Liquid Nitrogen-Fixing Microbe Formulation for Shelf-Life Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural formulations for nitrogen-fixing microorganisms face challenges with microbial stability, shelf life, and ease of use, particularly in liquid form, which complicates storage and delivery.
Innovation Solution
Agronomically stable liquid agricultural compositions comprising diazotrophic bacteria, buffering agents, microbial stabilizers, and physical stabilizers, maintaining stability at room temperature for at least 30 days with minimal decay and pH control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid formulations of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms are used, then ease of application and control over formulation process is improved, but shelf life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies physical and chemical parameters of the liquid formulation by adjusting pH to neutral levels (7.0-7.5), controlling water activity (aw), and optimizing temperature conditions. These parameter changes create favorable conditions for microbial stability while maintaining liquid formulation benefits for ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances including buffering agents (phosphate buffers, carbonate buffers), stabilizing agents (trehalose, sucrose, glycerol), and chelating agents (EDTA, DTPA) that mediate between the microbial culture and storage environment. These intermediaries protect the microorganisms from degradation while maintaining the liquid formulation's ease of application.
2Stability of the object's composition
If dry powder formulations are used, then stability and ease of storage is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required mixing and activation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary formulation actions by pre-adjusting pH, adding stabilizing agents, and optimizing composition during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures the liquid formulation is ready for direct application without requiring user mixing or activation steps, thereby maintaining stability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a liquid formulation that copies the stability characteristics of dry powder formulations while maintaining the ease of application benefits of liquid form. The liquid formulation is designed to exhibit similar shelf stability to dry powders without requiring the same complex user handling procedures.
3Ease of operation
If liquid formulations are used, then ease of use is improved, but microbial stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary protective substances including buffering agents to maintain optimal pH, stabilizing agents (trehalose, sucrose, glycerol) to protect cell membranes, and chelating agents to sequester metals that could catalyze degradation. These intermediaries safeguard microbial stability while preserving the ease of use characteristics of liquid formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls critical parameters including pH (7.0-7.5), water activity (aw), temperature, and composition to create optimal conditions for microbial stability. By maintaining these parameters within specific ranges, the formulation achieves both ease of use and microbial stability.
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 compositions provide improved microbial stability, extending shelf life to at least three months with reduced decay and toxic byproduct accumulation, enhancing crop yield and reducing infield variability.
Implementation Method 1
a buffering agent; wherein the composition has a room temperature shelf life of at least 30 days
Implementation Method 2
a microbial stabilizer; and a physical stabilizer, wherein the composition has a room temperature shelf life of at least 30 days
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides agronomically stable liquid agricultural compositions, methods of formulation thereof, and methods of application thereof. The agricultural compositions comprise nitrogen-fixing microorganisms and one or more of a buffering agent, a microbial stabilizer, and a physical stabilizer. The disclosed liquid agricultural compositions have a longer shelf life and greater ease of application than other existing dry and liquid formulations. The disclosed liquid agricultural compositions are stable for a period of thirty days or longer with low toxin accumulation and high microbial stability. The compositions are suitable for use on agricultural plant tissues or the environs thereof for providing a source of fixed atmospheric nitrogen to the agricultural plant. The compositions are used to increase crop yield and decrease yield variance.