Seed Sanitizing and Drying to Control Pathogens Without Heat Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling pathogens and preventing diseases on seeds are inefficient and can alter the viability and germination rate of seeds when exposed to high temperatures, leading to changes in sensory attributes and nutritional values.
Innovation Solution
A two-step process involving contacting seeds with a sanitizing composition containing an agriculturally acceptable sanitizing agent, water, and optionally alcohol, followed by heating/drying at high temperatures (≥71.1°C) to reduce moisture content while maintaining seed viability and preventing core temperature from exceeding 70°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seeds are exposed to high temperatures to control pathogens, then pathogen control efficacy is improved, but seed viability and germination rate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a sanitizing composition treatment before heat treatment to pre-control pathogens on seed surfaces. This preliminary action reduces the pathogen load before the seeds undergo heating, thereby achieving effective pathogen control while limiting the duration and intensity of heat exposure that could harm seed viability and germination rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls the heating parameters (temperature range of 40-48.9°C, limited time exposure) to achieve pathogen control while preserving seed quality. By optimizing these parameters, the treatment achieves effective sanitation without causing thermal damage that would reduce germination rate or alter sensory attributes.
2Productivity
If seeds are dried at high temperatures to reduce moisture content, then moisture reduction efficiency is improved, but seed properties and nutritional values deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies controlled drying parameters (temperature range of 40-48.9°C, monitored time duration) to efficiently reduce moisture content while preventing thermal degradation of seed composition. These optimized parameters enable rapid moisture removal without cooking the seeds or altering their nutritional values and sensory attributes.
3Reliability
If sanitizing composition contact time is extended to improve pathogen control, then pathogen reduction is improved, but seed moisture content increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitizing composition treatment is performed as a preliminary step with controlled contact time, followed immediately by a drying step. This sequence allows sufficient time for pathogen control while the subsequent drying step removes the excess moisture absorbed during sanitization, achieving both effective sanitation and proper moisture content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous two-step process where sanitization and drying are sequentially connected without significant interruption. The drying step immediately follows sanitization to continuously remove moisture as it is absorbed, maintaining effective pathogen control while preventing excessive moisture accumulation that would compromise seed storage quality.
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 method effectively controls pathogens and prevents diseases without significantly altering seed properties, maintaining viability and germination rate, and achieving greater efficacy than individual interventions.
Implementation Method 1
contacting said seeds with a composition comprising the at least one oxidizer, water and optionally a wetting agent and/or at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent
Implementation Method 2
heating/drying said seeds obtained from said first step, at a temperature varying from 71.7° C. to 110° C. for a period of time varying from 9 to 16 minutes, to further control the amount of pathogens while reducing, preferably by evaporation, the moisture content of the seeds
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, said method comprising the steps of contacting the seeds with a sanitizing composition comprising at least one agriculturally acceptable sanitizing agent, water; and optionally at least one agriculturally acceptable alcohol; heating/drying the seeds at a temperature varying from 160° F. to 230° F. for a period of time varying from 9 to 16 minutes for a period of time that prevents the core of the seeds heated to reach 70° C.; and optionally a complementary drying of the seeds at a temperature <70° C.