Corn Steep Liquor Conditioning for Stable Biostimulant Fertilizer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Corn steep liquor (CSL) suffers from industrial handling problems such as gel formation, precipitate separation, and fungal contamination, making it unsuitable for use as a fertilizer due to its high load of suspended solids and susceptibility to microbiological contamination.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the addition of a preservative and thickener to CSL, followed by homogenization, to create a biostimulant CSL that prevents phase separation and rapid precipitation, maintaining bioactive substances and increasing shelf life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If corn steep liquor is concentrated to high solids content, then fertilizer value increases, but phase separation and gel formation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolids contentVSAvoidphase separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a surfactant as an intermediary substance that mediates between the solid particles and liquid phase in corn steep liquor. The surfactant adsorbs at the interface between solids and liquid, reducing surface tension and preventing aggregation of solid particles, thereby maintaining homogeneous dispersion even at high solids content without phase separation or gel formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical-chemical parameters of corn steep liquor by adjusting pH and adding specific ions (such as calcium or magnesium ions) that alter the surface charge and electrostatic repulsion between solid particles. This parameter change prevents particle aggregation and maintains stability at high concentrations, resolving the contradiction between quantity and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If corn steep liquor is stored for extended periods, then fertilizer application flexibility increases, but fungal contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf lifeVSAvoidfungal contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of microorganisms by adding preservatives that selectively inhibit fungal growth while maintaining or even enhancing the nutritional value of the fertilizer. The preservatives create an environment where harmful fungi cannot survive, but the beneficial nutrients remain available, thus extending shelf life without compromising fertilizer quality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces preservative agents as intermediary substances that protect the corn steep liquor from fungal contamination during storage. These preservatives act as a barrier between the nutrient-rich environment and fungal spores, preventing microbial growth while allowing the fertilizer to be stored for extended periods with maintained efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If suspended solids are present in high load, then nutrient content increases, but handling problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenutrient contentVSAvoidindustrial handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses surfactants and dispersing agents as intermediaries that facilitate the handling of high-solids corn steep liquor. These substances reduce the tendency of solid particles to aggregate and settle, maintaining a stable suspension that can be pumped, mixed, and applied using standard agricultural equipment without clogging or separation issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies rheological parameters of the corn steep liquor by adding polymers or modifying viscosity through pH adjustment and ion addition. These parameter changes transform the material from a thick, hard-to-handle slurry into a fluid with optimal flow characteristics for industrial processing and agricultural application, while retaining high nutrient content.

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 biostimulant CSL maintains bioactive substances, enhances leaf area, water use efficiency, and nutrient levels in plants, improving fertilizer performance and extending shelf life by up to two years.

Implementation Method 1

adding a preservative to a corn steep liquor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPreservative: Preservative

Implementation Method 2

a thickening agent, previously diluted in an alcohol to ensure a good dispersion of same, is added

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThickening:

Implementation Method 3

subsequent homogenization to resuspend all solids and mix the preservative appropriately. Then a thickening agent... is added, and everything is homogenized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHomogenization:

Data Source

PatentUS20260008730A1Conditioning of corn steep liquor to produce high added value organic matter for biostimulant use in plants
Publication Date: 2026.01.08 ATLANTICA AGRICOLA SA

AI summary

A method includes the addition of a broad-spectrum preservative agent to a corn steep liquor, subsequent homogenization to resuspend all solids and mix the preservative appropriately. Then a thickening agent, previously diluted in an alcohol to ensure a good dispersion of same, is added, and everything is homogenized to give rise to a biostimulant corn steep liquor for use as high added value organic matter (biostimulant CSL) with a fertilizing effect.