Portable potato sample collection device and fresh sample preservation method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of biological sample collection and preservation, and discloses a portable potato sample collection device and a fresh sample preservation method. The placing mechanism and the storage mechanism are arranged in the box; a color development gas control sheet is arranged in the integrated functional test tube; an atmosphere response type state indication paste; the invention discloses a porous ceramic synergistic ring. The method comprises the following steps: putting an obtained potato sample into a test tube pre-containing a composite biological fresh-locking solution and a porous ceramic synergistic ring; a sealing cover with a color development gas control sheet is used for sealing; reversing the test tube to trigger a gas generation reaction, and completing process confirmation through color change of the color development gas control sheet; the test tube is placed uprightly and refrigerated for preservation, and result confirmation is completed through color change of the atmosphere response type state indication paste. According to the invention, active regulation and control and dual visual verification of the sample preservation process are realized, and the reliability and standardization level of on-site sample treatment are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biological sample collection and preservation technology, specifically a portable potato sample collection device and a method for preserving fresh samples. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as potato breeding, pathological research, and agricultural product quality testing, it is necessary to obtain tissue samples from potato tubers in their original environment, such as in the field, and transport them to the laboratory for subsequent analysis. Currently, the process of collecting and preserving samples in the field is generally characterized by cumbersome procedures and poor preservation effects. Operators typically need to carry multiple separation tools, such as samplers, sample tubes, insulated boxes, and various preservation reagents, which not only increases the complexity of on-site operations but also makes it easy to introduce contamination due to the transfer of samples between multiple containers or devices.

[0003] More importantly, once potato tissue samples are separated from the parent plant, their internal enzyme systems (such as polyphenol oxidase) are rapidly activated, reacting with oxygen in the air and causing rapid oxidative browning and physiological degradation. This change severely affects the accuracy of subsequent experimental analyses. Existing preservation methods mostly rely on low-temperature refrigeration or simple immersion in antioxidant solutions. These methods are often passive and reactive, failing to effectively inhibit physiological activity and oxidation processes immediately after sample removal. Furthermore, routine procedures lack effective monitoring methods to ensure that the sample preservation environment truly meets the expected standards, resulting in inconsistent final preservation quality and low reliability.

[0004] Therefore, this invention proposes a portable potato sample collection device and a fresh sample preservation method to address the shortcomings of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a portable potato sample collection device and a fresh sample preservation method. This solves the problem that existing technologies lack a portable integrated device capable of integrating sample acquisition, immediate processing, status confirmation, and low-temperature storage and transportation during field potato sample collection. Furthermore, in terms of fresh sample preservation, there is a lack of a preservation method that can provide intuitive verification of the establishment process of the preservation environment through the synergistic effect of multiple mechanisms. This leads to the problem that samples are prone to oxidation and degradation during the period from collection to analysis, affecting the accuracy of subsequent test results.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the first aspect of this invention provides a portable potato sample collection device.

[0007] The portable potato sample collection device includes: PU foam insulated box; A placement mechanism is installed inside the PU foam insulation box, which is used to accommodate the sampling cylinder and the push rod. The storage mechanism located inside the PU foam insulation box has multiple slots for placing test tubes. The sampling mechanism is used to obtain potato samples through a sampling tube and to place the potato samples into the test tube through the push rod.

[0008] The test tubes used in the device have a complete set of internal components that work together to create a controlled and verifiable microenvironment for sample preservation.

[0009] The test tube includes a test tube body, the test tube body having a sealing cap for sealing the opening of the test tube body, a colorimetric gas control sheet provided on the inner side of the sealing cap, an atmosphere-responsive status indicator sticker provided on the inner wall of the test tube body, and a porous ceramic enhancement ring provided at the bottom of the test tube body.

[0010] The colorimetric gas-generating plate is formed by pressing a solid gas-generating reactant with a pH indicator. When it comes into contact with a liquid pre-placed at the bottom of a test tube, the solid gas-generating reactant undergoes a chemical reaction, generating an inert gas that displaces oxygen in the tube. Simultaneously, the pH change caused by the reaction causes the pH indicator to change color, providing the operator with immediate and intuitive confirmation of whether the gas generation reaction has begun.

[0011] The atmosphere-responsive status indicator patch contains an indicator sensitive to specific gas concentrations. Once the atmosphere inside the tube is successfully purged and the oxygen concentration drops below a predetermined threshold, the indicator patch undergoes an independent and distinct color change. This design provides a second, outcome-based verification of whether the final storage environment meets the requirements.

[0012] The porous ceramic enhancement ring is a sintered porous structure. It serves a dual function during sample preservation: First, the specific surface area of ​​the porous ceramic enhancing ring enables it to adsorb and slowly release the pre-placed composite biological freshness-locking liquid, ensuring that the potato sample can be in continuous and sufficient contact with the liquid after placement. Secondly, during the gas generation reaction, its porous surface provides a large number of nucleation sites for gas generation, allowing the gas to be released in a stable and diffuse manner, thus avoiding the impact on the sample caused by violent local gas reactions.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention provides a portable method for preserving fresh potato samples, which is applied to the aforementioned apparatus.

[0014] The method includes the following steps: S1. Place the potato sample into the test tube body, so that the potato sample comes into contact with the porous ceramic enhancement ring and composite biological freshness-locking liquid pre-placed at the bottom of the test tube body; S2. Seal the opening of the test tube body using a sealing cap with a colorimetric gas control sheet; S3. Invert the sealed test tube body to wet the colorimetric gas control sheet with the composite biological freshness-locking liquid, thereby triggering a gas generation reaction to adjust the atmosphere inside the test tube body, and confirm the activation of the reaction by the color change of the colorimetric gas control sheet. S4. Place the activated test tube body in a storage facility for refrigerated preservation.

[0015] In this technical solution, the composite biological freshness-locking liquid used in step S1 provides multi-dimensional chemical and physical protection for the sample through the synergistic effect of its internal components.

[0016] Firstly, the liquid contains free-form antioxidants and antioxidants encapsulated in sustained-release microcapsules. The former takes effect immediately upon sample placement, while the latter continues to be released during subsequent storage, together providing immediate and long-lasting antioxidant protection for the sample.

[0017] Secondly, the calcium ions in the calcium salt contained in the liquid can cross-link with the pectic acid in the cell wall of the potato sample, forming a physical reinforcement structure with higher mechanical strength on the cut surface of the sample, inhibiting enzymatic reactions and maintaining the integrity of the tissue morphology.

[0018] In this technical solution, the atmosphere conditioning process in step S3 includes a dual confirmation mechanism.

[0019] First, by observing the color change of the color-changing gas control sheet itself, it was confirmed that the gas generation reaction had been successfully triggered.

[0020] Subsequently, by observing the color change of the atmosphere-responsive status indicator sticker set on the inner wall of the test tube, it was confirmed that the oxygen in the tube had been effectively replaced and the low-oxygen storage environment had been successfully established.

[0021] This dual verification design, which includes process verification and result verification, ensures that each sample is in a standard and valid preservation state.

[0022] This invention provides a portable potato sample collection device and a method for preserving fresh samples. It has the following beneficial effects: 1. The portable potato sample collection device provided by this invention systematically integrates the sampling mechanism, the placement mechanism for containing sampling consumables, and the storage mechanism for refrigeration preservation into a single PU foam insulated box, realizing an integrated on-site operation platform. This allows the entire process from sample acquisition and immediate processing to low-temperature storage and transportation to be completed within a single device, significantly improving operational efficiency and standardization in field environments such as those in the field, and effectively reducing the risk of cross-contamination or environmental exposure caused by transferring samples between multiple devices.

[0023] 2. The technical solution of this invention achieves active and rapid regulation of the sample preservation microenvironment by setting a colorimetric gas control plate inside the test tube and cooperating with a specific inversion operation. This design differs from traditional passive preservation methods, as it actively generates a protective gas to replace the original air inside the tube, thereby rapidly constructing a low-oxygen environment that inhibits sample oxidation and degradation. This active regulation provides more immediate and effective physiological activity inhibition conditions for fresh potato samples, which is key to maintaining the original state of the sample.

[0024] 3. This invention establishes a visualized, dual-verification mechanism for the sample preservation process through the combined application of a colorimetric gas control sheet and an atmosphere-responsive status indicator. Operators can not only instantly confirm the successful triggering of the gas generation reaction through color changes in the colorimetric gas control sheet, but also ultimately confirm the formation of a suitable low-oxygen environment within the tube through color changes in the atmosphere-responsive status indicator. This mechanism ensures that the preservation treatment of each sample undergoes dual verification of process initiation and final result, greatly improving the standardization level of sample processing and the reliability of the final preservation effect.

[0025] 4. The fresh sample preservation method employed in this invention achieves multi-dimensional protection of potato samples through the synergistic effect of a composite biological preservative solution and a porous ceramic enhancing ring. The composite biological preservative solution not only provides continuous antioxidant protection through slow-release technology but also forms a physically enhanced structure through ionic cross-linking reactions; while the porous ceramic enhancing ring further enhances the effects of chemical and physical protection through the slow release of the liquid and the optimization of gas generation. This multi-mechanism synergistic design, compared to a single preservation method, can more comprehensively maintain the tissue integrity and biochemical stability of the sample. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 The three-dimensional representation of the present invention Figure 1 ; Figure 2 The three-dimensional representation of the present invention Figure 2 ; Figure 3 This is a top view of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall unfolded state of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sampling mechanism of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the test tube of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the method flow of the present invention.

[0027] The components include: 1. PU foam insulation box; 2. Handle; 3. Grip mechanism; 301. Grip; 302. Connecting cylinder; 4. Placement mechanism; 401. Drawer; 402. Placement slot one; 403. Placement box; 404. Cover plate; 5. Lock; 6. Storage mechanism; 601. Turntable; 602. Arc handle; 603. Placement slot two; 604. Cylindrical slot; 605. Ring slot; 7. Fan-shaped placement cylinder mechanism; 701. Fan-shaped cylinder; 702. Velcro a; 8. Test tube; 801. Test tube body; 802. Colorimetric gas control sheet; 803. Atmosphere-responsive status indicator; 804. Porous ceramic enhancement ring; 9. Positioning column; 10. Sampling cylinder; 11. Push rod; 12. Refrigerator; 13. Velcro b. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 The three-dimensional representation of the present invention Figure 1 ; Figure 2 The three-dimensional representation of the present invention Figure 2 ; Figure 3 This is a top view of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall unfolded state of the present invention. The present invention provides a portable potato sample collection device that integrates functional units for sample collection, consumable management, immediate sample processing, and low-temperature storage and transportation into a unified housing.

[0030] The device includes: a PU foam insulated box 1, with handles 2 on both sides for easy carrying. A grip mechanism 3 engages within a square groove on the top of the box lid. Opening the lid reveals the internal functional layout of the device. A placement mechanism 4 is slidably mounted on the outside of the PU foam insulated box 1, locked or unlocked by a latch 5 located on the outside of the box. The placement mechanism 4 is used to store consumables required during sampling and processing.

[0031] A positioning post 9 is vertically installed in the center of the inner side of the PU foam insulated box 1. A rotatable storage mechanism 6 is attached to the outside of the positioning post 9 for orderly placement of test tubes 8 containing potato samples. At the four corners of the inner side of the PU foam insulated box 1, a fan-shaped placement cylinder mechanism 7 can also be installed for placing other auxiliary tools (such as ice packs). At the bottom of the PU foam insulated box 1, a cooler 12 is installed to provide and maintain a low-temperature environment inside the box.

[0032] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sampling mechanism of the present invention. The sampling mechanism is used to obtain samples from potatoes. The mechanism includes a handle mechanism 3, a sampling cylinder 10 that can be connected to the handle mechanism 3, and a push rod 11 disposed inside the sampling cylinder 10. In use, the sampling cylinder 10 is connected to the connecting cylinder 302 in the middle of the handle mechanism 3 through a threaded structure at one end, and the operator holds the handle 301 to take a sample. After obtaining the sample, the cylindrical potato sample is pushed out of the sampling cylinder 10 by the push rod 11.

[0033] Reference Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the test tube of the present invention. One of the core elements of this technical solution is a test tube 8 integrating multiple functional components. The test tube 8 includes a test tube body 801, a colorimetric gas control sheet 802 disposed inside a sealing cap for sealing the opening of the test tube body 801, an atmosphere-responsive status indicator sticker 803 adhered to the inner wall of the test tube body 801, and a porous ceramic enhancement ring 804 placed at the bottom of the test tube body 801. These components work together to construct a controllable and verifiable sample preservation microenvironment within the tube.

[0034] Reference Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the method flow of the present invention. The present invention also provides a portable method for preserving fresh potato samples, which is applied to the aforementioned device and specifically includes the following steps: S1: Place the potato sample obtained by the sampling mechanism into the test tube body 801, so that the potato sample comes into contact with the porous ceramic enhancement ring 804 and the composite biological freshness-locking liquid pre-placed at the bottom of the test tube body 801.

[0035] S2: Use a sealing cap with a colorimetric gas control plate 802 to airtightly seal the opening of the test tube body 801.

[0036] S3: Invert the sealed test tube body 801 to bring the composite biological freshness-locking liquid inside into contact with the colorimetric gas control tablet 802, thereby triggering a gas generation reaction. The principle of this reaction is that the colorimetric gas control tablet 802 is a compressed tablet containing a solid acid and a solid bicarbonate. When the liquid wets the tablet, a chemical reaction occurs between the two, generating carbon dioxide gas to regulate the atmosphere inside the test tube body 801. An example of this reaction is as follows: 3NaHCO3+C6H8O7→Na3C6H5O7+3H2O+3CO2↑; In this mixture, NaHCO3 is sodium bicarbonate, C6H8O7 is citric acid, Na3C6H5O7 is sodium citrate, H2O is water, and CO2 is carbon dioxide. Simultaneously, the pH change caused by this reaction will cause a color change in the pH indicator attached to the colorimetric gas control plate 802, thus providing the operator with visual confirmation of whether the reaction has started.

[0037] S4: Place the test tube body 801, which has completed step S3, upright and place it in the placement slot 603 of the storage mechanism 6, and use the refrigerator 12 for cold storage.

[0038] The apparatus and method constitute a complete portable potato sample collection and fresh sample preservation system. This system may include: The sample consumables management module a, which corresponds to the placement mechanism 4, is used for the orderly management of consumables such as the sampling cylinder 10 and the push rod 11; The sample storage and temperature control module b, which corresponds to the combination of storage mechanism 6 and refrigerator 12, is used to store the processed test tube body 801 in an orderly and low-temperature manner. The sample microenvironment construction and verification module c corresponds to the test tube 8, which integrates a colorimetric gas control sheet 802, an atmosphere-responsive status indicator 803, and a porous ceramic enhancement ring 804, and is used to realize the active construction and status confirmation of the sample preservation microenvironment.

[0039] The following will combine Figures 1 to 7 The device structure in the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The portable potato sample collection device provided by this invention is designed to offer an integrated work platform that allows for independent on-site operation. The device uses a PU foam insulated box 1 as its core carrier. The box material itself has excellent heat insulation properties. A telescopic handle is provided on one side of the box for easy carrying; handles 2 are provided on both sides for easy manual handling; and a grip mechanism 3 is fixed to the top of the lid via a snap-fit ​​mechanism. Inside the bottom of the box, a cooler 12 is installed to provide and maintain a stable low-temperature environment (e.g., 2-8°C) inside the box.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the cooler 12 is a semiconductor cooling assembly. This assembly utilizes the Peltier effect for cooling, and its core component is one or more semiconductor cooling chips. The assembly also includes an inner heat sink that contacts the cold end of the cooling chips to absorb heat from the inside of the enclosure, and an outer heat sink and cooling fan that contact the hot end of the cooling chips to expel heat to the outside of the PU foam insulation box 1. To achieve this structure, mounting openings matching the dimensions of the cooling assembly can be provided on the wall of the PU foam insulation box 1.

[0042] As a specific, non-limiting example, the thermoelectric cooler can be the commercially available TEC1-12706 model or a module with equivalent performance. This model typically operates at 12V, is compact (e.g., 40mm x 40mm), and has moderate cooling power, fully meeting the requirements for establishing a stable low-temperature environment within the small, portable insulated box of this invention. The cooler 12 can be powered by an external portable DC power supply (such as a 12V lithium battery pack) or a compatible power adapter. It provides and maintains a stable low-temperature environment within the box, which is fundamental for the refrigerated preservation of samples after processing. This layout, integrating functional accessories, operating mechanisms, and temperature control units into a single insulated box, ensures that the entire process from sample collection to preservation can be seamlessly integrated within a controlled, portable environment.

[0043] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5The internal functional mechanisms of the device achieve orderly separation and collaborative operation. Regarding the storage and retrieval of sample collection consumables, the placement mechanism 4 is a drawer 401 that slides out from one side of the PU foam insulated box 1 and is locked by a latch 5 located on the outside of the box to prevent accidental slippage during transportation. The top of the drawer 401 has multiple placement slots 402, each containing an independent placement box 403. Standard-sized consumables such as the sampling cylinder 10 and push rod 11 are neatly stored in the placement box 403. Used sampling cylinders 10 and push rods 11 are placed separately in the placement box 403 for subsequent unified disinfection. Each placement box 403 is equipped with a magnetic cover 404, which effectively secures the internal consumables and allows for quick one-handed retrieval by the operator.

[0044] Regarding the storage and management of sample tubes, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The storage mechanism 6 has a rotatable turntable 601. A cylindrical groove 604 is located at the center of the bottom of the turntable 601. This groove 604 engages with a positioning post 9 located at the center of the interior of the cabinet, allowing the turntable 601 to rotate stably around the positioning post 9. A retaining bead is located on the outside of the positioning post 9, while an annular groove 605, which engages with the retaining bead, is located on the inner wall of the cylindrical groove 604. This provides a tactile feedback when the turntable 601 rotates, allowing it to precisely stop at a preset position. This facilitates the operator in quickly selecting or placing any test tube 8 located in the second placement slot 603 by rotating the arc-shaped handle 602 at the top. After sampling is complete or the turntable 601 is filled, it can be lifted using the arc-shaped handle 602. The retaining bead on the outside of the positioning post 9 prevents the test tubes 8 from falling during transfer. The test tubes 8 containing the samples are then placed in a uniform refrigerated cabinet, labeled, and managed.

[0045] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 To further enhance the cooling effect and endurance of the device, a fan-shaped placement cylinder mechanism 7 is also provided at the four inner corners of the PU foam insulation box 1, which works in conjunction with the cooler 12. This mechanism is specifically designed to hold ice packs and other cold storage agents.

[0046] The main body of the fan-shaped placement cylinder mechanism 7 is a fan-shaped cylinder 701, whose cross-sectional shape fits tightly against the inner corner of the box, thus achieving effective utilization of corner space. To promote the circulation of cold air, multiple round holes are provided on the arc-shaped cylinder wall of the fan-shaped cylinder 701. When ice packs are placed inside, these round holes ensure that the cold air generated by the ice packs can fully convect and exchange with the internal space of the box, thereby assisting the refrigerator 12 to reduce and maintain the internal temperature of the box more quickly and evenly.

[0047] To achieve a detachable and fixed connection between the mechanism and the box, Velcro a702 is provided on the outer arc-shaped wall of the fan-shaped cylinder 701, and Velcro b13 is provided on the corresponding position on the inner wall of the PU foam insulation box 1. By attaching the two together, the fan-shaped placement cylinder mechanism 7 can be securely fixed inside the box, and it is also convenient to remove or replace it as needed.

[0048] Regarding the sample acquisition process, refer to Figure 6 The sampling mechanism consists of a handle mechanism 3, a sampling cylinder 10, and a push rod 11. The handle mechanism 3 has a connecting cylinder 302 in the middle of its handle 301, and the inner wall of the connecting cylinder 302 is threaded. One end of the sampling cylinder 10 has a matching external thread. This threaded connection allows the sampling cylinder 10 to be assembled or disassembled with the handle mechanism 3 as a quickly replaceable consumable. During operation, the assembled sampling mechanism is aligned with the potato and pressed to collect the sample. The potato is placed in a tray for sampling, and the sample is completely collected inside the sampling cylinder 10. Then, the push rod 11 is used to push the cylindrical potato sample out from the rear end of the sampling cylinder 10 and directly place it into the prepared test tube 8.

[0049] Reference Figure 7 The internal structure and working principle of the integrated functional test tube 8 are as follows: The colorimetric gas-controlling tablet 802 is fixed to the inner surface of the sealed cap of the test tube body 801. It is a solid tablet, formed by mixing and pressing a solid gas-producing reactant with a pH indicator. The gas-producing reactants are preferably solid acids (such as citric acid) and solid bicarbonates (such as sodium bicarbonate). When the test tube 8 is inverted, the tablet is moistened by the composite biological freshness-locking liquid inside the tube. The acid and bicarbonate then undergo a chemical reaction in the liquid medium, the reaction formula of which is: 3NaHCO3+C6H8O7→Na3C6H5O7+3H2O+3CO2↑; In this mixture, NaHCO3 is sodium bicarbonate, C6H8O7 is citric acid, Na3C6H5O7 is sodium citrate, H2O is water, and CO2 is carbon dioxide. Simultaneously, the pH change caused by this reaction will cause a color change in the pH indicator attached to the colorimetric gas control plate (802), thus providing the operator with a visual confirmation of whether the reaction has started.

[0050] The carbon dioxide (CO2) gas generated by the reaction rapidly displaces the air inside the tube, creating a low-oxygen environment. Simultaneously, the reaction consumes acidic substances, causing a significant change in the liquid's pH value, which in turn drives a visible color change in the attached pH indicator. This color change is direct evidence that the gas generation reaction has been initiated, providing the operator with initial process confirmation.

[0051] An atmosphere-responsive status indicator 803 is affixed to the inner wall of the test tube body 801, positioned in the upper-middle part where the sample and liquid typically do not directly contact each other, facilitating clear external observation. The surface of the indicator is coated with an indicator sensitive to specific gas concentrations, preferably a redox indicator sensitive to oxygen concentration, such as methylene blue. In normal oxygen-containing air, the indicator displays its oxidized state color (e.g., blue). When the oxygen in the tube is sufficiently replaced by generated carbon dioxide gas, and the oxygen concentration drops below a preset low threshold, the indicator is reduced, changing to its reduced state color (e.g., colorless). This color change provides a second layer of confirmation that the final storage environment has met the requirements.

[0052] A porous ceramic synergistic ring 804 is placed at the bottom of the test tube body 801. This ring is made of porous ceramic material produced by a high-temperature sintering process, exhibiting an overall structure with an extremely high specific surface area and an interconnected open pore network. This structure enables it to perform a dual synergistic function in the technical solution.

[0053] Firstly, as a liquid slow-release carrier and physical buffer, it can adsorb a large amount of compound biological freshness-locking liquid. When potato samples are placed in it, it can not only provide a soft buffer layer for the sample to prevent it from directly hitting the bottom of the tube, but also continuously supply liquid to the bottom of the sample through capillary action, and serve as a slow-release source for the entire liquid system.

[0054] Secondly, as an optimized site for gas reactions, its rough surface, rich in micropores, provides numerous nucleation sites for the formation of carbon dioxide bubbles in gas generation reactions. This promotes the uniform release of gas in the form of stable, diffuse microbubbles, avoiding physical impact or disturbance to the sample tissue caused by large bubbles generated by localized violent reactions.

[0055] Reference Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fresh sample preservation method in a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0056] Example: Preservation of potato samples using the method of the present invention Preparation of experimental materials: Preparation of the composite biological freshness-locking solution: The components of the composite biological freshness-locking solution used in this embodiment are exemplary and do not constitute a limitation on the components or concentrations. The liquid contains: ascorbic acid as an immediate antioxidant; sustained-release microcapsules with an ascorbic acid core encapsulated by ethyl cellulose as the wall material as a sustained antioxidant; calcium chloride as a physical enhancer; and a phosphate buffer solution for stabilizing the pH of the system. The above components are dissolved or dispersed in deionized water to prepare a homogeneous composite biological freshness-locking solution, which is then pre-dispensed into the bottom of each test tube 8.

[0057] Preparation and selection of functional components: Colorimetric gas control tablet 802 is made into solid tablets by mixing food-grade citric acid powder, sodium bicarbonate powder and bromothymol blue powder as a pH indicator in a suitable molar ratio and then compressing them.

[0058] The atmosphere-responsive status indicator sticker 803 uses a commercially available oxygen-free indicator sticker with methylene blue as a redox indicator. This indicator sticker is blue in an aerobic environment and turns colorless when the oxygen concentration is below a predetermined threshold.

[0059] The porous ceramic enhancement ring 804 is made of alumina porous ceramic rings sintered at high temperature, which have an interconnected open pore structure.

[0060] The operation steps are as follows: Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The potato sample preservation operation using the device and materials of this invention shall strictly follow the following steps: S1: Sample Placement. The operator holds the assembled sampling mechanism (including the handle mechanism 3 and the sampling tube 10) and obtains a standard cylindrical sample from the target potato tuber. Then, using the push rod 11, the potato sample is pushed out of the sampling tube 10 and directly placed into the test tube 8, which is pre-filled with a composite biological freshness-locking solution and a porous ceramic synergistic ring 804. After the sample falls in, its lower end contacts the porous ceramic synergistic ring 804, which is soaked in the liquid.

[0061] S2: Airtight seal. Take a sealing cap with a colorimetric gas control plate 802 and screw it tightly onto the opening of test tube 8 to form an airtight sealed chamber. At this time, the inside of the tube is still a normal air environment, and the atmosphere-responsive status indicator 803 turns blue.

[0062] S3: Inversion Trigger and Process Confirmation. Invert the sealed test tube 8 180 degrees and gently shake it. This operation ensures complete contact between the compound biological freshness-locking solution inside the tube and the colorimetric gas control tablet 802 inside the sealed cap. Upon contact, the liquid triggers an acid-base reaction with the solid, and tiny bubbles can be observed continuously forming from the tablet surface. As the reaction consumes acidic substances, the local pH value of the liquid increases, driving the bromothymol blue indicator to change from yellow (in acidic buffer) to blue. This color change is a direct and visual confirmation signal that the gas generation reaction has started as expected.

[0063] S4: Upright Positioning, Result Confirmation, and Refrigeration. The test tube 8, which has undergone a color change, is restored to its upright position. At this point, carbon dioxide gas has begun to accumulate inside the tube and displace the air. The test tube 8 is then placed in the placement slot 603 of the storage mechanism 6. Under a set low-temperature environment (e.g., 4°C), as the oxygen concentration inside the tube continuously decreases due to the continuous generation and replacement of carbon dioxide, after a predetermined time (e.g., 10-30 minutes), the atmosphere-responsive status indicator label 803 on the tube wall completely fades from blue to colorless. This second color change confirms that a low-oxygen microenvironment meeting the preservation requirements has been successfully established inside the tube. At this point, a complete sample processing procedure is finished, and the sample is placed under a multi-layered preservation state of low temperature, low oxygen, chemical protection, and physical enhancement for subsequent storage and transportation.

[0064] Comparative example: Preservation of potato samples using conventional methods This comparative example aims to describe a conventional method for preserving potato samples for comparative purposes.

[0065] This method uses potato samples of the same batch and specifications as those in Example 1. The containers used are conventional commercial polypropylene centrifuge tubes that do not contain the colorimetric gas control sheet 802, the atmosphere-responsive status indicator 803, or the porous ceramic enhancement ring 804.

[0066] The preservation liquid used is a single-component antioxidant solution, specifically an aqueous solution of ascorbic acid of appropriate concentration, which does not contain sustained-release microcapsules or calcium salts for physical reinforcement.

[0067] The specific steps are as follows: First, a standard-sized cylindrical potato sample was obtained using the same sampling mechanism as in Example 1.

[0068] Next, place the potato sample directly into the bottom of the aforementioned conventional centrifuge tube.

[0069] Next, add the same volume of the above-mentioned ascorbic acid aqueous solution as in Example 1 to the centrifuge tube.

[0070] Finally, the opening of the centrifuge tube is sealed with a standard sealing cap, and then the centrifuge tube is stored directly under the same refrigeration conditions (e.g., 4°C) as in Example 1.

[0071] Throughout the entire process of this method, no active adjustment of the atmosphere inside the tube is performed; the atmosphere inside the tube remains the same as the normal air contained when sealed. Similarly, no components are included in this method to indicate or confirm the microenvironmental state of the sample.

[0072] Test Example: Comparative Test and Analysis of Preservation Effect Test objective: This test case aims to evaluate and verify the technical advantages of the method of the present invention in terms of the preservation effect of potato samples compared with the conventional method of the comparative example through objective quantitative data.

[0073] Test Design: Sample preparation: Potato tubers from the same batch, of uniform size, and healthy without mechanical damage were collected. Using the same sampling mechanism as in Example 1, multiple sets of cylindrical sample blocks of identical size and shape were prepared from the same location on the tubers. These sample blocks were randomly and equally divided into the Example group and the Comparative group.

[0074] Processing and Storage: Samples from the Example Group were processed strictly according to the complete four-step method detailed in Example 1. Samples from the Comparative Example Group were processed strictly according to the conventional method detailed in Comparative Example 1. All processed sample tubes were immediately placed under the same refrigerated conditions (constant temperature 4°C) for storage for a uniform period of 72 hours.

[0075] Evaluation indicators and testing methods: After the storage period expires, all samples are immediately removed from the refrigerated environment and the following indicators are tested: Water loss rate: The mass of each sample before storage (initial weight) and after storage (final weight) is measured using a precision electronic balance. The water loss rate is determined by calculating the percentage of weight lost by the sample relative to its initial weight. A lower water loss rate indicates a stronger ability of the sample to retain moisture.

[0076] Tissue stiffness: A texture analyzer was used to perform a puncture test on the central flat surface of each sample. The maximum force required for the probe to penetrate the sample perpendicularly to a predetermined depth at a constant speed was recorded; this force value is the tissue stiffness of the sample. A higher stiffness value indicates that the tissue structure integrity of the sample is well maintained.

[0077] Browning Index: The cut surface of each sample was measured using a portable colorimeter, and the L value (brightness value) in the international standard Lab color space was read. To ensure the representativeness of the data, multiple different points were measured on each sample surface and the average value was calculated. The L value ranges from 0 (black) to 100 (white). A higher L value indicates a brighter sample surface, i.e., a lower degree of oxidative browning.

[0078] Results and Analysis: After 72 hours of storage, various indicators of the two groups of samples were tested, and the results after statistical processing are shown in Table 1: Table 1: Comparison of preservation effects of potato samples under different treatment methods

[0079] As can be seen from the data in Table 1, the example group using the method of the present invention and the comparative group using the conventional method showed significant differences in all evaluation indicators. First, the average water loss rate of the example group was much lower than that of the comparative group, indicating that the method of the present invention can effectively inhibit water evaporation of samples during storage. Second, the average tissue stiffness value of the example group was significantly higher than that of the comparative group, indicating that the present invention, through the synergistic effect of chemical and physical methods, better maintained the stability and mechanical strength of the sample cell structure. Finally, the average L* value of the sample cross-section of the example group was significantly higher than that of the comparative group, which directly proves that the hypoxic and chemically protected microenvironment constructed by the present invention has a far superior effect on inhibiting enzymatic browning reactions compared to conventional methods.

[0080] In summary, the test data clearly demonstrate that the portable potato sample fresh sample preservation method of the present invention exhibits significant technical advantages over existing conventional methods in three key aspects: maintaining sample moisture content, preserving tissue structure integrity, and inhibiting oxidative browning of the cut surface.

[0081] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A portable potato sample collection device, characterized in that, include: PU foam insulation box (1); The placement mechanism (4) is installed inside the PU foam insulation box (1), and the placement mechanism (4) is used to accommodate the sampling cylinder (10) and the push rod (11). The storage mechanism (6) is located inside the PU foam insulation box (1), and the storage mechanism (6) has a plurality of placement slots (603) for placing test tubes (8). The sampling mechanism is used to obtain potato samples through the sampling tube (10) and place the potato samples into the test tube (8) through the push rod (11); Test tube (8), the test tube (8) includes a test tube body (801), the test tube body (801) has a sealing cap for sealing the opening of the test tube body (801), a colorimetric gas control sheet (802) is provided on the inner side of the sealing cap, an atmosphere-responsive status indicator sticker (803) is provided on the inner wall of the test tube body (801), and a porous ceramic enhancement ring (804) is provided at the bottom of the test tube body (801).

2. The portable potato sample collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top square groove of the lid of the PU foam insulation box (1) is fitted with a handle mechanism (3). The two sides of the box body of the PU foam insulation box (1) are provided with handles (2). The bottom of the box body of the PU foam insulation box (1) is provided with a cooler (12). The middle of the inner side of the PU foam insulation box (1) is provided with a positioning post (9). The outside of the positioning post (9) is provided with a locking bead. The outside of the positioning post (9) is fitted with a storage mechanism (6). The four corners of the inner side of the PU foam insulation box (1) are provided with a fan-shaped placement cylinder mechanism (7).

3. The portable potato sample collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The placement mechanism (4) includes a sliding drawer (401), which is locked by a latch (5) on the outside of the PU foam insulation box (1). The top of the drawer (401) is provided with multiple placement slots (402), and each placement slot (402) is provided with a placement box (403). The sampling tube (10) and the push rod (11) are housed in the placement box (403), and the top of the placement box (403) is provided with a magnetic cover plate (404).

4. The portable potato sample collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage mechanism (6) includes a turntable (601), a cylindrical groove (604) is provided on the bottom center of the turntable (601), an annular groove (605) that cooperates with the retaining bead is provided on the inner side of the cylindrical groove (604), a plurality of placement slots (603) are provided at equal intervals on the top of the turntable (601), test tubes (8) are provided inside the placement slots (603), and an arc-shaped handle (602) is rotatably provided on the top of the turntable (601).

5. The portable potato sample collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sampling mechanism includes a handle mechanism (3), a sampling cylinder (10), and a push rod (11). The handle mechanism (3) includes a handle (301), which is locked in the square groove at the top of the lid of the PU foam insulation box (1). A connecting cylinder (302) is provided in the middle of the handle (301), and the connecting cylinder (302) is threadedly connected to the sampling cylinder (10). A push rod (11) is provided on the inner side of the sampling cylinder (10).

6. The portable potato sample collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fan-shaped placement cylinder mechanism (7) includes a fan-shaped cylinder (701), and each right-angled surface of the fan-shaped cylinder (701) is provided with Velcro a (702), and each Velcro a (702) is connected to Velcro b (13) at the four corners of the PU foam insulation box (1).

7. A portable method for preserving fresh potato samples, applied to the apparatus described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method includes: S1. Place the potato sample into the test tube body (801) so that the potato sample comes into contact with the porous ceramic enhancement ring (804) and the composite biological freshness-locking liquid pre-placed at the bottom of the test tube body (801); S2. Seal the opening of the test tube body (801) with a sealing cap having a colorimetric gas control plate (802); S3. Invert the sealed test tube body (801) to wet the color-developing gas control sheet (802) with the composite biological freshness-locking liquid, thereby triggering a gas generation reaction to adjust the internal atmosphere of the test tube body (801), and confirming the activation of the reaction by the color change of the color-developing gas control sheet (802). S4. Place the activated test tube body (801) in the storage mechanism (6) for refrigeration.

8. The portable method for preserving fresh potato samples according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step S1, the step of placing the potato sample into the test tube body (801) and bringing the potato sample into contact with the porous ceramic enhancing ring (804) pre-placed at the bottom of the test tube body (801) and the composite biological freshness-locking liquid includes: The free-form antioxidants contained in the composite biological freshness-locking liquid work together with the antioxidants encapsulated in the sustained-release microcapsules to provide immediate and continuous antioxidant protection for the potato sample. The calcium ions in the calcium salt contained in the composite biological freshness-locking liquid undergo a cross-linking reaction with the pectic acid in the cell wall of the potato sample, forming a physically reinforced structure on the sample cut surface.

9. The portable method for preserving fresh potato samples according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step S3, the sealed test tube body (801) is inverted to allow the composite biological freshness-locking liquid to wet the colorimetric gas control sheet (802), thereby triggering a gas generation reaction to regulate the internal atmosphere of the test tube body (801), and the activation of the reaction is confirmed by the color change of the colorimetric gas control sheet (802). Observe the color change of the colorimetric gas control sheet (802) to confirm the activation of the gas generation reaction, and observe the color change of the atmosphere-responsive status indicator sticker (803) on the inner wall of the test tube body (801) to confirm the formation of a low-oxygen environment inside the test tube body (801).

10. The portable method for preserving fresh potato samples according to claim 7, characterized in that, The porous ceramic synergist ring (804) serves as a slow-release carrier for the composite biological freshness-locking liquid, providing continuous liquid contact for the potato sample; and in the gas generation reaction, the surface of the porous ceramic synergist ring (804) serves as a nucleation site for gas bubbles, promoting the smooth release of gas.

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