Bacillus Spore Stabilization via Acetic Acid Fermentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preserving and stabilizing Bacillus spores in liquid form are prone to contamination and require synthetic biostatic agents, which are undesirable for environmental, agricultural, and food applications.
Innovation Solution
Suspension of Bacillus spores in a liquid consisting of water and acetic acid, which inhibits germination and growth by lowering the pH, and subsequent neutralization to enable the spores for application, using acetic acid from a fermentation source to maintain sporastatic conditions and prevent spoilage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Bacillus spores are suspended in liquid for industrial applications, then the spores can be easily applied to soil and plant material, but the spores are prone to contamination and require synthetic biostatic agents to prevent spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the Bacillus spores themselves to produce the stabilizing agent (acetic acid) through fermentation, eliminating the need for external synthetic biostatic agents. The spores ferment sugars in the liquid medium to produce acetic acid, which then stabilizes the spore suspension and prevents contamination by competing microorganisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Acetic acid serves as an intermediary substance that mediates between the Bacillus spores and the liquid environment. It is produced by the spores through fermentation and functions as a stabilizing agent that prevents spoilage without requiring synthetic chemicals. The acetic acid creates a acidic environment that inhibits growth of contaminating microorganisms.
2Reliability
If synthetic biostatic agents are used to prevent spoilage, then the spore suspension remains stable, but the agents are undesirable for environmental and agricultural applications
Solution Approach 1:
The Bacillus spores autonomously produce the stabilizing agent acetic acid through fermentation of sugars in the liquid medium. This self-service mechanism eliminates dependence on external synthetic biostatic agents, making the system environmentally friendly and suitable for agricultural applications where synthetic chemicals are restricted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harmful effect of sugar fermentation (which could lead to unwanted byproducts) into a beneficial stabilizing effect. The fermentation process produces acetic acid, which creates an acidic environment that prevents spoilage and stabilizes the spore suspension, turning a metabolic byproduct into a protective agent.
3Reliability
If the liquid pH is lowered to inhibit spore germination, then the spores remain stable and prevent spoilage, but the spores cannot germinate and grow for application
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pH environment based on the application needs. During storage and transport, the acidic environment (low pH) maintains spore stability and prevents spoilage. Upon application to the target site, the environment is neutralized, dynamically changing the pH condition to enable spore germination and growth, thus adapting the system state to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The spores are pre-treated in an acidic environment to ensure stability and prevent spoilage during storage and transport. This preliminary action of acidification prepares the spores for long-term storage while maintaining their viability. When application is needed, the neutralization step reverses this preliminary condition to enable germination.
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 method effectively maintains sporastatic conditions and prevents spoilage of Bacillus spore suspensions at ambient temperatures, suitable for industrial applications such as soil conditioning, antifungal treatment, and deodorization, without using synthetic chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
the acetic acid lowers the pH so that the spores are inhibited from germination and growth
Implementation Method 2
acetic acid from a fermentation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides methods for providing Bacillus spores for application to agricultural soil or plant material as well as zootechnic applications for odor control in areas of high ammonia generation. The methods comprise suspending the Bacillus spores in a liquid consisting of water and an organic acid, including acetic acid, wherein the acid lowers the pH so that the spores are inhibited from germination and growth; and so that growth of unwanted microorganisms in the suspension is prevented. Compositions formed according to the methods of the invention are also provided.