Sodium Dithionite Nanoparticles for Plant Defense Induction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for inducing plant defense responses against pathogens have limited effectiveness, necessitating a more robust approach to protect plants from various pathogens.

Innovation Solution

A nanoparticle formulation comprising sodium dithionite and at least one nitrite, applied to plants, which induces defense responses by increasing nitric oxide production and salicylic acid accumulation, enhancing the plant's innate immune system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chemicals and elicitor molecules are used to induce plant defense responses, then some defense activation occurs, but the effectiveness is limited and inconsistent against various plant pathogens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of defense inductionVSAvoidbroad-spectrum protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by using sodium dithionite to generate nitric oxide in situ, transforming the approach from applying external elicitors to creating a controlled chemical environment that triggers robust defense responses and systemic acquired resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces nitric oxide as an intermediary substance generated from sodium dithionite, which acts as a signaling molecule to activate defense gene expression and prime the plant immune system against diverse pathogens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If plant defense responses are activated through existing methods, then some resistance is achieved, but the response is not sufficiently robust or hyper-responsive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of defense responseVSAvoidsimplicity of treatment application

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies sodium dithionite treatment as a preliminary action before pathogen challenge, which primes the plant defense system in advance, leading to enhanced hyper-responsive defense when pathogens attack

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sodium dithionite to change the chemical parameter of nitric oxide availability, creating optimal conditions for triggering strong defense responses without complex application procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 nanoparticle formulation effectively reduces pathogen infection by triggering a hyper-responsive defense mechanism in plants, leading to significant reduction in disease symptoms and bacterial growth.

Implementation Method 1

sodium dithionite to a part of a plant for treating the plant to induce defense responses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNitric oxide generation: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS20230404081A1A formulation and a method for inducing defense response in plants

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 NAT INST OF PLANT GENOME RES

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a nanoparticle formulation comprising sodium dithionite and at least one nitrite. The present disclosure also relates to a method for treating a plant to induce defense responses, said method comprising: applying sodium dithionite or a substrate comprising the sodium dithionite to a part of a plant for treating the plant to induce defense responses. Also, disclosed herein is a method of preparing the nanoparticle formulation.