Live Chlorella Culture Hyperoxygenation for Dark Cold Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for growing and storing live microalgae, particularly Chlorella vulgaris, are limited by their inability to survive dark, refrigerated storage, which hampers widespread commercial application as biostimulants due to rapid cell count decline and contamination issues.

Innovation Solution

Inducing heterotrophic metabolic activity in microalgae by hyperoxygenating the growth medium in photobioreactors using nanobubble generators, allowing the algae to consume organic material and maintain viability during dark storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If live microalgae are grown and stored in conventional methods, then they can be produced for biostimulant application, but they rapidly decline in cell count and become contaminated during dark refrigerated storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurvival of live microalgae during storageVSAvoidstorage duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the metabolic parameters of microalgae by inducing heterotrophic metabolism through hyperoxygenation of the growth medium. This allows the algae to switch from autotrophic (light-dependent) to heterotrophic (organic matter-dependent) metabolism, enabling them to survive and maintain cell count during dark refrigerated storage without rapid decline or contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous growth and metabolism of microalgae during storage by providing organic matter and oxygen. The algae continuously consume organic matter and produce oxygen through heterotrophic respiration, maintaining viable cell count throughout the storage period rather than allowing rapid decline

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If chemical fertilizers are used to promote plant growth, then nitrogen and other nutrients are added to soil, but this leads to declining soil fertility, increasing greenhouse gases, and contamination of groundwater

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant growth promotionVSAvoidgreenhouse gases and groundwater contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses live microalgae as biostimulants that naturally promote plant growth through physiological activities without requiring synthetic chemical fertilizers. The microalgae produce plant growth hormones and improve soil health through their metabolic processes, enabling plants to grow without the harmful side effects of chemical fertilizer production and application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces live microalgae as an intermediary substance between agricultural inputs and plant growth. Instead of directly applying chemical nitrogen fertilizers, the microalgae serve as a natural mediator that promotes plant growth through biological mechanisms, thereby eliminating the harmful environmental effects associated with synthetic fertilizers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If composted organic material such as manure is applied to soil to provide nitrogen and feed microbes, then soil fertility is improved, but the bulk and difficulty of application at scale makes it inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil fertility improvementVSAvoidapplication convenience and scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical form of organic matter from bulk composted material to concentrated liquid microalgal culture. This parameter change from solid/bulk form to liquid concentrate form maintains the beneficial microbial and nutrient content while dramatically improving application convenience and scalability through standardized liquid delivery systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables microalgae to survive and grow in dark, refrigerated conditions for up to 18 months, maintaining cell count and preventing contamination, facilitating large-scale commercial distribution and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.

Implementation Method 1

Inducing heterotrophic metabolic activity in microalgae by hyperoxygenating the growth medium in photobioreactors using nanobubble generators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHyperoxygenation:

Implementation Method 2

hyperoxygenating the growth medium in photobioreactors using nanobubble generators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNanobubble generation:

Implementation Method 3

The microalgae grown using the improved method are able to survive dark refrigerated storage and shipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Data Source

PatentUS20260022315A1Novel method of producing an algae composition

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 ENLIGHTENED SOIL CORP

AI summary

A system and method for growing microalgae capable of mixotrophic metabolism, preferably Chlorella sp. Microalgae grown in the system using the method are able to survive and grow in dark refrigeration, which allows the algae to be stored and transported for application as a live culture. In addition, the microalgae can be grown in sufficient quantities to be sold commercially for application to crops as a biostimulant.