Mumblur Intro

[Mumblur]

Hi, my name is Jon Peters from Vancouver. I work for Microbion, a pharmaceutical company that develops applications for a novel anti-biofilm compound called bismuth-thiol.

Beyond the medical we've found the stuff works really well as a cut flower preservative. I'm researching this as part of a team.

Though new to flowers we're investing in industry research. Hopefully this will allow me to contribute to you and the FlowerChat community.

On the web you can find us at www.microbioncorp.com.

 

[theRKF]

Sounds pretty interesting! Welcome to FlowerChat

Are you looking for "test subjects"? (I can think of a few florists who would like to be well preserved

Is bismuth-thiol a treatment for the containers? An additive to the water? Does it replace or augment traditional flower foods?

 

[anytimeflowers]

You say anit-biofilm. Does it repel microbes? I'm curious!

 

[bootcampguy]

Welcome.......I'm lost.......

 

[Mumblur]

Ha! Thanks much for the welcome.

Yep, bismuth-thiols are an additive to the water possibly replacing the biocides used in traditional flower food. They are extremely effective anti-microbials with low toxicity (human food grade level like Pepto-Bismol).

They work differently than other cut flower biocides by both shutting down the bacteria and inhibiting biofilm formation. Biofilm (basically we're talking about slime) is the polysaccaride housing bacteria produce to protect themselves in colonies. It is bacteria's most important protection mechanism and is found anywhere water touches a surface (including inside a flower's vascular tissue). Once biofilm has formed it's difficult for traditional biocides to get rid of the bacteria. Biofilms form no matter how good post-harvest treatment is.

We're not sure why cut flowers are responding so well. Beyond keeping water and nutrients flowing by stopping biofilm plugging it may also be preventing ethylene effects similar to STS commonly used post-harvest (both are a heavy metal and a thiol). At this point we're still trying to figure out what's going on. One thing's for sure - flowers are lasting a lot longer than with 8-HQS or any of the other traditional post-harvest bactericides.

Therapeutically Microbion is developing bismuth-thiol for topical wound treatment, implant coatings and to give weakened antibiotics new life to name a few. It's pretty revolutionary stuff on the medical front.

Well, apologies for the book. Great site. If you or anyone is into vase-life experimentation or marketing products to the floral industry or anything else for that matter - it'd be great to compare notes.

Jon

 

[BOSS]

Hey Jon... welcome to the FlowerChat Community....

Very interesting... if you're looking for "testers" sign me up.... For the last couple years I have been working with **Gantec Green** (you can read about it on their site) and their Blossom Springs product in side by side comparison tests. While these were developed for plants, I have been testing them on cut stems and have seen longer lasting blooms compared to other products on the market. Right now it may be a bit cost-prohibitive. Funny thing, the Gantec Green is edible, and even works on Scoriosis(sp) and helps cuts heal much faster than normal. Their products are made from Neem Seed Oil...

Good luck, keep us informed as to how your tests go...

 

[anytimeflowers]

Jon,

I am also volunteering my shop for test, this sounds interesting.

Have you used any dextrose with Bismuth-thiol? Have you noticed whether or not flowers develop the same as they would with a traditional florist nutrient? You say it keeps the stems clear and un-plugged for nutrients to flow, so I'm wondering if you have introduced any nutrients.

Thousands more questions! Keep it coming!
Linda