Every great beverage starts with clean water, clean equipment, and a clean process. But inside even the most carefully maintained systems, there is an invisible threat that can compromise flavor, consistency, and safety. Biofilm.
In breweries, wineries, and beverage facilities, biofilm can form anywhere moisture lingers: inside transfer lines, fermentation tanks, valves, drains, or sumps. Once it develops, it shelters bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Acetobacter that cause spoilage, haze, and off-flavors. The challenge is not cleaning what you can see. It is controlling what you can’t.
What Biofilm Really Is and Why It Is Hard to Remove
Biofilm is a complex layer of microorganisms that attach to surfaces and protect themselves with a sticky polymeric matrix. This shield allows bacteria to survive cleaning and sanitizing cycles that would normally kill them in free-floating form.
Traditional sanitizers such as chlorine, peracetic acid, or quats often fail to penetrate this matrix. Even if surface layers are removed, live colonies can remain underneath and quickly rebuild. Over time, fragments of biofilm break loose, spreading contamination through process lines and finished products.
For beverage producers, this means recurring microbial positives, reduced shelf stability, and increased cleaning frequency, all of which raise costs and risk.
Why It Matters in Beverage Production
Even trace levels of microbial activity can impact taste, aroma, and clarity. In breweries, biofilm can cause souring, hazing, or unexpected refermentation. In wineries, it can alter the balance of acids and sugars or generate volatile compounds that dull flavor.
Beyond product quality, biofilm affects operational efficiency. It can clog filters and valves, disrupt flow rates, and force additional Clean-In-Place (CIP) cycles. Contaminated rinse water or CO₂ lines can even result in complete batch losses or costly recalls.
Effective control is not just about cleanliness. It is about protecting product integrity, equipment life, and brand reputation.
Ultra-Pure Chlorine Dioxide: Clean Chemistry for Clean Equipment
SMT’s ultra-pure chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) provides a simple and powerful solution for controlling biofilm throughout beverage systems. Unlike traditional oxidizers, ultra-pure ClO₂ penetrates biofilm at the cellular level and destroys microorganisms by oxidation, not chlorination.
It works quickly, leaves no harmful residues, and maintains a neutral pH that is safe for stainless steel, plastics, and gaskets. Once generated, it naturally breaks down into salt and oxygen, leaving no taste, odor, or environmental impact.
Applications include:
- CIP treatment for tanks, lines, and heat exchangers
- Surface disinfection in bottling, packaging, and storage areas
- Rinse water and utility water sanitation
Whether used as a primary disinfectant or as part of a broader hygiene program, Selectrocide helps producers maintain cleaner systems and more consistent product quality.
Why Purity Matters
Not all ClO₂ products are the same. Many “stabilized” or tablet-based versions are not true chlorine dioxide and can leave behind unwanted chlorite or chlorate residues. These by-products can interfere with taste, equipment longevity, and compliance with beverage standards.
SMT’s patented micro-reactor technology generates true, ultra-pure chlorine dioxide directly in water without acids, buffers, or corrosive activators. The result is consistent purity and performance every time, with the safety and simplicity of a sealed pouch.
A Cleaner Process Means a Better Product
Producers who integrate Selectrocide into sanitation programs see measurable improvements:
- Fewer contamination events and microbial positives
- Cleaner equipment and reduced downtime
- Improved product stability and consistency
- Safer and more sustainable operations
Clean chemistry protects both product quality and consumer trust. With Selectrocide, beverage producers can focus on what matters most: crafting great products that reflect the purity of their process.
For pricing, samples, or a setup guide, contact us:
inquiry@selectivemicro.com
855-256-8299
www.selectivemicro.com