Seed Coating with Phytase Enzyme for Germination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The inefficient germination of seeds rich in phytic acid, such as cereals and legumes, due to insufficient endogenous phytase activity, which limits phosphorous availability and requires excessive fertilizers, leading to environmental contamination.

Innovation Solution

A seed coating with phytase enzyme activity is applied to hydrolyze phytic phosphorous, making it more accessible to the seed, thereby improving germination rates and reducing fertilizer usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If endogenous phytase activity is relied upon to release phosphorous from phytic acid, then phosphorous becomes available for plant growth, but the germination efficiency remains insufficient due to inadequate enzyme activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegermination efficiencyVSAvoidphosphorous release rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies exogenous phytase enzyme to the seed surface before germination, performing the phosphorous release action in advance. This preliminary enzymatic treatment breaks down phytic acid and releases phosphorous before the seed needs it for rapid growth, ensuring both high germination efficiency and adequate phosphorous availability without relying solely on insufficient endogenous enzyme activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an external phytase enzyme as an intermediary agent to mediate between the stored phytic acid and the plant's phosphorous needs. This exogenous enzyme acts as a catalyst that bridges the gap between the seed's storage form of phosphorous and its可利用 form, resolving the contradiction between reliable germination and sufficient phosphorous release rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If inorganic phosphorous fertilizers are applied to supplement plant phosphorous needs, then phosphorous availability increases, but environmental contamination and eutrophication occur due to accumulation in the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephosphorous availabilityVSAvoidenvironmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the seed to release its own stored phosphorous from phytic acid through enzymatic hydrolysis, making the phosphorous self-available without external supplementation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional inorganic phosphorous fertilizers, thereby increasing phosphorous availability to the plant while avoiding environmental contamination from fertilizer accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical form of phosphorous from bound phytic acid to free phosphorous through enzymatic hydrolysis. This parameter change in phosphorous availability occurs internally within the seed system, providing sufficient phosphorous for growth without requiring external fertilizer applications that would lead to environmental contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If phytic acid is stored in seeds as the principal form of phosphorous storage, then phosphorous reserves are accumulated for seed development, but phosphorous is not efficiently assimilated due to insufficient endogenous phytase activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephosphorous storageVSAvoidphosphorous assimilation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies exogenous phytase to the seed surface before germination, performing preliminary hydrolysis of phytic acid. This advance action converts a portion of the stored phytic acid into free phosphorous before the seed begins germination, ensuring that both the storage function of phytic acid and the assimilation efficiency are satisfied simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces exogenous phytase as an intermediary enzyme that facilitates the conversion of stored phytic acid to assimilable phosphorous. This external enzyme mediator overcomes the limitation of insufficient endogenous phytase activity, allowing efficient phosphorous assimilation while preserving the seed's phosphorous storage capacity in the form of phytic acid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 treatment significantly enhances germination percentage and speed, and increases phosphorous availability for plants, minimizing fertilizer application and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The presence of this enzyme in a coating helps the hydrolyzation of the phytic phosphorous, making it more accessible to the seed and thus improving the germination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3162210B1Treatment to improve the germination of seeds and seeds treated in this way

Publication Date: 2022.04.13 FERTINAGRO BIOTECH SL

AI summary

The invention relates to a treatment to improve the germination of seeds as well as to the seeds which incorporate said treatment, wherein the treatment consists of applying a coating based on an aqueous solution of an enzyme with phytase activity on the surface of the seeds and subsequent drying of the coating in order to obtain a dry seed. The presence of this enzyme in a coating helps the hydrolyzation of the phytic phosphorous, making it more accessible for the seed and thus improving the germination thereof.