Bacillus velezensis AH2 formulation for stable biological control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biopreparations for biological control of phytopathogenic fungi face challenges in stability and effectiveness due to limitations in microbial viability and resistance mechanisms, particularly for strains like Pseudomonas, which struggle with long-term survival and resistance structure formation.

Innovation Solution

A new isolate of Bacillus velezensis strain AH2, with high antifungal activity and plant growth-stimulating capabilities, is used in a liquid formulation obtained through submerged fermentation, maintaining viability and activity for at least six months, and applied directly for biological control of phytopathogenic fungi like Botrytis, Pythium, and Fusarium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If biopreparations from microorganisms are used for biological control, then environmental friendliness and sustainability are improved, but stability and long-term effectiveness are worsened due to limitations in microbial viability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental harmVSAvoidstability and effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the biological control agent by transforming it from a liquid suspension to a solid powder formulation through lyophilization (freeze-drying). This parameter change enables long-term stability and shelf life while maintaining microbial viability, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a stable, long-lasting powder formulation that replaces the need for frequent reapplication of liquid biopreparations. The lyophilized powder can be stored for extended periods and applied as needed, effectively making the biological control agent more reliable and less susceptible to degradation over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If liquid formulations are used, then ease of application is improved, but stability and shelf life are worsened due to microbial death over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidshelf life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies lyophilization to transform the liquid formulation into a solid powder, fundamentally changing the physical state and stability parameters. This allows the product to maintain viability for at least six months during storage while remaining easy to apply through reconstitution with water, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of application and shelf life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary preservation of the microorganisms in a lyophilized state during storage, protecting them from degradation. Before application, the user simply adds water to reconstitute the active formulation, combining long-term stability with ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If chemical products are used, then effectiveness against pathogens is improved, but harmful effects on the ecosystem and human health are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveeffectivenessVSAvoidharmful effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the traditional harm-causing chemical pesticides into beneficial biological agents. By using lyophilized bacterial cultures that produce antimicrobial substances naturally, the patent achieves pathogen control while eliminating the harmful chemical residues and ecological damage associated with conventional pesticides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces chemical mechanisms of pathogen control with biological mechanisms. The lyophilized formulation contains live microorganisms that naturally produce antibiotics and compete with pathogens, substituting synthetic chemistry with biological processes that are environmentally benign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 Bacillus velezensis strain AH2 formulation effectively inhibits fungal growth and stimulates plant growth, demonstrating high efficacy in both greenhouse and field assays, with significant reductions in phytopathogenic fungal infestation and no toxicity observed, comparable to commercial chemical products.

Implementation Method 1

One of the most studied ecological niches has been the rhizosphere, due to the relationships established herein between plants and other organisms... Several mechanisms have been described to explain the phenomenon of biological control of these pathogens, such as parasitism, cross-protection, antibiosis, competition and induction of resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibiosis:

Implementation Method 2

The product has been formulated from a fermented broth, obtained by means of a stirred submerged culture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 3

it has a good capacity to stimulate plant growth by means of different mechanisms... These biopreparations play an important role in sustainable agriculture models due to the possibility of being produced from renewable resources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlant growth promotion:

Data Source

PatentEP2138044B1A pure culture of strain ah2 of the bacillus velezensis species and a product for the biological control of phytopathogenic fungi
Publication Date: 2014.07.30 PROBELTE SA
  • EP2138044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2138044B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a new fungicide product for the biological control of phytopathogenic fungi, which contains a new isolate of Bacillus velezensis strain AH2, deposited in the Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) as CECT-7221, which has a high antagonist activity against this type of pathogen, as well as the property of stimulating plant growth by different mechanisms. The invention also relates to a liquid formulation which has good stability at ambient temperature and is effective in the treatment of diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi and for the stimulation of plant growth.