μL per cm²). The panels were monitored over 72 hours, and
during that time the lipase-blended coating cleared its surface
of all oil (see Figure 2 in “Formulating with Bioengineered
Additives: Enhancing the Performance and Functionality of
Paints and Coatings,” Coatings World, March 2010).
Positive results have also been obtained for scrub tests using
three different types of coatings provided by Hillyard, Inc., St.
Joseph, MO, containing the DeGreez additive (zinc crosslinked
acrylic styrene copolymer, institutional grade tile sealer based
on a modified acrylic polymer emulsion and a water dispersed
silicone sealer used for tile, sandstone and marble). Degreasing
activity was measured as the rate of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate using a UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The activity
of the enzyme after contact with a detergent solution and without scrubbing served as a control for the effects of the detergent
on the enzyme’s degreasing ability. In all cases, degreasing
activity and gloss levels were retained after samples were
scrubbed up to 200 times in a scrub machine, and performance
was better for coatings containing DeGreez than for coatings
cleaned with a detergent. The coatings other performance criteria were unaffected by the presence of the DeGreez additives.
Similar results were obtained when a silicone topcoat containing DeGreez was applied over a modified acrylic sealant undercoat (Figure 5a&b).
STEP 7: DETERMINE REGULATORY STATUS
Once performance testing has confirmed that the new bioadditive functions effectively in coatings formulations without
impacting the key aesthetic and protective nature of the
coating, it is time to take the necessary steps for bringing the
product to the marketplace. Before any new chemical or bio-chemical-based product can be commercialized, regulatory
bodies in the U.S., Europe and around the world require notification about the substance. Therefore, it is necessary to
determine whether or not the product contains any new substances or substances that require registration due to their
mode of action or intended application.
The active ingredients in DeGreez are enzymes. In the U.S.
such compounds are regulated under the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) and are handled by the Chemical
Division of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The
specific enzyme in DeGreez, Lipase, Triacylglycerol, is
already listed on the TSCA Chemical Inventory and thus can
be offered commercially without the need for any TSCA notification. In addition, no special record keeping is required,
and Lipase, Triacylglycerol is not regulated by any of the 50
states. As long as Lipase, Triacylglycerol is not genetically or
chemically modified in any way during its isolation or use, it
is not regulated in the U.S. In Europe, Lipase, Triacylglycerol
is listed on the EINECS inventory and is preregistered under
the REACH regulation. No chemical notification in Europe is
required, but importers of Lipase, Triacylglycerol must conform to the REACH registration process that is triggered by
certain volume thresholds.
STEP 8: ADDRESS COMMERCIALIZATION ISSUES
Commercial production of bioengineered additives requires
an understanding of large scale biological production
processes and access to appropriate production equipment.
For pilot scale manufacturing, Reactive Surfaces partners
with the Bioprocessing Fermentation Facility at the
University of Georgia, Athens and Boston-based 21st
Century Biochemicals. We also have a relationship with
biotechnology industry leader Lonza, which currently serves
as the commercial toll producer of both enzyme and peptide
products. In the case of DeGreez, there were a number of
avenues for large scale, cost effective commercial production.
And there you have it. From the initial identification of
need at the end-user and formulator level, to the selection
from the palette of nature of a collection of suitable candidate
bioadditives, to the proof-of-concept testing, to the selection of
the coating systems, to the completion of standard coatings
tests, and finally to the pre-commercialization steps of regulatory compliance and commercial-scale production. The complete development stages of a new bioengineered additive
was all accomplished in the course of less than three years.
BUILDING A ROBUST PIPELINE OF BIOADDITIVES
In addition to its three products at or near the commercialization stage—Protecoat, OPDTox and DeGreez—Reactive
Surfaces has several other development programs in place.
Potential new applications for the existing products are being
investigated, as are new bioadditives with unique functionalities. Protecoat antimicrobial peptides, for example, have been
shown in preliminary tests to exhibit both antiviral and antial-gal properties. Early studies of the DeGreez additive in poly-methylmethacrylate films indicate that it may be possible to
create self-healing coatings with this product. We are also
investigating the use of cell-based particulate material from
various different organisms as biodegradable fillers, opacifiers,
UV stabilizers, colorants and other important coating ingredients. Other programs are investigating the use of bioengineered additives for antifouling surfaces, recharge-able/reprogrammable coatings, anti-corrosion surfaces, deodorizing coatings and catalytic column coatings for liquid and
gaseous waste-stream decontamination, among others.
For each of these programs, we follow the various steps
described above in order to ensure development of products
that will provide added value to the paint and coatings industry. In many cases, each step can be, and often is, iterative.
Ultimately, it is the integration of these various influences and
development of the methodology to monitor and assess the critical variables that makes development of functional coating
systems possible and enables the movement of bioadditive candidates through development into commercial products.
It is important to note, too, that while an immense diversity of function can be found in nature, we are not limited to
what is readily provided in the natural world. At Reactive
Surfaces, we have the ability, through the tools of genetic
engineering, to create unique functionalities for specific purposes. Genetic engineering induces cell alterations in organisms based on the artificial manipulation and transfer of
genetic material. Enzyme enhancement can be achieved via
several different methodologies. Directed evolution using
mutation and recombinant technologies, for example, ulti-
