BacShield® Chitosan Antimicrobial

How and why BacShield® Chitosan works

Used as directed, BacShield® makes an article or surface an unsuitable environment for the growth of mold, mildew, fungi or bacteria. Odors are a by-product of bacterial growth and wastes.  By inhibiting the growth of odor-causing microbes, BacShield® reduces the resulting wastes and the odors and degrading of articles they cause.

BacShield® is available as a concentrate for application during manufacturing or in an RTU (ready to use) form for all other applications.

Chitosan’s Antimicrobial Properties

BacShield’s active ingredient is Chitosan, the second most abundant naturally occurring compound, after cellulose. Chitosan is known to possess anti-bacterial properties, which allows it to be used as an active ingredient in antimicrobial pesticides. (EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0566-0019; Chitin Case 6063)

Chitosan works in two ways. First, Chitosan reacts with molecules on the surfaces of cell walls, forming a layer that nutrients the cell needs cannot pass through. Second, Chitosan punctures cell walls, disrupting the cell’s food production and its reproduction.  Thus the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungi are inhibited.

BacShield®, made from Chitosan, is different from products that clean or disinfect articles.  BacShield® works between cleanings to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungi that cause odor, stains, discoloration, decay and deterioration of treated materials.