A METHOD FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF A LIQUID SUBSTRATE COMPRISING MICROORGANISMS, INTO A SUBSTANCE IN SOLID STATE AND RELATIVE SUBSTANCE

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for the transformation of a liquid substrate including microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, into a substance in solid state, including: —production of a liquid substrate including a liquid culture of microorganisms through the use of a bioreactor; —providing a mixer provided with at least one nebulizer nozzle; —providing inside the mixer an adsorbent solid product such as amorphous silica; —nebulizing the liquid substrate including the liquid culture of microorganisms in the mixer through the at least one nebulizer nozzle; and mixing the liquid culture of microorganisms with the adsorbent solid product. Also disclosed is a substance in solid state including an amorphous substrate and microorganisms adhering to the substrate, obtained using a method as described above.

Claims

1. A method for the transformation of a liquid substrate comprising microorganisms into a substance in solid state, comprising: producing a liquid substrate comprising a liquid culture of microorganisms through the use of a bioreactor; providing a mixer provided with at least one nebulizer nozzle; providing inside the mixer an adsorbent solid product; nebulizing the liquid substrate comprising the liquid culture of microorganisms in said mixer through said at least one nebulizer nozzle; mixing the liquid culture of microorganisms with the adsorbent solid product.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a mixer comprises the step of providing a mixer of a double ribbon type.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of centrifuging said liquid culture of microorganisms prior to introduction into said mixer.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of micronize said liquid culture of microorganisms prior to introduction into said mixer.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of modulating the dimensions of the drops and the quantity of solid to obtain a substance in solid state with a humidity value between 20% and 60%.

6. Substance in solid state comprising an amorphous substrate and microorganisms adhering to said substrate, wherein the substance is obtained using the method according to claim 1.

7. The substance according to claim 6, wherein said amorphous substrate comprises amorphous silica.

8. The substance according to claim 6, wherein said microorganisms comprise bacteria or fungi.

9. The substance according to claim 6, wherein the substance is in the form of a fine powder.

10. An additive to other formulations used in the field of agriculture comprising the substance according to claim 6.

11. Substance in solid state comprising an amorphous substrate and microorganisms adhering to said substrate, wherein the substance is obtained using the method according to claim 2.

12. Substance in solid state comprising an amorphous substrate and microorganisms adhering to said substrate, wherein the substance is obtained using the method according to claim 3.

13. Substance in solid state comprising an amorphous substrate and microorganisms adhering to said substrate, wherein the substance is obtained using the method according to claim 4.

14. Substance in solid state comprising an amorphous substrate and microorganisms adhering to said substrate, wherein the substance is obtained using the method according to claim 5.

15. An additive to other formulations used in the field of agriculture comprising the substance according to claim 7.

16. An additive to other formulations used in the field of agriculture comprising the substance according to claim 11.

17. An additive to other formulations used in the field of agriculture comprising the substance according to claim 12.

18. An additive to other formulations used in the field of agriculture comprising the substance according to claim 13.

19. An additive to other formulations used in the field of agriculture comprising the substance according to claim 14.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the adsorbent solid product is amorphous silica.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] The advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following preferred mode of implementation of the invention, given by way of non-limiting illustration, and with the help of the figures, where:

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of the steps involved in the method for the transformation of a liquid substrate into a substance in solid state;

[0067] FIG. 2 shows a schematic depiction of the substance in solid state directly obtained with this transformation method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0068] With reference to FIG. 1, the process object of the present inventions, through which it is possible to bring a liquid culture or microorganisms to a solid state, comprises the following steps: [0069] production of the liquid culture of microorganisms through the use of a bioreactor 1 or classical fermentation methods (such as flasks and shakers); [0070] centrifuging by means of a centrifuge 2 for concentration of the microorganisms, if needed; [0071] micronisation by means of a microniser 3, this step being necessary to make the liquid produced homogeneous in the case of bacterial growths rich in frustules or fungals with the presence of solid mass; [0072] mixing, by means of a mixer 4, advantageously of a double ribbon type, provided with at least one nebulizer nozzle 6 through which it is possible to introduce by spray the liquid substrate, so as to mix the liquid culture of microorganisms with the adsorbent solid product.

[0073] More specifically, the first step involves the production of a liquid culture through a process of fermentation. This step can be carried out using a bioreactor 1 or in laboratory conditions.

[0074] Excellent results have been obtained using 50 and/or 500-litre bioreactors.

[0075] Once fermentation has taken place, the liquid product is drained from the bioreactor 1 and if necessary passed through the centrifuge 2 (max. speed 9600 rpm), so as to remove excess liquid and thereby concentrate the product. This step can be avoided if considered unnecessary, for example in the case of high titre concentrations or particular production needs. This step is also modulable, meaning that it is possible to obtain a more or less liquid product.

[0076] The liquid product—as is or centrifuged—is used for micronisation, a step in which a pump pushes the liquid through a turbine, which micronises any solid components present in the product (frustules, fungal myceleum), producing a homogeneous product.

[0077] The processed product is then sent to the final phase, mixing. Through a pump 5, the liquid L is aspirated and pushed through nozzles 6 (with variable dimensions depending on needs) that nebulise the product on the adsorbent solid S, advantageously amorphous silica in powder form.

[0078] In this phase, it is possible to modulate the dimensions of the drops of liquid L and the quantity of solid S, so that it will be possible to obtain a highly-flexible product based on needs.

[0079] Once this phase is completed, the product is drained from the mixer and can be stored in bulk or bagged directly, based on needs.

[0080] With reference to FIG. 2, a schematic depiction is shown of the substance in solid state directly obtained using the transformation method described above, where the elliptical structures 7 represent the amorphous substrate and the rhomboid structures 8 represent the microorganisms adhering to the substrate.

[0081] The solid substrate used (amorphous silica) is in powder form, using the mixer jet one obtains a solid substrate also in powder form, to which the microorganisms can adhere.

[0082] The substance in solid state obtained with this process is a fine powder, with variable granule size, 40% of which can pass through a 60 mesh (250 micron) sieve without the need for further processing. The humidity of the substance is on average between 20% and 60%, but processing can also be conducted with variable humidity, based on the characteristics of the final product one wishes to obtain.

[0083] The powder containing microorganisms can be added as an additive to other formulations used in the agricultural sector, whether liquid or solid, and is therefore highly versatile. Otherwise the product can be used as the sole component of formulations with a high technological value, i.e. without chemical additives, substantially containing only pure microorganisms, capable of performing an active function on the soil without compromising the viability of the other microorganisms already present.

Example 1

[0084] 40 L of soil suitable for the development of the bacterial microorganism under study were inserted in a bioreactor 1. Inoculation was carried out and the growing conditions needed for multiplication of the bacterium were applied.

[0085] At the end of the fermentation process the product was drained from the bioreactor and stored until the mixing phase.

[0086] The liquid product was fed to the mixer 4 and nebulized, using small-dimension nozzles 6, directly into the device containing only the adsorbent solid product S (amorphous silica).

[0087] Mixing of the two components was performed for several hours, in order to obtain a uniform product. The product was then drained and stored in suitable containers until required for use.

[0088] The result of this process was a fine powder, with a residual humidity between 20% and 60%.

[0089] The viability of the product thus obtained was at least one year, with storage at ambient temperature.

Example 2

[0090] 30 L of soil suitable for the development of the fungal microorganism under study were inserted in a bioreactor 1. Inoculation was carried out and the growing conditions needed for multiplication of the fungus were applied.

[0091] At the end of the fermentation process the product was drained from the bioreactor 1 and stored until the micronisation phase.

[0092] The liquid fungal product contained a significant solid proportion, mycelium, requiring passage through a microniser 3.

[0093] Following a series of cycles in the microniser 3 the product had suitable dimensions, and it was thus possible to move on to the next phase.

[0094] The micronised product was fed to the mixer 4 and nebulized, using medium-dimension nozzles 6, directly into the device containing only the adsorbent solid product S (amorphous silica).

[0095] Mixing of the two components was performed for several hours, in order to obtain a uniform product. The product was then drained and stored in suitable containers until required for use.

[0096] The result of this process was a fine powder, with a residual humidity between 20% and 60%.

[0097] The viability of the product thus obtained was at least one year, with storage at ambient temperature.