Agglomerated Nutrient Medium Fluidized Bed Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nutrient media formulations, whether in liquid or powdered form, face challenges such as the need for supplements, difficulty in sterilization, and issues with solubility and handling, particularly in producing stable and easily reconstituted dry powder forms that can support the growth of microorganisms effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of a method to create a dried, agglomerated nutrient medium using a fluidized bed-type agglomeration process, where powdered nutrients are agglomerated with an aerosol spray of an agglomeration liquid to produce particles with specific size and density properties that facilitate rapid dissolution and sterility, such as a population of agglomerated particles with effective diameters of 250-400 microns and a loose bulk density of 0.2-0.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If powdered nutrient media are used to improve shelf life and reduce sterilization requirements, then storage stability is improved, but dissolution speed and reconstitution ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The powdered nutrient media is segmented into agglomerated particles with specific size ranges (250-400 microns) and controlled morphology. This segmentation creates particles that maintain stability during storage but dissolve rapidly when reconstituted, resolving the contradiction between shelf life and dissolution speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the nutrient media are changed by controlling particle size, density (0.2-0.5 g/cm³), and morphology during the agglomeration process. These parameter changes enable the media to exhibit both long-term stability and rapid dissolution characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If liquid culture medium is used to provide ready-to-use formulations, then ease of operation is improved, but sterilization requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nutrient media is prepared in advance as a stable powdered formulation that requires no sterilization, eliminating the need for autoclaving or filtration. The media can be stored indefinitely and simply dissolved in water before use, providing ready-to-use convenience without sterilization costs.
3Productivity
If concentrated liquid media are used to enable larger batch sizes, then productivity is improved, but sterilization difficulty and supplement requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a stable powdered formulation that eliminates the need for expensive and complex sterilization processes. The media can be produced in large batches, stored indefinitely, and simply reconstituted when needed, providing both high productivity and ease of manufacture.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If powdered media are used to achieve longer shelf life, then storage stability is improved, but handling difficulty and material loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The powdered media is agglomerated into particles of controlled size (250-400 microns) that reduce dust formation and improve handling. The segmented particle structure maintains shelf life while minimizing material loss during transfer and reconstitution operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The density parameter of the powdered media is optimized to 0.2-0.5 g/cm³, creating particles that are easy to handle and transfer with minimal loss. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between maintaining long shelf life and reducing material loss during handling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting agglomerated nutrient medium allows for rapid and complete dissolution in aqueous solvents, improved handling characteristics, and enhanced sterility, addressing the limitations of existing media forms by providing a stable and efficient means to cultivate microorganisms.
Implementation Method 1
contacting in the agglomeration chamber the powdered nutrient with an aerosol spray of an agglomeration liquid
Implementation Method 2
flowing a fluidizing gas through the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method of making a flowable, agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises forming a nutrient medium composition by placing a powdered nutrient into a fluidized bed-type agglomeration chamber, flowing a fluidizing gas through the chamber, and contacting in the agglomeration chamber the powdered nutrient with an aerosol spray of an agglomeration liquid; and collecting the composition from the chamber. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. The composition formed by the method comprises a population of agglomerated nutrient medium particles and, optionally, nonagglomerated powdered nutrient. The population comprises at least about 30 weight percent agglomerated nutrient particles having an effective particle diameter of about 250-400 microns. Compositions, thin film culture devices, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.