Electrolyzed Water Seed Treatment for Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling plant pathogens on seeds and crops are inefficient, as hot water treatments are difficult to standardize, fungicides are costly and environmentally impactful, and synthetic fungicides cannot be used on organic crops, while low concentrations of bleach have limited efficacy and phytotoxicity concerns.
Innovation Solution
A formulation comprising hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite ion, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and alkyl polyglycoside is used as a surface sanitizer to kill or impede microbial growth on seeds and crops, which can be applied throughout the growth cycle and is safe for organic production, effectively reducing pathogen levels and improving germination rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hot water treatment is used to reduce seedborne pathogens, then pathogen elimination is improved, but seed damage risk increases and treatment standardization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the treatment solution by using electrolyzed water with controlled oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and pH levels. This allows effective pathogen elimination through oxidation without the thermal damage associated with hot water treatment, resolving the contradiction between pathogen elimination and seed damage control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal mechanism of hot water treatment with a chemical oxidation mechanism using electrolyzed water. This substitution eliminates the need for high temperatures that can damage seeds, while still achieving effective pathogen control through oxidative damage to microbial cells.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If synthetic fungicides are used to control plant pathogens, then pathogen control efficacy is improved, but environmental impact increases and organic certification is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrolyzed water, which contains strong oxidizing agents such as hypochlorous acid and hydroxyl radicals. These oxidants effectively kill pathogens through oxidation of cellular components, providing synthetic fungicide-level efficacy without the persistent environmental contamination associated with conventional chemical fungicides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs electrolyzed water that can be generated on-site and decomposes into water and oxygen after use. This disposable treatment approach eliminates the need for storage and application of persistent synthetic chemicals, reducing environmental impact while maintaining pathogen control efficacy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If low concentration bleach is used on organic crops, then organic certification is maintained, but pathogen control efficacy is limited and phytotoxicity concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration and composition parameters by producing electrolyzed water with controlled levels of hypochlorous acid (5-50 ppm) and high oxidation-reduction potential (600-1200 mV). This provides significantly enhanced pathogen control efficacy compared to conventional bleach while maintaining compatibility with organic certification standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite treatment solution containing multiple active components including hypochlorous acid, hydroxyl radicals, and oxygen, all generated through electrolysis. This composite approach provides synergistic pathogen control that exceeds the efficacy of single-component bleach solutions while remaining organic-compliant.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional seed treatment methods are used, then pathogen control is achieved, but treatment standardization and consistency across different crops are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces variable chemical formulations with a standardized electrolysis process that can be controlled through electrical parameters (voltage, current, time). This electrical control mechanism provides consistent, repeatable treatment across different crop types and scales, significantly improving standardization compared to conventional chemical treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an on-site electrolyzed water generation system that produces the treatment solution immediately before use. This eliminates the need for storage, handling, and mixing of pre-prepared chemical solutions, ensuring consistent quality and reducing variability in treatment application across different operations and locations.
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 formulation significantly reduces microbial growth on seeds and crops, controlling pathogens and improving seed germination rates, while being environmentally friendly and safe for organic use, with ozone providing more cleaning power than bleach and broader efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
A formulation comprising hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite ion, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and alkyl polyglycoside is used as a surface sanitizer to kill or impede microbial growth
Implementation Method 2
ozone providing more cleaning power than bleach and broader efficacy
Implementation Method 3
A formulation comprising hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite ion, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and alkyl polyglycoside
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-microbial formulation for seed and crop application is a formulation including only between about 1 ppm and about 500 ppm hypochlorous acid, a sufficient amount of alkyl polyglycoside such that the formulation has a pH between about 2 and about 12; and a remainder water. A method of manipulating the pH of the formulation and a method of treating seeds and crops with the formulation to restrict or eliminate microbial growth and proliferation is also described herein.