Unlike hand sanitizers and chemical disinfectants that just kill on contact, BacShield® chitosan antimicrobial offers long-lasting, nontoxic microbe destruction. Chitosan antimicrobial forms an invisible protective shield that continues working between cleanings. This residual natural protective shield contains intrinsic antimicrobial properties that are proven effective against bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungi. In fact, chitosan can provide persistent and sustained on-going kill for up to a year, depending on environmental conditions.
Why Use BacShield®?
More Distinctive Features
In addition to providing nontoxic persistent, on-going kill, chitosan is biodegradable and hypoallergenic. Plus, unlike most commonly used disinfectants, chitosan has a high permissible exposure limit (PEL) and can be sprayed in a mist without lung damage, eliminating the need for respirators during application. BacShield® antimicrobial works on all hard surfaces and textiles–both nonporous and porous surfaces.
How it's Made
BacShield’s active ingredient is chitosan, which is naturally derived from polysaccharides contained in waste crustacean shells, predominately crab and shrimp. It is an abundant renewable resource. Chitosan is produced by alkaline deacetylation of chitin, which is the structural material of crustaceans, insects and fungi. Chitin is the world’s second most abundant polymer; only cellulose, the building block of all plants, is more abundant.
How It Works
Chitosan is currently understood to work in two ways: (1) the polycationic (positively charged) chitosan molecules bind to the anionic (negatively charged) molecules on the surface of microbial cell walls, forming an impermeable layer that prevents nutrients needed by the cell from passing through, and (2) chitosan penetrates into the microbial cell nucleus and disrupts the cell’s functions, which results in microbial cell death. These mechanisms inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi, and eliminate associated odors, stains, discoloration, decay and deterioration of treated materials. Chitosan’s known broad-spectrum, anti-bacterial properties allow it to be used as an active ingredient in antimicrobial pesticides.
EPA Registration & Patent
BacShield® is EPA registered as an antimicrobial for textiles and surfaces (see Resource Library LINK for EPA registration information). In addition, our product has been granted a patent that covers application procedures, and has other patent-pending applications.
- EPA Registration #81446-2, EPA Est #08446-NC-002, CA EPA Reg #81446-2-AA
- Protected by Application Patent #US9149036B1
Product Safety Demonstrated
The antimicrobial, active agent, chitosan, has an over 100-year history of safe use in a wide range of products. These products include food supplements, cosmetics, and wound care dressings, as well as being a bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi and odor inhibitor for textiles and surfaces. BacShield’s use as an antimicrobial for fabrics originated within the NASA Space Program, and steam-applied BacShield is a Certified Space Technology for medical devices (See Space Foundation Report). BacShield’s proven antimicrobial properties and demonstrated safety make it an excellent solution for protecting face masks, face shields and disposable gowns.
Test Proven Efficacy
Chitosan antimicrobial’s sustained broad spectrum microbe destruction capability is supported by numerous tests. Tests on S. aureus AATCC 6538 (Staph) showed >99.998% reduction through 3 weeks; and 4-month protection against S. aureus AATCC 33592 (MRSA). Numerous additional tests on various pathogen microbes showed protection for 21 to 35 days. Mold and mildew protection benefits were shown for 12 months. Tests performed in 2020 on the feline coronavirus, showed 99.9% reduction in plaque forming units in 15 minutes, and a complete elimination (within limits of the experiment) of the virus with chitosan treatment in 30 minutes. (See Resource Library for test reports*).
Bacteria tested to 35 days with persistent kill:*
- S. aureus ATCC 6538 (Staphylococcus aureus)
- Escherichia coli (E. Coli)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP)
- VRE Faecalis (Vancomycin resistant VRE)
- VRE Faecium (Vancomycin resistant VRE)
- Carbapenem resistant E. coli (CRE)
- Carbapenem resistant K. Pneumoniae (CRKP)
- Pseudomonas Aeroginosa
* These independent laboratory tests are not contained in the EPA registration and no EPA claim is made or implied.
Purchasing Considerations
BacShield® antimicrobial is available in RTU (ready-to-use) and Concentrate form. BacShield® ships in 5 gallon buckets; 35 & 55 gallon drums; and 250 gallon totes. There is a minimum quantity order of 10 gallons. These products have a 2-year shelf life. One gallon covers 4,000 to 6,000 sq ft, depending on dispensing method. At a cost of less than $0.02/sq ft for materials and labor, BacShield® is inexpensive. And with enough raw material now to manufacture over 200 million gallons, BacShield® is readily available.
Cleaner Solutions International currently shares distribution rights with our partner company Siltanium Corporation.
To purchase BacShield® Chitosan, and our Contec® Citric Acid Disinfectant or to have these products provided to your facility as a service, please send email to info@cleanersolutionsintl.com or call (888) 788-6393.
Disclaimer – Cleaner Solutions International, LLC, does NOT approve the use of BacShield for any activities except those consistent with the EPA Registration in place. All purchasers agree to represent the BacShield material within the boundaries of the current registration. Any and all claims outside of those specifically stated in the EPA Registration will not be supported in any way by Cleaner Solutions International, LLC.
Application Considerations
BacShield® is best applied by dry steam or electrostatic sprayer for extended persistent effectiveness (expect up to 1–12 month performance*). If applied by liquid sprayer or wipe-on cloth, allow to dry (expect up to 1-2 weeks performance*).
BacShield® kills on contact and leaves a persistent coating that will continue working after the solution is dry. Some surfaces containing soil or biofilms will need to be pre-cleaned. Use steam cleaners or Contec® Citric Acid Disinfectant to deep clean prior to applying BacShield®.
The BacShield® coating can be removed, for example by cleaning chemicals with surfactants or high pH. Using Contec® Citric Acid Disinfectant to clean will reduce the chance of removing the BacShield®. A complete system for pre-cleaning and future care that will limit the removal the BacShield® chitosan film is advised.
*BacShield® Chitosan Antimicrobial can be removed; the manufacturer and distributor cannot control post-application care.