Cold Plasma Activation of Botanical Extracts for Plant Biostimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biostimulants derived from various raw materials lack the optimal combination of biologically active compounds and environmental safety, particularly in terms of cost, availability, and effectiveness for promoting plant growth and stress resistance.
Innovation Solution
A botanical extract from the above-ground parts of horsetail (Equisetum arvense), rose hips (Rosa canina), and soapwort roots (Saponaria officinalis) is activated by cold plasma to create a biostimulator with a balanced composition of macro- and microelements, polyphenols, amino acids, and phytohormones, ensuring effective foliar application and stress resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional biostimulants are produced from various raw materials, then plant growth promotion is achieved, but environmental safety and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies cold plasma treatment to change the physical and chemical parameters of the botanical extract, activating biologically active compounds and creating new compounds with enhanced plant growth-promoting effects while maintaining environmental safety through natural decomposition of plasma-generated substances
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite biostimulant system combining multiple botanical extracts (Arctium lappa, Equisetum arvense, Rosa canina, Saponaria officinalis) with cold plasma-activated components, achieving synergistic effects that enhance plant growth promotion while maintaining environmental compatibility
2Reliability
If complex botanical extracts are used as biostimulants, then biologically active compounds are provided, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the biostimulant production into separate stages: extraction of individual botanical components followed by cold plasma activation, allowing each component to be processed independently and simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining compound efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary extraction of botanical components before cold plasma activation, preparing the material in advance to receive plasma treatment and maximize the activation of biologically active compounds while streamlining manufacturing operations
3Productivity
If cold plasma activation is applied to botanical extracts, then biostimulant effectiveness is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies cold plasma in periodic pulses to the botanical extract, providing activation treatment in intervals that achieve effective biostimulant enhancement while allowing energy recovery periods and reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous plasma treatment
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 biostimulator enhances plant growth and development, providing improved root and shoot development, stress resistance, and environmental safety, while being cost-effective and suitable for organic farming.
Implementation Method 1
A botanical extract from the above-ground parts of horsetail (Equisetum arvense), rose hips (Rosa canina), and soapwort roots (Saponaria officinalis) is activated by cold plasma to create a biostimulator
Implementation Method 2
The biostimulator was activated by cold plasma for 30 to 90 s through an electric discharge generated between a pair of electrodes
Implementation Method 3
The biostimulator was activated by cold plasma for 30 to 90 s through an electric discharge generated between a pair of electrodes with a minimum distance of 1.5 mm between the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
The subject of the invention is a biostimulator of plant origin, obtained using an extractant in the form of water, characterized by the fact that it consists of botanical extracts activated with cold plasma for 30 to 90 s by an electric discharge generated between a pair of electrodes with a minimum distance of 1.5 mm between the electrodes. The plant extract is placed under the plasma head at a distance of 6 to 12 cm and the working gas flow is maintained at 20 to 40 SCFH. Botanical extracts were obtained from the aerial parts of horsetail (Equisetum arvense), rosehips (Rosa canina) and soapwort roots (Saponaria officinali) obtained as an infusion using from 45.0 to 50.0 g of horsetail, from 1.5 to 3.5 g of rose hips and from 0.1 to 0.5 g of soapwort roots per 1000 ml of water.