Seed Sterilization via Plasma Hydrophilization and H2O2 Soak
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization methods for crops contaminated with mould spores during harvest or storage are either ineffective or environmentally hazardous, as they often require high energy, aggressive chemicals, or have limited penetration depth, making it difficult to inactivate spores inside seeds without affecting germination.
Innovation Solution
A two-step method involving brief treatment with gaseous plasma to hydrophilize the seed surface, followed by a short soak in a water-containing hydrogen peroxide solution, allowing hydrogen peroxide to penetrate and inactivate spores within the seed structure without significant chemical interaction or germination disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autoclaving is used to sterilize crops, then microorganisms are deactivated efficiently, but energy consumption is high and seeds cannot germinate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the treatment medium from liquid or dense gas to plasma state, operating at atmospheric pressure with specific gas compositions (oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide) to achieve sterilization at lower energy consumption while preserving seed germination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydrogen peroxide in plasma state as a strong oxidant to inactivate microorganisms through oxidative damage to cellular structures, achieving effective sterilization without the high energy input required by thermal methods and without toxic residues that would prevent germination
2Reliability
If chemical methods are used to sterilize crops, then microorganisms are inactivated at room temperature, but chemicals are poisonous and ecologically harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydrogen peroxide plasma as a strong oxidizing agent that inactivates microorganisms through oxidative mechanisms, achieving effective sterilization while decomposing into water and oxygen, thus eliminating ecological harm and toxicity issues associated with conventional chemical sterilants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydrogen peroxide which decomposes completely into water and oxygen after use, creating no persistent toxic residues in the environment, unlike conventional chemicals that require disposal and pose ecological risks
3Reliability
If gaseous plasma is used to sterilize surface germs, then surface microorganisms are inactivated efficiently, but penetration depth is limited and internal spores remain unaffected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite plasma treatment system combining multiple gases (oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide) to generate a multifunctional plasma that produces both reactive oxygen species for surface sterilization and sufficient penetration capability to reach internal spores, overcoming the limitation of single-component plasma
4Reliability
If electromagnetic radiation is used to sterilize materials, then heat-sensitive materials are sterilized effectively, but penetration depth is limited and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic radiation with plasma chemistry mechanisms, using reactive species generation through gas discharge to achieve sterilization through chemical oxidation rather than electromagnetic interaction, thereby improving penetration depth while reducing energy consumption
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 inactivates mould spores inside seeds using minimal hydrogen peroxide, ensuring seed germination is not affected and reducing environmental impact by minimizing chemical usage and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
briefly treating of the seeds with gaseous plasma containing reactive particles which cause hydrophilization of the seeds' surface
Implementation Method 2
soaking of said seeds in water-containing hydrogen peroxide... allowing hydrogen peroxide to penetrate and inactivate spores within the seed structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods for sterilization of seeds at ambient temperature. The seeds are first evacuated to the vacuum level about the water-saturated vapour pressure and then treated by gaseous plasma at the pressure close the water-saturated vapour pressure in an atmosphere containing water vapour. Further on, the seeds are briefly soaked in the water solution of hydrogen peroxide, removed from the water solution of hydrogen peroxide and put to rest at the pressure equal or higher than water saturation vapour pressure. The treatment by gaseous plasma causes modification of seeds' wettability, so the seeds treated by gaseous plasma are capable of absorbing a small amount of water solution of hydrogen peroxide within the pores of the pericarp. The absorption of the water solution of hydrogen peroxide is preferably accomplished at the pressure close to the water-saturated vapour pressure. The soaking time is preferably 1-3 s to prevent significant degradation of seeds and keep the consumption of the water solution of hydrogen peroxide low.