Detergent Brands Research Articles

Effects of Biodegradable Detergents in Morphological Parameters of Liver in Two Neotropical Fish Species (Prochilodus lineatus and Astyanax altiparanae)

Indiscriminate disposal of residues of domestic and/or industrial origin in aquatic ecosystems resulting from urban activities causes concern about their effects on the fauna. Substances absorbed by animals, such as those cited above, are metabolized by the liver, as it is the main target organ of several pollutants and also exercises basic vital functions in the organism. For this reason the liver is used as the main and most reliable biomarker in environmental studies. Thus the objective of the present study was to identify hepatic alterations resulting from exposure to water contaminated by a few commercial brands of biodegradable detergents and their effects when present together with several other contaminants found in nature. For such, a solution of 1 ppm of biodegradable detergents and water from an urban lake were tested on two widely distributed native Brazilian fish (Astyanax altiparanae and Prochilodus lineatus). Several alterations were found on the liver, including cytoplasm vacuolization, nuclear displacement, macrophage recruitment and reduced liver glycogen, showing a degenerative process in the liver of the fish, due to the action of contaminants.

A COMPARISON OF TEST MARKETING OBJECTIVES, METHODS, AND PRACTICES AMONG DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN CONSUMER GOODS MANUFACTURING FIRMS

ABSTRACT Test marketing is an expensive research undertaken by consumer products manufacturers; direct costs for a standard market test can range from $3 million to more than $10 million (Churchil et al. 2010, Armstrong and Kotler 2013). Test marketing is an experimental procedure which provides an opportunity to test a new product under realistic market conditions to obtain a measure of potential sales in the national distribution. United States firms are pioneers of test marketing procedures. It is widely acknowledged in the U.S. that test marketing plays important part in the new product development process. On an average, 59 and 53 percent of Fortune 500 firms conducted test marketing on a regular basis prior to introducing a new product to the national market (Twedt 1983 Kinnear and Root 1989). The motivations for test marketing are to obtain a reliable forecast of future sales, pretest alternative marketing plans, and prove-up concepts and tweak packaging and advertising presentations while tightening sales and profit forecasts. Firms often use multiple test market sites to test different product positioning strategies, to observe potential impacts on the entire product line, such as cannibalization, and to assess the reaction of the sales force, retailers, and distributors of the new product while acquiring valuable customer feedback. Just as there is good reason to test-market a product in a domestic market, an international test can also give the firm valuable insights into the launch of global products. A common approach to international test marketing is to use a single country as a proving ground before other markets are entered. In Europe, smaller markets such as the Holland, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland may be used to launch a new product. Because of these countries’ small size, a test would include national introduction, and the results would be applicable in other countries (Gillespie and Hennessey 2011). Further, it is important to test a new product under actual market conditions for compatibility in a different environment, especially outside the home country, before introducing it in full-scale (Keegan and Green 2013). Failure to assess actual use conditions can lead to big surprises. For example, Unilever spent $300 million to develop a new detergent, which was formulated with stain-fighting chemicals intended to clean fabrics faster, but instead the new formula resulted in damaging clothing items. The company lost the opportunity to gain share against P & G in Europe when it rolled out a new detergent brand in Europe without sufficient testing (Wentz 1995). Sometimes, however, a test market takes place in country other than the country of the initial launch. For example, IBM tested a new branding campaign for its Global Services line in Canada but launched it in the United States and Carewell Industries test-marketed a toothbrush in Singapore before its U.S. launch (Davis and Young 2002). Microsoft and Motorola often test-market in South Korea-where nearly three out of four homes have broadband Internet access, before launching products in the U.S. market (Advertising Age 1999). Heinz tested its new teenager-oriented ketchup campaign in Canada and then rolled it out worldwide with minor modifications. Despite these successful examples, circumstances are never exactly the same from one national market to another, and extrapolating results from one test market in one country to other countries must therefore, be done with caution (Gillespie and Hennessey 2011). Beyond benefits of a test market to the individual firm, one must also recognize such a market test informs competitors of the firm’s activities and thus, may increase the speed and effectiveness of a competitive response. For example, Proctor and Gamble discontinued its Olay cosmetics after three years of continued test marketing when Revlon’s Almay and Johnson& Johnson’s Neutrogena had bit it in the marketplace with the same benefits accompanied by heavy advertising (Advertising Age 2001). Certain considerations for deciding to test-market include when: (1) acceptance of product concept is very uncertain, (2) sales potential is difficult to estimate, (3) cost of developing consumer awareness and trial is difficult to estimate, (4) a major investment is required to produce the at full scale (relative to the cost of marketing), and (5) alternative prices, packages, or promotional appeals are under consideration. (Gultinan and Paul 1994). Similarly, reasons for not test-marketing include when: (1) the risk of failure is low relative to test-marketing costs, (2) the product will have a brief life cycle, (3) beating competition to the market is important because the product is easily imitated, and (4) basic price, package, and promotional appeals are well established. (Gultinan and Paul 1994)

Effect of Different Concentrations of Detergent on Dissolved Oxygen Consumption in Anabas testudineus

Kerala, on the South Western tip of Peninsular India is blessed with the South western and South Eastern monsoon which contributes to its vast fresh water bodies. But pollution of these water bodies has created physiological stress on its aquatic fauna. Among various forms of pollution in water bodies, detergent pollution has an immediate and detrimental effect on the aquatic fauna. Anabas testudineus, a common fresh water fish in Kerala was used in our study to determine the effect of detergent pollution on the fish's breathing. Three different concentrations of a popular brand of detergent were prepared and the amounts of Dissolved Oxygen consumed by fishes exposed to the detergent were determined using Winkler's method. Our study demonstrated that Dissolved Oxygen consumption in Anabas testudineus increases in the presence of detergent. This is due to the stress caused by the detergent on the normal physiological activities of the fish. Draining of domestic sewage containing detergents into water bodies adversely affect its aquatic fauna.

Assessment of aquatic wastewater pollution in a highly industrialized zone with sediment linear alkylbenzenes

Forty-five sediment samples collected from Dongjiang River, which drains one of the most industrialized and urbanized regions in South China, were analyzed for 19 linear alkylbenzene (LAB) components. The sample dry weight-based concentrations of total LABs (ΣLAB) ranged from 1.5 to 410 ng/g. Comparison of the relative abundances of n-dodecylbenzenes (or C(12) -LABs) and internal to external ratio (I/E) values in riverine sediment, wastewater, and sediment samples from the outfalls of paper mills, as well as three brands of domestic detergents obtained from the present and previous studies, implicated the occurrence of untreated wastewater in the sampling sites. Levels of ΣLAB were significantly linear correlated with those of total organic carbon (TOC) but not with those of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Multiple linear regression integrated principal component analysis indicated that 56% of LABs in wastewater in the study area were treated, but the extent of degradation of LABs was low. Finally, it is proposed that ineffective law enforcement and loopholes in the current regulations for wastewater discharge account for the substantial amount (44%) of untreated wastewater discharged in the study region.

PERSEPSI KONSUMEN TERHADAP PERSAINGAN ANTAR MEREK MELALUI IKLAN (STUDI KASUS PERSAINGAN ANTAR PRODUK DETERJEN RINSO DAN SO KLIN)

This research aims to know about consumer perception of detergent brand competition in Indonesia, focused in Rinso and So Klin by advertising or nonadvertising. The result of this research indicated that 58 percent of the respondent claimed brand competition between Rinso and So Klin was the most dominant, and 25 percent of the respondent claimed that Rinso was competing with Surf, whereas Surf and Rinso were one product which were made as fighting brand to attack other brand competitors. Only 11 percent of them perceived the competition between Surf dan So Klin. The result of contingency correlation is 0,54 and the level of confidence is 0,01. It indicated that there was a correlation between advertising and consumer perception in detergent brand competition. Key word : consumer perception, merk, competition, fighting brand, brand competition

Chemical emissions from residential dryer vents during use of fragranced laundry products

Common laundry products, used in washing and drying machines, can contribute to outdoor emissions through dryer vents. However, the types and amounts of chemicals emitted are largely unknown. To investigate these emissions, we analyzed the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) both in the headspace of fragranced laundry products and in the air emitted from dryer vents during use of these products. In a controlled study of washing and drying laundry, we sampled emissions from two residential dryer vents during the use of no products, fragranced detergent, and fragranced detergent plus fragranced dryer sheet. Our analyses found more than 25 VOCs emitted from dryer vents, with the highest concentrations of acetaldehyde, acetone, and ethanol. Seven of these VOCs are classified as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and two as carcinogenic HAPs (acetaldehyde and benzene) with no safe exposure level, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. As context for significance, the acetaldehyde emissions during use of one brand of laundry detergent would represent 3% of total acetaldehyde emissions from automobiles in the study area. Our study points to the need for additional research on this source of emissions and the potential impacts on human and environmental health.

P&G Is Selling Oxydol!

Todd Wichmann and Rich Owen must decide whether to leave their dream jobs working for Procter & Gamble (P&G) and start their own business. They need to engage in the business planning process to decide whether to purchase Oxydol, one of the oldest detergent brands at P&G. This includes assessing whether Oxydol represents a good opportunity and if they can turn around the brand's declining sales. The most difficult challenge for Todd and Rich, though, involves finding venture capital funding for purchasing a detergent brand at a time when venture capitalists invest mainly in high technology and Internet ventures.

Rapid DNA extraction of bacterial genome using laundry detergents and assessment of the efficiency of DNA in downstream process using polymerase chain reaction

Genomic DNA extraction from bacterial cells involves processes normally performed in most biological laboratories. Therefore, various methods have been offered, manually and kit, but these methods may be time consuming and costly. In this paper, genomic DNA extraction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated using some laundry detergent brands available in Iran. Afterwards, efficiency of the detergents was compared with manually standard methods and kits. To evaluate the efficiency of the genomic DNA in the processes in which DNA is used as a template, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and enzyme digestion of PCR product were used. The results show that the detergents could be used to extract genomic DNA. Among the brands studied, five-enzyme Taj and three-enzyme Saftlan had the best performance compared to standard methods. Key words : Bacterial genome, DNA extraction, laundry powder, detergent.

Purification and characterization of the kinetic parameters of cellulase produced from wheat straw by Trichoderma viride under SSF and its detergent compatibility

This paper reports the purification and characterization of kinetic parameters of cellulase produced from Trichoderma viride under still culture solid state fermentation technique using cheap and an easily available agricultural waste material, wheat straw as growth supported substrate. Trichoderma viride was cultured in fermentation medium of wheat straw under some previously optimized growth conditions and maximum activity of 398±2.43U/mL obtained after stipulated fermentation time period. Cellulase was purified 2.33 fold with specific activity of 105U/mg in comparison to crude enzyme extract using ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis and Sephadex-G-100 column chromatography. The enzyme was shown to have a relative low molecular weight of 58kDa by sodium dodecyl sulphate poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme displayed 6.5 and 55oC as an optimum pH and temperature respectively. Using carboxymethyl cellulose as substrate, the enzyme showed maximum activity (Vmax) of 148U/mL with its corresponding KM value of 68µM. Among activators/inhibitors SDS, EDTA, and Hg2+ showed inhibitory effect on purified cellulase whereas, the enzyme activated by Co2+ and Mn2+ at a concentration of 1mM. The purified cellulase was compatible with four local detergent brands with up to 20 days of shelf life at room temperature suggesting its potential as a detergent additive for improved washing therefore, it is concluded that it may be potentially useful for industrial purposes especially for detergent and laundry industry.

P&G is Selling Oxydol!

Todd Wichmann and Rich Owen must decide whether to leave their dream jobs working for Procter & Gamble (P&G) and start their own business. They need to engage in the business planning process to decide whether to purchase Oxydol, one of the oldest detergent brands at P&G. This includes assessing whether Oxydol represents a good opportunity and if they can turn around the brand's declining sales. The most difficult challenge for Todd and Rich, though, involves finding venture capital funding for purchasing a detergent brand at a time when venture capitalists invest mainly in high technology and Internet ventures.

Characteristics of an extracellular protease isolated fromBacillus subtilis AG-1 and its performance in relation to detergent components

An extracellular protease isolated fromBacillus subtilis AG-1 was investigated with respect to various detergents and formulation components. The enzyme had optimum at pH 8.0 and 60 °C temperature while zymographic study revealed two activity bands of 24.9 and 18 kDa. It showed high stability towards non-ionic (Tween 20, Tween 80, Triton X-100) and anionic surfactants sodium dodycyl sulfate (SDS), retaining 100 and 71% of its original activity. Another distinctive feature of the enzyme was its efficient stability towards hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium perborate and different commercial detergent brands. AG-1 protease was also examined for its activity/performance in combination with different stabilizers like glycerol, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Enzyme showed a promising activity in the presence of this polyols especially PEG (8000). Whilst its compatibility with different commercially available powder and liquid detergents was also very interesting. These results suggest AG-1 protease as a good detergent compatible and can be utilized in the formulation of an environment friendly bio-detergent.

2007 ISMS Practice Prize Competition—Special Section Introduction

We introduce the work of the finalists in the 2007 ISMS Practice Prize Competition, representing the best examples of rigor plus relevance that our profession produces. The winner, describing a collaboration between National Academies Press and a team based at the University of Maryland, involves a sequenced program of research to calibrate price sensitivity of digital media. The other two finalists address a model to optimize the distribution of used cars geographically depending on local conditions, and a model to use price and distribution strategies to improve product profitability of P&G's heavy-duty detergent brands in India.

Environmental value chain management of laundry detergents in the use phase

AbstractEnvironmental value chain management is concerned with the environmental aspects of products and services along the whole value chain, from raw material and energy acquisition to waste management. The use phase in the value chain remains an understudied subject, despite considerable consumption‐related environmental impacts. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the use phase of laundry detergents in households. Our empirical data consist of interviews in the laundry rooms of 299 Finnish households. Consumers’ environmental awareness, use of dosage measuring devices and actual doses of laundry detergents are studied in the empirical part of the study. The results show that consumers do not perceive households as significant polluters, the measuring devices they use are diverse and the number of ‘heavy users’ is high in all detergent brands. It is concluded that in the consumption of laundry detergents, consumers do not perceive environmental issues as specific value criteria in relation to the use of laundry detergents. Manufacturers, marketers and other actors in the value chain of laundry detergents could contribute to alleviating the harmful environmental impacts of the use phase by more effective consumer education and better product design. For consumers, it might be beneficial to adopt eco‐efficiency thinking in their daily consumption.

Properties of an amylase from thermophilic Bacillus SP.

α-Amylase production by thermophilic Bacillus sp strain SMIA-2 cultivated in liquid cultures containing soluble starch as a carbon source and supplemented with 0.05% whey protein and 0.2% peptone reached a maximum activity at 32 h, with levels of 37 U/mL. Studies on the amylase characterization revealed that the optimum temperature of this enzyme was 90°C. The enzyme was stable for 1 h at temperatures ranging from 40-50°C while at 90°C, 66% of its maximum activity was lost. However, in the presence of 5 mM CaCl2, the enzyme was stable at 90°C for 30 min and retained about 58% residual activity after 1 h. The optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be 8.5. After incubation of enzyme for 2 h at pH 9.5 and 11.0 was observed a decrease of about 6.3% and 16.5% of its original activity. At pH 6.0 the enzyme lost about 36% of its original activity. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by Co2+, Cu2+ and Ba2+, but less affected by Mg2+, Na+ and K+. In the presence of 2.0 M NaCl, 63% of amylase activity was retained after 2 h incubation at 45°C. The amylase exhibited more than 70% activity when incubated for 1 h at 50°C with sodium dodecyl sulphate. However, very little residual activity was obtained with sodium hypochlorite and with hydrogen peroxide the enzyme was completely inhibited. The compatibility of Bacillus sp SMIA-2 amylase with certain commercial detergents was shown to be good as the enzyme retained 86%, 85% and 75% of its activity after 20 min incubation at 50°C in the presence of the detergent brands Omo®, Campeiro® and Tide®, respectively.

Partial characterization of a crude alkaline protease from <italic>Bacillus circulans</italic> and its detergent compatibility

An extracellular alkaline protease of Bacillus circulans MTCC7906 was produced using cotton deoiled meal replacing nitrogen source in the production medium at a pH of 10.5, temperature of 25C in 96 hours of incubation. The enzyme purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and dialysis showed optimum activity at 60C and pH 9.0 with an enzyme concentration of 3.33% of reaction mixture at a casein concentration of 14mg ml-1. SDS PAGE of the crude enzyme revealed it as 24.5 kDa protein. The enzyme was stable at room temperature for 20 days and its activity was enhanced by Ca, Mn, Zn, Co and Ba while inhibited by Hg, Cu, NH4OH and EDTA suggesting it as a metal dependent serine protease. The alkaline protease was compatible with six local powdered detergent brands retaining more than 90% activity.

Serious injuries from dishwasher powder ingestions in small children

To describe patterns and severity of caustic injuries sustained from dishwasher powder ingestion and highlight need for national safety standards. Retrospective chart review of admissions for caustic ingestion to Starship Children's Hospital from January 2003 to January 2005 and review of New Zealand National Poisons Centre data. Between January 2003 and January 2005, the National Poisons Centre recorded 610 dishwashing powder ingestions, with 88% of children less than 2 years old. Twenty-three children were admitted to Starship Children's Hospital following caustic ingestion, of whom 11 were identified as having ingested dishwasher powder (9 boys and 2 girls) and were aged 11 to 30 months (mean 17.5). Five children (45%) were admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit over 4 months (October 2004 to January 2005), requiring intubation for airway control. Two children needed tracheostomy. Three of the 11 children (27%) required repeated oesophageal dilatation, and two underwent gastrostomy formation. One brand of dishwasher detergent and container type was implicated in over half of the cases. Dishwasher detergents are highly corrosive substances that cause potentially life-threatening injuries and ongoing morbidity. The recent surge of incidents may be related to change in product constituents or non-compliance with New Zealand safety standards. Efforts to limit product alkalinity, legislative requirement of Child-Resistant Packaging and public education may reduce injuries from these common household substances.

Modeling consideration sets and brand choice using artificial neural networks

Brand choice can be viewed as a two-step process. Households first construct a consideration set, which does not necessarily include all available brands, and then make a final choice from this set. In this paper we put forward an econometric model for this two-step process, where we take into account that consideration sets usually are not observed. Our model is an artificial neural network, where the consideration set corresponds with the hidden layer of the network. We discuss representation, parameter estimation and inference. We illustrate our model for the choice between six detergent brands and show that the model improves upon one-step models, in terms of fit and out-of-sample forecasting.

Effects of laundry detergents on Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Euroglyphus maynei

House-dust mites in clothing and bedding are the source of major allergens. Based on studies of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus only, weekly washing in hot water is recommended to kill dust mites and remove allergens from clothing and bedding. However, in the United States, washing is most often done in warm or cold water, and other mite species are involved. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lethal effects of various temperatures of hot water alone and hot, warm, and cold water containing detergents and chlorine bleach on Dermatophagoidesfarinae, D. pteronyssinus, and Euroglyphus maynei. Mites were soaked in test solutions at various temperatures and for various lengths of time, allowed time to recover, and then analyzed for survival. D. farinae was the most temperature-sensitive and chlorine bleach-sensitive of the three species. In 50 degrees C water alone, 100% mortality for D. farinae was obtained in 10 minutes, whereas most D. pteronyssinus and E. maynei survived. However, 53 degrees C-soaks for 12 and 5 minutes were needed to kill all D. pteronyssinus and E. maynei, respectively. Laundry detergents at their recommended and doubled concentrations and chlorine bleach generally increased mite mortalities over water alone for the three species. Soaking for 4 hours in warm water containing various detergents alone induced mortalities of 19 to 50%, 2 to 35%, and 14 to 46% for D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, and E. maynei, respectively. Washing bed linens weekly in warm water with a 4-hour presoak containing most detergents and bleach will kill most D. farinae and, depending on the detergent brand, moderate numbers of D. pteronyssinus. Four-hour soaks in warm water containing the recommended concentrations of various detergents alone also kills moderate numbers of D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, and E. maynei. Therefore, the cumulative effect of weekly washing with long presoaks should significantly reduce mite levels over time in bed linens, particularly when mattresses and pillows are encased to prevent reinfestation.

Effectiveness of laundry washing agents and conditions in the removal of cat and dust mite allergen from bedding dust

Background: There is limited information about the removal of allergens by laundry washing. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the dynamics of the removal of mite allergen (Der p 1) and cat allergen (Fel d 1) from bed dust during simulated laundry processes. Methods: Three studies were performed. The first compared combinations of 4 laundry agents (water alone, soap, detergent with enzymes, and detergent without enzymes), 4 temperatures (15°, 25°, 45°, and 60°C), and 3 extraction times (5, 20, and 60 minutes). The second study examined allergen extraction by 11 common brands of detergents at 25° and 45°C for 5 minutes. The third study compared 4 detergents containing enzymes before and after the denaturation of their enzymes. To measure the quantity of allergens extracted, each study used an ELISA assay as well as a more sensitive but semiquantitative Halogen immunoassay to detect any allergens remaining after the simulated laundry extraction. Results: Study 1 showed that detergents extracted more of both Fel d 1 and Der p 1 than either soap or water alone and that almost all allergens were extracted within 5 minutes at 25°. However, washing at 60°C extracted slightly more Fel d 1 and denatured Der p 1, resulting in lower residual amounts of both allergens. Study 2 showed that all of the commercial detergents performed similarly. Study 3 showed that the presence of enzymes in detergent formulations did not produce a significant effect on the extraction of allergens. Conclusion: Using detergent solutions at 25° for at least 5 minutes was sufficient to extract most mite and cat allergen from dust of bedding. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:369-74.)

Marketing strategy and market value:: An event-study analysis

Clearly, managers must take into consideration the possible effect of their marketing strategies on the value of the firm. Charles Pahud de Mortanges and Alireza Tourani Rad use event-study analysis to test the hypothesis that the stock market value of a firm can be negatively affected by bad publicity related to a marketing strategy. Specifically, the authors explore the effect of the introduction, bad publicity and subsequent recall and modification of a major brand of laundry detergent in The Netherlands, Omo Power, on the stock price of its manufacturers, Unilever. It is concluded that the marketing strategy itself was flawed.