COMPOSITION FOR PRODUCING CO2, USE OF A COMPOSITION FOR PRODUCING CO2, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CO2

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition for the production of CO.sub.2, the use of a composition for the production of CO.sub.2 for an insect trap, in particular for an insect trap for attracting blood-sucking insects and arthropods, and a method for the production of CO.sub.2. 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.

Claims

1.-13: (canceled)

14. A composition for the production of CO.sub.2, comprising: a component a) comprising at least one first yeast strain, wherein the at least one first yeast strain has a low tolerance of less than 100 g of alcohol per liter, a component b) comprising at least one second yeast strain, wherein the at least one second yeast strain has a high tolerance of greater than 100 g of alcohol per liter, and a component c) comprising a yeast extract or by a turbo yeast.

15. The composition of claim 14, wherein the at least one first yeast strain comprises a baker's yeast.

16. The composition of claim 14, wherein the at least one second yeast strain comprises a distiller's yeast, a brewer's yeast or a wine yeast.

17. The composition of claim 14, wherein the at least one second yeast strain comprises a turbo yeast.

18. The composition of claim 14, wherein components a), b), and c) are each in freeze-dried form.

19. The composition of claim 14, wherein components a), b), and c) are present in a weight ratio of 1-10:1-10:1-10.

20. The composition of claim 19, wherein components a), b), and c) are present in a ratio of 2:1:1 or 1:2:1 or 1:1:2.

21. The composition of claim 14, wherein the at least one first yeast strain or the at least one second yeast strain are osmotolerant and tolerate a high initial concentrations of sugar.

22. A method of attracting blood-sucking insects and arthropods, the method comprising producing CO.sub.2 in an insect trap with a composition comprising: a component a) comprising at least one first yeast strain, wherein the at least one first yeast strain has a low tolerance of less than 100 g of alcohol per liter, a component b) comprising at least one second yeast strain, wherein the at least one second yeast strain has a high tolerance of greater than 100 g of alcohol per liter, and a component c) comprising a yeast extract or by a turbo yeast.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the producing CO.sub.2 step continuously produces CO.sub.2 for at least 12 hours.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the producing CO.sub.2 step continuously produces CO.sub.2 for at least 24 hours.

25. A method for the production of CO.sub.2, comprising making an aqueous solution of a carbohydrate source; and a composition comprising: a component a) comprising at least one first yeast strain, wherein the at least one first yeast strain has a low tolerance of less than 100 g of alcohol per liter, a component b) comprising at least one second yeast strain, wherein the at least one second yeast strain has a high tolerance of greater than 100 g of alcohol per liter, a component c) comprising a yeast extract or by a turbo yeast,

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the carbohydrate source comprises a monosaccharide or a disaccharide, or a flour or any other suitable starch source.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein carbohydrate comprises glucose, fructose, or sucrose.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the water temperature is between 33 and 38 degrees Celsius.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein water of a temperature between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius is used to prepare the aqueous solution.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the water temperature is temperature between 33 and 38 degrees Celsius.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the water temperature is 35 degrees Celsius.

32. The method of claim 25, comprising mixing comprises 500 grams of sugar and 20 grams of the composition in 2 liters of water.

33. The method of claim 25 wherein the aqueous solution continuously produces CO.sub.2 for at least 12 hours.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0053] In the following passages, the attached figures further illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages. The size ratios of the individual elements in the figures do not necessarily reflect the real size ratios. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 1 graphically shows the amounts of carbon dioxide produced by a composition according to the invention.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a reaction bag for the production of carbon dioxide.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows the use of the composition within an insect trap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] The same or equivalent elements of the invention are designated by identical reference characters. Furthermore, and for the sake of clarity, only the reference characters relevant for describing the respective figure are provided. It should be understood, that the embodiments described are only examples describing an embodiment of the device and/or method according to the invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 1 graphically shows the amounts of carbon dioxide produced by a composition according to the invention. In the graph, the X-axis represents the cultivation period in hours and minutes. The Y-axis represents the CO.sub.2 production in liters. In each case, an aqueous carbohydrate solution was prepared, which was mixed each with a defined amount of a single component a), b) or c) of the composition or with a defined amount of the composition. Subsequently, the CO.sub.2 production in liters was measured over a cultivation period of 24 hours and the measured values were presented graphically.

[0059] Curve A shows the CO.sub.2 production when using a defined amount X of an instant baker's yeast. Curve B shows the CO.sub.2 production when using a defined amount X of a so-called turbo yeast. Curve C shows the CO.sub.2 production using a defined amount X of a yeast extract and curve Z shows the CO.sub.2 production using a defined amount X of a composition comprising 0.5 times instant baker's yeast; 0.25 times turbo yeast and 0.25 times yeast extract.

[0060] Curve A clearly shows that baker's yeast is especially optimized to produce large amounts of carbon dioxide in the absence of air and in a short period of time. In particular, CO.sub.2 production in baker's yeast starts essentially immediately after the baker's yeast is mixed into the carbohydrate solution and increases essentially continuously and uniformly over the 24-hour period.

[0061] Turbo yeast is a mixture of a yeast and a yeast nutrient, which mixture is optimized for the production of alcohol and which is tolerating an alcohol content of at least 14%. For example, such turbo yeast consists of 58% of a distillers yeast, 20% of carbamide, 16% of phosphates, 3% of sulfates, 2% of carbonates, and 1% of vitamins and trace elements.

[0062] In curve B it can be seen, that the production of carbon dioxide starts with a delay; in particular, the CO.sub.2 production only enters the linear range after about eight hours and saturation already occurs after a further eight hours. Saturation especially results in particular from the consumption of the carbohydrate source.

[0063] Furthermore, in curve C the CO.sub.2 production is shown when using a yeast extract as component c). This is a dead yeast cell material, which is broken down to a greater or lesser extent depending on the manufacturer, but generally it contains no active yeast cells. The slight CO.sub.2 production that begins after about eight hours can be explained by the fact, that the production of the carbohydrate solution and the addition of the yeast extract were not carried out under sterile conditions. Thus, organisms from the environment, for example from air, enter the nutrient solution formed by the yeast extract. The organisms multiply within the nutrient solution and also produce CO.sub.2 through normal cellular respiration. The work was not carried out under sterile conditions, since when using the composition with insect traps, usually the work is not or cannot be carried out in a sterile manner either.

[0064] The comparison with curve Z showing the CO.sub.2 production when using a composition of 0.5 parts instant baker's yeast, 0.25 parts turbo yeast and 0.25 parts yeast extract, reveals that CO.sub.2 production using the composition starts immediately and already enters the linear range after about one hour. With the composition, significantly higher amounts of CO.sub.2 can be produced continuously and essentially uniformly, especially within the first twelve hours compared to using only baker's yeast (curve A). Furthermore, CO.sub.2 production within the first twelve hours is also optimized compared to the use of turbo yeast only (curve B), since in that case CO.sub.2 production only starts with a delay.

[0065] For example, 500 g of household sugar are dissolved in two liters of warm water, in particular water at a temperature of about 35 degrees Celsius, and 20 grams of each of the individual components or 20 grams of the composition are added. With such a mixture, approximately 200 g of CO.sub.2 can be generated over a period of 24 hours.

[0066] FIG. 2 shows a reaction bag 1 for the production of carbon dioxide by the composition described above. The reaction bag 1 preferably consists of a thin plastic material. The reaction bag 1 further comprises a closure arrangement 2 with a lid 3. Preferably, this is formed as a screw cap 4, which comprises a receiving opening 5 for a connecting tube 6 (see FIG. 3).

[0067] Furthermore, it can be provided, that the reaction bag 1 is equipped with a carrying handle 7 in order to be able to transport the reaction bag 1 better and more easily, in particular when it is in a filled state.

[0068] The aqueous mixture of a carbohydrate source, in particular sugar, and a composition according to the invention can be prepared directly therein by filling water, sugar and the composition into the reaction bag 1 and mixing them together therein. In this case, it may be provided, that additionally another lid without a receiving opening is provided, so that the reaction bag 1 can be sealed tightly for a short time after the filling in of the components of the mixture for mixing the same. Alternatively, the components can also be mixed outside the reaction bag 1 and the mixture is subsequently filled into the reaction bag 1.

[0069] Preferably, it is provided, that the reaction bag 1 can be used several times. In particular, the reaction bag 1 can be repeatedly refilled with an appropriate mixture of water, carbohydrate source and composition.

[0070] Alternatively, it is possible to remove only part of the mixture from the reaction bag 1 after a defined CO.sub.2 production time has elapsed and add a new aqueous carbohydrate solution. The yeasts contained in the mixture remaining within the reaction bag 1 provide a sufficient starter culture for further CO.sub.2 production. However, if necessary, this cannot be done as often as desired in this form, since the amount of nutrients, which is provided by component c), continuously decreases. If the same starter composition is used several times, it may therefore be necessary to add further yeast extract, in order to maintain the optimum conditions for CO.sub.2 production.

[0071] The reaction bag 1 may further be equipped with a temperature indicator 8, for example with a temperature measuring strip 9. In particular, this temperature measuring strip 9 preferably has a plurality of temperature indicators in order to measure the temperature at the surface of the reaction bag 1, whereby corresponding conclusions can be drawn about the temperatures prevailing inside the reaction bag 1. Preferably, the temperature indicators consist of substances that perform a reversible color change at certain temperatures, so that the reaction bags 1 equipped with temperature indicator 8 can preferably be used several times.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows the use of the composition according to the invention for the production of carbon dioxide for an insect trap 10. In the embodiment shown, it is in particular an insect trap 10 for attracting and/or catching flying insects and/or pest insects 30 such as biting mosquitoes, mosquitoes, yellow fever mosquitoes, Zika mosquitoes, tiger mosquitoes or other blood-sucking insects, such as blood-sucking bugs, blood-sucking flies, fleas, lice, midges, sandflies, etc., etc., etc.

[0073] The insect trap 10 comprises an upper circular suction opening 11 continuing into a cylindrical suction channel 12, that is leading vertically downwards, in which suction channel 12 prevails an air flow pressurizing the suction opening 11 with negative pressure or with a suction flow 13 and leading to an interior 14 of the insect trap 10 or into it. In addition, the insect trap 10 is provided with a frustoconical outer wall 15, which outer wall 15 has a surface that is at least partially permeable to outflowing air 16, which outer wall 15 is formed, in particular, by a net-like structure 17, the mesh size of which is large enough for a sufficient outflowing air flow 16 to pass therethrough, but the mesh size of which reliably prevents escape of the insects 30 trapped within the interior 14 of the trap 10.

[0074] The outer wall 15 surrounds the suction channel 12 in the vicinity of the suction opening 11 and envelops the suction channel 12 in the further section continuing downwards at a varying radial distance, so that the outer wall 15 widens downwardly in a conical shape. In addition, the insect trap 10 is provided with a bottom side 18, which bottom side 18 adjoins the outer wall 15, is largely impermeable to incoming or outgoing air and is located opposite the suction opening 11, and which bottom side 18 is spaced from an open lower end side 19 of the suction channel 12, which extends into the interior 14 of the insect trap 10. In the illustrated embodiment of the insect trap 10, the bottom side 18 is planar and circularly shaped, and it is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the suction channel 12.

[0075] At least one fan 20 generating the suction flow 13 may be arranged within the suction channel 12. The suction flow 13 has an air velocity which, if possible, makes it significantly more difficult for the attracted insects 30 to escape the vicinity of the suction opening 11. Rather, they are sucked into the interior 14 of the trap 10 with the aid of the sufficiently strong suction flow 13 and there they are reliably prevented from flying back out of the interior 14. Suitable means for restraining or killing the trapped insects 30, which are not shown here, may be arranged within the trap 10.

[0076] The insect trap 10 may be mounted in a hanging position or in a standing position in such a way that the suction opening 11 is directed upwardly and that the suction channel 12 preferably extends in an approximately vertical direction, and wherein the bottom side 18 forms a lower horizontal closure of the trap 10.

[0077] The outflowing air 16 already represents an attracting stimulus for the insects. As an additional attracting stimulus, the outflowing air is additionally enriched with carbon dioxide by introducing carbon dioxide into the insect trap 10 via a corresponding feed. This mixes within the insect trap 10 with the air drawn in by the suction flow 13 and flows out of the insect trap via the outer wall 15.

[0078] For example, a reaction bag 1 is filled with an aqueous solution comprising a sugar as a carbohydrate source and the composition according to the invention, which is described in the context of the application. A free end of a connecting tube 6 is inserted into the reaction bag 1 via the receiving opening 5 and attached to the reaction bag 1. The other free end of the connecting tube 6 is attached to a corresponding receiving opening 21 of the insect trap 10.

[0079] The carbon dioxide produced within the reaction bag 1 is introduced into the insect trap 10 through the connecting tube 6 and is discharged from the insect trap 10 again with the outflowing air 16 via the outer wall 15, by which it can exert its attracting effect on the flying insects and/or pest insects 30.

[0080] For example, such insect traps 10 are advantageously used as part of studies to capture flying insects and/or pest insects 30 overnight. The flying insects and/or pest insects 30 are subsequently counted and categorized as part of the study. The uniform production of carbon dioxide starts after approximately one hour. Thus, the preparation of the insect trap 10 should ideally begin approximately one hour before the start of the counting.

[0081] The reaction bag 1 can additionally be arranged in a thermal container 25. An optimum reaction temperature can be ensured within the thermal container 25. In particular, this prevents an effect of the outside temperature on the CO.sub.2 production.

[0082] The environment and thus the prevailing outside temperature has a strong influence on the CO.sub.2 production by the yeasts. At temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius, especially at temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, the yeasts die, which leads to a reduction in the CO.sub.2 production. It must be borne in mind here that heat is generated by the yeasts themselves during the CO.sub.2 production, so that at high outside temperatures, such as those prevailing in tropical regions, these critical temperatures may well be reached within the reaction mixture even at night.

[0083] The arrangement of the reaction bag 1 within a thermal container 25 is also advantageous if, for example, it cools down considerably overnight, since the growth and thus the metabolism of the yeasts is significantly slowed down at cold temperatures, in particular at temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius, which is correspondingly reflected in a reduction in CO.sub.2 production.

[0084] It may further be provided, that a bubble counter 27 may be integrated into the connecting tube 6 to measure the flow rate of carbon dioxide.

[0085] With the composition according to the invention, an optimized CO.sub.2 production is achieved with regard to continuity, quantity and uniformity of CO.sub.2 release. Through the appropriate combination of at least two different yeast strains and a nutrient component within the composition according to the invention, the respective optimized properties of the different yeast strains can be combined in a useful manner. Compared to the use of pure baker's yeast, the composition is characterized by a higher CO.sub.2 yield. Compared to the use of pure turbo yeast, the composition is especially characterized by the fact that the production of CO.sub.2 starts significantly faster and, in particular, passes significantly faster into the linear, uniform production range.

[0086] By appropriately adjusting the amount ratios of the composition in relation to the carbohydrate source and/or by adjusting the ratios of the individual components a), b) and c) within the composition, an especially continuous and substantially uniform CO.sub.2 production can be achieved over different desired periods of time, in particular over periods of time ranging from several days up to one to two weeks.

[0087] The composition can be produced in an inexpensive manner because the composition contains, for example, smaller amounts of turbo yeast compared to the cheaper obtainable baker's yeast. With the composition, the CO.sub.2 can be produced much more cost-effectively than when using corresponding quantities of dry ice or CO.sub.2 compressed within a gas cylinder.

[0088] Another advantage is the easy disposal of the mixture. Since this is a mixture of water, alcohol and yeast, it can be easily disposed of without having to comply with any special regulations.

[0089] The embodiments, examples and variations of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and the figures, including their various views or respective individual features, may be used independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless the features are incompatible.

[0090] Although the figures generally refer to “schematic” representations and views, this does not mean that the figure representations and their description are of secondary importance with respect to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite capable of obtaining enough information from the schematically and abstractly drawn representations to facilitate his understanding of the invention without being impaired in any way in his understanding, for example, by the drawn and possibly not exactly to scale proportions of the device and/or parts of the device or other drawn elements. The figures thus enable the skilled person as a reader to derive a better understanding of the idea of the invention formulated in a more general and/or abstract manner in the claims as well as in the general part of the description on the basis of the more concretely explained implementations of the process according to the invention and the more concretely explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

[0091] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. To the expert it is also conceivable, however, to make changes and modifications without leaving the scope of protection of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0092] 1 reaction bag [0093] 2 closure arrangement [0094] 3 lid [0095] 4 screw cap [0096] 5 receiving opening [0097] 6 connecting tube [0098] 7 carrying handle [0099] 8 temperature indicator [0100] 9 temperature measuring strip [0101] 10 insect trap [0102] 11 suction opening [0103] 12 suction channel [0104] 13 suction flow [0105] 14 interior [0106] 15 outer wall [0107] 16 outflowing air [0108] 17 net-like structure [0109] 18 bottom side [0110] 19 lower end side [0111] 20 fan [0112] 21 receiving opening [0113] 25 thermal container [0114] 27 bubble counter [0115] 30 flying insects and/or pest insects [0116] A CO.sub.2 production when using instant baker's yeast [0117] B CO.sub.2 production when using turbo yeast [0118] C CO.sub.2 production when using yeast extract [0119] Z CO.sub.2 production when using the composition according to the invention.