shelf life and minimizes the risk of food poisoning.

Fish, shrimp and scampi Production.
Reduces bacteria-loading and keeps it at low levels thereby extending shelf-life and reducing odour. Scampi and Shrimp should be dipped in a CitrusDefence® solution prior to freezing and packing. They can also be bathed in a CitrusDefence® solution when thawing. The shelf-life of filleted and whole fish is extended when dipped into a 2% CitrusDefence® solution for 2-4 minutes. Equally, Shrimp and Scampi when dipped or glazed in CitrusDefence® will also minimize bacterial contamination. Bacteria loadings are substantially reduced on smoked and processed seafood thereby also minimizing the possibility of food poisoning.

Chicken Carcasses.
Reduces bacteria-loading by a 6 log reduction, extends shelf-life and reduces the risk of food poisoning. Chicken carcasses are washed in a CitrusDefence® solution at the end of the process line. The non-rinse wash leaves a residual of CitrusDefence® that continues to kill bacteria for up to 48 hours.

CitrusDefence™ is a highly concentrated, broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound. Research has shown that the natural extracts found in CitrusDefence™ are effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungi and yeasts, as well as a large number of single-celled and multi-celled organisms.

Included in this list are:
Candida albicans (cause of common yeast infections), Parasites, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter, Listeria and Legionella.
In a minimum inhibitory concentration study, the citrus extract found in CitrusDefence™ was found to be 10 to 100 times more effective than other commonly used antimicrobials such as silver oxide suspension, chlorine bleach solution, and iodine.

CitrusDefence™ was challenged by the Microbiology Institute Pasteur of Lille following
THE EUROPEAN SUSPENSION TEST SYSTEM, BS EN 1276: 1997
This system requires that the product be effective at pathogen load in 10².

Conclusion:
The sample tested of CitrusDefence® batch #0604011 has a bacterial activity in practical conditions in accordance with NF EN 1276 at 0.25% with 5 minutes contact at 20° on the four reference strains in dirty conditions. Therefore hospital grade surface disinfectant status.