Cryo-sprouts Growth via Pathogen-Antagonistic Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for growing sprouts and microgreens are prone to contamination by microbial pathogens like E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can compromise food safety and quality, due to inadequate seed disinfection and handling practices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the growth of cryo-sprouts at a pathogen antagonistic temperature between 35° F. and 45° F., using a container with a membrane and hydrated seeds, where the seeds are primed in the dark and hydrated with compositions like lactic acid fermentates or cranberry juice, reducing pathogenic bacteria and extending shelf-life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If seeds are rinsed and sanitized to reduce pathogens, then pathogen contamination is reduced, but the reliability of pathogen elimination is insufficient and pathogens can still multiply during growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from ambient (70°F) to refrigeration temperatures (35-45°F), creating a pathogen antagonistic environment that reliably prevents pathogen multiplication while allowing sprout growth. This temperature parameter change transforms the growth environment from pathogen-friendly to pathogen-hostile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of low temperatures (which would normally slow or stop growth) into a beneficial pathogen inhibition mechanism. By growing at refrigeration temperatures, the system uses the cold environment to simultaneously achieve both growth and pathogen elimination, turning a potential growth hindrance into a food safety advantage.
2Productivity
If seeds are grown at ambient temperature for rapid growth, then growth speed is improved, but pathogenic bacteria multiply rapidly compromising food safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from ambient (70°F) to refrigeration temperatures (35-45°F), creating a pathogen antagonistic environment that reliably prevents pathogen multiplication while allowing sprout growth. This temperature parameter change transforms the growth environment from pathogen-friendly to pathogen-hostile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous pathogen inhibition throughout the entire growth period by sustaining refrigeration temperatures from germination through harvest and storage. This continuous cold environment ensures that pathogen multiplication is prevented at every stage, eliminating the need for intermittent sanitization treatments.
3Ease of operation
If seeds are grown in containers with irrigation holes for easy watering, then ease of operation is improved, but sanitary conditions are compromised and pathogens can multiply easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical irrigation system with holes in the container bottom with a membrane barrier system. The membrane allows water vapor to pass through for transpiration while blocking pathogen ingress, substituting a physical filtration mechanism for open irrigation holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible membrane material to create a barrier between the irrigation water and the seeds. This thin film allows essential water vapor exchange for plant hydration while physically blocking pathogenic bacteria, effectively combining ease of watering with pathogen prevention.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If seeds are disinfected and tested for pathogens before growth, then initial pathogen levels are reduced, but pathogenic organisms can still be introduced during the manufacturing and growth process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of low temperatures (which would normally slow or stop growth) into a beneficial pathogen inhibition mechanism. By growing at refrigeration temperatures, the system uses the cold environment to simultaneously achieve both growth and pathogen elimination, turning a potential growth hindrance into a food safety advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous pathogen inhibition throughout the entire growth period by sustaining refrigeration temperatures from germination through harvest and storage. This continuous cold environment ensures that pathogen multiplication is prevented at every stage, eliminating the need for intermittent sanitization treatments.
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
This method effectively reduces the growth of undesirable pathogens and extends the shelf-life of cryo-sprouts to at least 21 days by creating a microbicidal or microbiostatic environment, ensuring safer and higher-quality products.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane is supported in the container by internal supports and the hydrated seeds are dispersed on the membrane prior to incubation
Implementation Method 2
incubating a container including water, a membrane, and hydrated seeds at a pathogen antagonistic temperature for a growth period sufficient for growth of cryo-sprouts. The pathogen antagonistic temperature may be between about 35° F. and about 45° F.
Implementation Method 3
a composition comprising a fermentate from a lactic acid fermenting bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
Cryo-sprouts are germinated, grown and shipped in the same covered container with reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms. Seeds are placed on a membrane in the container with sufficient water. The container with the seeds is incubated at a pathogen antagonistic temperature during the growth phase. The pathogen antagonistic temperature is preferably between about 35° F. and about 45° F. The cryo-sprouts grown according to these methods have reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms, are greener and have an extended shelf-life.