Aqueous Lime Suspension with Polysaccharides for Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for plant and animal tissues against biotic pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, face challenges with short-term adhesion and rapid pH value reduction of lime or sulfur suspensions, leading to frequent reapplication and reduced effectiveness against pH-dependent infections.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous suspension comprising lime or lime-like compounds combined with polysaccharides like cellulose derivatives and starch, maintaining a pH of at least 10, which enhances adhesion and prolongs the alkaline environment, thereby increasing the duration of action against biotic pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lime or sulfur suspensions are used for treatment, then biocidal effect is achieved, but adhesion to plant or animal surface is insufficient and pH drops rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines lime or sulfur suspensions with polysaccharide-based adhesion promoters to create a composite treatment composition. The polysaccharides (such as cellulose derivatives, starch, or chitosan) form a film on the plant or animal surface that binds the biocidal agents, preventing rapid wash-off and maintaining alkaline pH for extended periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving biocidal effect and maintaining duration of action.
2Productivity
If conventional treatment methods are used, then initial biocidal effect is achieved, but frequent reapplication is necessary due to rapid pH reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polysaccharide-based adhesion promoters that create a persistent film on the treated surface, ensuring continuous release of biocidal agents and maintenance of alkaline pH over extended periods. This continuous action eliminates the need for frequent reapplication, thereby maintaining treatment efficiency while reducing time loss from repeated treatments.
3Reliability
If high concentrations of biocides are used, then effectiveness against pathogens is improved, but persistence in harvested products and food increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polysaccharide-based adhesion promoters as intermediaries that bind biocidal agents to the surface of plant or animal tissues. This mediation allows the use of lower concentrations of biocides while maintaining effectiveness, as the adhesion promoter ensures prolonged contact and action. The polysaccharides themselves are generally recognized as safe and do not contribute to harmful persistence in the food chain, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety.
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 solution stabilizes the alkaline pH and improves adhesion, allowing for extended treatment intervals and increased resistance to biotic pathogens, reducing the need for frequent applications and enhancing calcium absorption for plant cell wall stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining a pH of at least 10, which enhances adhesion and prolongs the alkaline environment
Implementation Method 2
enhances adhesion and prolongs the alkaline environment, allowing for extended treatment intervals
Implementation Method 3
a pH value in the alkaline range is particularly advantageous for the defense against biotic pests, as it provides a direct phytosanitary or biocidal effect
Implementation Method 4
treatment with lime indirectly strengthens the dissolved calcium absorbed by the plant, the middle lamellae of the cell walls in the form of the calcium pectinate that forms, and, due to its decongestant effect, it also has a membrane-stabilizing effect
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to aqueous suspensions for treating plant or animal tissues against biotic pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses. The composition consists of lime or a lime-like compound, a polysaccharide selected from cellulose or a cellulose-derived compound, or starch or a starch-derived compound, or a mixture thereof, and water as a solvent, wherein the pH of the composition is at least 10 or higher. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for increasing the resistance of plants, in particular cultivated or ornamental plants, to biotic pathogens.