Starch Diluent Preservation of Poaceae Pollen Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preserving Poaceae pollen viability are inefficient for large-scale applications, as they require complex equipment and high costs, and do not effectively extend the pollen's viability beyond its natural lifespan under uncontrolled conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mixing Poaceae pollen with a diluent containing 10% to 50% starch granules by weight or volume, stored at various temperatures, to maintain viability and fertility for extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional pollen preservation methods are used, then equipment complexity and cost increase, but pollen viability extension is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available materials such as silica gel packets and common household items (coffee, rice, bread) as desiccants for pollen preservation. These disposable, low-cost materials replace complex preservation equipment, achieving effective pollen viability extension without requiring sophisticated devices or expensive infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary desiccant materials (silica gel, coffee, rice, bread) that mediate between the pollen and the ambient environment. These intermediaries absorb excess moisture and create a controlled microenvironment, extending pollen viability without direct reliance on complex equipment or extreme conditions.
2Reliability
If pollen is stored under uncontrolled ambient conditions, then storage simplicity is maintained, but pollen viability is rapidly lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing pollen with desiccant materials before storage. This pre-treatment creates a protected pollen-desiccant composite that maintains viability during storage, combining reliability improvement with storage simplicity. The desiccant is already in place to prevent moisture-related viability loss without requiring complex storage infrastructure.
3Reliability
If high humidity and cold temperature storage is applied, then pollen viability is partially maintained, but storage cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service preservation where the desiccant materials (silica gel, coffee, rice, bread) autonomously regulate moisture around the pollen without requiring external energy input or active control systems. The desiccants naturally absorb excess humidity through passive physical processes, maintaining pollen viability without energy-consuming refrigeration or humidity control equipment.
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 enhances pollen performance and stability, allowing for successful pollination and seed production, even after prolonged storage, by minimizing interactions between live and dead pollen grains.
Implementation Method 1
mixing collected Poaceae pollen with a diluent comprising between 10% and 50% starch granules
Implementation Method 2
mixing collected Poaceae pollen with a diluent comprising between 10% and 50% starch granules by weight or by volume
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of preserving pollen and storing pollen in a diluent that contains between 10% and 50% starch granules by weight or by volume. The preservation technique maintains pollen viability such that the pollen can be used to pollinate plants and create seeds. The method results in stored pollen with improved viability as compared to pollen that is left in ambient conditions or that is mixed with other diluents that do not contain the starch component. The starch can be derived from any source. Also encompassed by the invention are compositions of pollen in diluent mixtures wherein the diluent contains between 10% and 50% starch granules by weight or by volume. The compositions include the separation of dead pollen contents from live pollen grains by using starch mixed with other solid particulates.