Methods and apparatuses to activate, modify, and sanitize the surfaces of granular, powdered, or seed material placed in a continuous flow of a low-temperature, reduced-pressure gas plasma. Said plasma may be created with radio-frequency power, using capacitive-inductive, or a combination of both types of discharge. The plasma is generated at pressures in the 0.01 to 10 Torr range. RF frequency ranges from 0.2 to 220 MHz, and correspond to a plasma density between about n.sub.e×10.sup.8-n.sub.e×10.sup.12 or 0.001 to 0.4 W/cm.sup.3. Inserts and electrodes may be temperature controlled to control process conditions. RF discharge may be pulsed or modulated by different frequency in order to stimulate energy exchange between gas plasma and process material. The apparatuses may be grounded, biased and mechanically activated (e.g., vibration, rotation, etc.).

Particles are sorted into paths based on a measurable parameter by forming them into a stream in at least one duct carried on a body rotating around an axis where the duct is shaped so that the particles are accelerated to cause the particles separated into the duct to be aligned one after another in a row in the duct. The parameter of the particles are measured in the aligned stream one after the other and the particles are directed into one of a plurality of paths as determined by the measurement. In one arrangement the body comprises a disk member having a front face facing a supply conduit and the duct lies in a radial plane of the disk member. In one arrangement the measurement of the parameter is carried out by one or more measurement devices either carried on the disk or outside the edge of the disk.

Particles are sorted into paths based on a measurable parameter by forming them into a stream in at least one duct carried on a body rotating around an axis where the duct is shaped so that the particles are accelerated to cause the particles separated into the duct to be aligned one after another in a row in the duct. The parameter of the particles are measured in the aligned stream one after the other and the particles are directed into one of a plurality of paths as determined by the measurement. In one arrangement the body comprises a disk member having a front face facing a supply conduit and the duct lies in a radial plane of the disk member. In one arrangement the measurement of the parameter is carried out by one or more measurement devices either carried on the disk or outside the edge of the disk.

A package 10 comprises a main body 12 for containing a seed lubricant; and a chamber 24 for retaining microorganisms in a viable state, wherein the main body 12 and the chamber 24 are separated by a disruptable dividing member 32, and further comprising a mechanism for disrupting the dividing member 32 such that the seed lubricant and the microorganisms may be blended just prior to deployment on a seed planter and wherein the main body 12, the chamber 24 and the disrupting member form an integral package suitable for providing the blend of seed lubricant and viable microorganisms to seeds in a seed planter.

A package 10 comprises a main body 12 for containing a seed lubricant; and a chamber 24 for retaining microorganisms in a viable state, wherein the main body 12 and the chamber 24 are separated by a disruptable dividing member 32, and further comprising a mechanism for disrupting the dividing member 32 such that the seed lubricant and the microorganisms may be blended just prior to deployment on a seed planter and wherein the main body 12, the chamber 24 and the disrupting member form an integral package suitable for providing the blend of seed lubricant and viable microorganisms to seeds in a seed planter.

A plasma treatment apparatus, comprising a housing defining a void (13); a source of ionised gas plasma (14) in communication with the void; and agitation apparatus (12) arranged to agitate contents of the void. The plasma can typically be generated at ambient pressure from the ambient air in the void. The apparatus can be used, in particular, for the treatment of materials comprising many small components, such as seeds, granular material, plastic beads and the like.

A seed treatment apparatus provides for minimal waste of products for treating seeds, in that it is precisely controllable and automatically adjustable. A volume of seeds to be treated and a flow rate of treatment product for treating the seeds can both be sensed. At least one of the flow rate of the treatment product and the volume of seeds can automatically be adjusted if it is determined that a ratio of the flow rate of treatment product to the volume of seeds is not the same as a predetermined flow rate to volume ratio.

A seed treatment apparatus provides for minimal waste of products for treating seeds, in that it is precisely controllable and automatically adjustable. A volume of seeds to be treated and a flow rate of treatment product for treating the seeds can both be sensed. At least one of the flow rate of the treatment product and the volume of seeds can automatically be adjusted if it is determined that a ratio of the flow rate of treatment product to the volume of seeds is not the same as a predetermined flow rate to volume ratio.

The present disclosure relates to a method for efficiently enriching lutein in broccoli sprouts under γ-aminobutyric acid combined with sodium chloride stress. In the present disclosure, Qingfeng broccoli seeds with plump particles, uniform size and germination ability are selected as raw materials; after removing impurities and being disinfected by a NaClO solution, the seeds are sprayed with distilled water for one day, then sprayed with a mixed aqueous solution of NaCl and γ-aminobutyric acid, to obtain broccoli sprouts.

The present disclosure relates to a method for efficiently enriching lutein in broccoli sprouts under γ-aminobutyric acid combined with sodium chloride stress. In the present disclosure, Qingfeng broccoli seeds with plump particles, uniform size and germination ability are selected as raw materials; after removing impurities and being disinfected by a NaClO solution, the seeds are sprayed with distilled water for one day, then sprayed with a mixed aqueous solution of NaCl and γ-aminobutyric acid, to obtain broccoli sprouts.