Yeast Composition for Continuous CO2 Release in Insect Traps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing carbon dioxide for insect traps are expensive and complex, such as using industrial gas cylinders, or rely on microorganisms like yeast, which may not provide a continuous and uniform release.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a combination of yeast strains with different alcohol tolerances and nutrient sources, including baker's yeast and turbo yeast, optimized for CO2 production, is used with a carbohydrate source to create a continuous and uniform release of CO2 over an extended period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If industrial gas cylinders are used to provide carbon dioxide, then CO2 can be supplied reliably, but the cost increases and technical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex industrial gas cylinders with a simple, disposable biological system using yeast and sugar. The yeast container is a simple vessel that can be easily discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex gas storage and delivery infrastructure while maintaining reliable CO2 production throughout the experiment duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/gas-cylinder-based CO2 delivery system with a biological system. Instead of using compressed gas cylinders and mechanical delivery mechanisms, the invention uses yeast fermentation and respiration to biologically produce CO2, thereby eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Device complexity
If single yeast strain is used for CO2 production, then the system is simple, but continuous and uniform CO2 release is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different yeast strains (baker's yeast and distiller's yeast) in a single container system. Baker's yeast provides initial rapid CO2 production, while distiller's yeast maintains continuous CO2 release over extended periods. This merging of complementary yeast strains achieves both simplicity (single container) and prolonged continuous CO2 release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite biological system by combining different yeast strains with complementary characteristics. The mixture of baker's yeast (high CO2 production rate) and distiller's yeast (high alcohol tolerance and sustained production) creates a synergistic effect that extends CO2 release duration while maintaining system simplicity.
3Speed
If baker's yeast is used for rapid CO2 production, then CO2 is produced quickly, but production does not continue uniformly over extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic succession of yeast strains with different functional characteristics. Baker's yeast performs rapid CO2 production in the initial phase, then distiller's yeast takes over to maintain continuous production over extended periods. This periodic action of different yeast strains ensures both rapid initial CO2 release and sustained long-term production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses baker's yeast to perform preliminary CO2 production rapidly in the initial phase, creating a head start on CO2 accumulation. This preliminary action by baker's yeast ensures quick attraction of insects, while the subsequent sustained action by distiller's yeast maintains attraction over extended periods.
4Reliability
If distiller's yeast is used for alcohol production, then alcohol tolerance is high, but CO2 production is not optimized for rapid release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CO2 production function between two yeast strains with specialized roles. Baker's yeast is dedicated to rapid CO2 production in the initial phase, while distiller's yeast is dedicated to maintaining alcohol tolerance and sustained CO2 release. This segmentation of functional responsibilities allows each strain to optimize for its specific role.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional characteristics to different parts of the biological system. Baker's yeast provides high-speed CO2 production capability in the initial phase, while distiller's yeast provides alcohol tolerance and sustained production in later phases. Each yeast strain is locally optimized for its specific temporal role in the overall CO2 production process.
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 composition enables cost-effective, continuous, and uniform CO2 production for an extended duration, making it suitable for insect traps, with higher yields compared to using individual yeast strains alone, and easy disposal without special regulations.
Implementation Method 1
microorganisms such as yeast, which produce carbon dioxide from a corresponding substrate by metabolization, in particular by fermentation and/or by respiration
Implementation Method 2
microorganisms such as yeast, which produce carbon dioxide from a corresponding substrate by metabolization, in particular by fermentation and/or by respiration
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition for the production of CO2, the use of a composition for the production of CO2 for an insect trap, in particular for an insect trap for attracting blood-sucking insects and arthropods, and a method for the production of CO2. The composition comprises a component a), a component b), and a component c). Component a) comprises at least a first yeast strain, which has a low tolerance of less than 100 g of alcohol per liter. Component b) comprises at least one second yeast strain, which has a high tolerance of greater than 100 g of alcohol per liter. Component c) comprises at least one nutrient source for the at least one first yeast strain and/or for the at least one second yeast strain, wherein component c) is being formed by a turbo yeast or by a yeast extract.