A Method for Selecting and Delivering Edible Plants of a Defined Nutritional Content

Abstract

A method of categorising microgreens, the method comprising the steps of establishing a growing protocol for specific species of microgreen that is replicatable to deliver reliable consistent cropping and maximise vitamin and mineral availability of the species; nutritionally mapping said species through its growing cycle; calculating the nutritional content of said species for a given crop; and categorising a plurality of species of microgreen based on their nutritional load; calculating the amount of crop of the species which, on its own or in combination with a crop of a different species delivers a pre-defined vitamin or mineral load and preparing and delivering to the end user a growing media pre-seeded with the calculated amount of crop of the or each species.

Claims

1. A method of categorizing microgreens, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a growing protocol for specific species of microgreen that is replicable to deliver reliable consistent cropping and maximize vitamin and mineral availability of the species; nutritionally mapping said species through its growing cycle; calculating the nutritional content of said species for a given crop; and categorizing a plurality of species of microgreen based on their nutritional load.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of calculating the amount of crop of the species which, on its own or in combination with a crop of a different species delivers a pre-defined vitamin or mineral load.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of preparing and delivering to the end user a growing media pre-seeded with the calculated amount of crop of the or each species.

4. A method according to claim 2, further comprising preparing and delivering the calculated amount of crop of the species.

5. A method of delivering pre-seeded growing media of a defined nutritional load, comprising the following steps: receiving a request from an end user for a defined dosage of a mineral of vitamin; selecting one or more species of microgreen whose nutritional load value, or whose combination provides a nutritional load value, to match the requested dose level; and calculating and outputting the size of a pre-seeded mat that would be required to provide the requested dose, or calculating and outputting the weight of each microgreen to harvest.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of preparing and delivering a growing media that has been pre-seeded with the selected species and calculated amount to deliver the requested dosage level.

7-8. (canceled)

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions including instructions that, when executed by a processor configure the processor to identify a pre-seeded growing media of a defined nutritional load by: receiving a request from an end user for a defined dosage of a mineral of vitamin; selecting one or more species of microgreen whose nutritional load value, or whose combination provides a nutritional load value, to match the requested dose level; and calculating and outputting the size of a pre-seeded mat that would be required to provide the requested dose, or calculating and outputting the weight of each microgreen to harvest.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] As discussed in the background of this application, the fully controlled growing systems and apparatus developed by the applicant have allowed the applicant to provide a guaranteed replicable environment for growing microgreens.

[0052] This in turn allows the applicant to map all the main varieties of microgreens for full spectrum contents to then formulate a strategy to raise selected key actives that are found in high amounts.

[0053] The data can then be used to calculate and select a specific growing area of mat that will yield a certain amount of target active such as specific vitamins and minerals.

[0054] If a selected crop of microgreens, chosen for its particular nutrient, is sown onto the mat at the same ratio every time and grown in a guaranteed replicable environment, then a guaranteed nutritional load can be achieved.

[0055] For example, if red cabbage microgreen is found to give 100 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of harvested leaf then the data can be used to calculate the size of the mat needed to grow that 100 g and also how many seeds need to be bonded to the mat.

[0056] For this example, if 100 g of crop is required, then the number of seeds and the surface area of the mat can be calculated. For example, the area required may be 10 cm.sup.2, then a consumer requiring 200 mg of vitamin C can be provided with a 20 cm.sup.2 on a pre-seeded cabbage mat and germinate the mat within a controlled growing chamber that is pre-set to the calculated growing protocol for that cabbage. The temperature, lighting and overall environment within the growing chamber is set to grow red cabbage providing the required nutritional load.

[0057] Changing the environment or lighting of the chamber will provide a different result on the nutrition content and yield.

[0058] The general process behind the formulation of nutritional load data for various species of micro-greens has been described above.

[0059] Implementation of systems and apparatus that utilises the nutritional load data will now be described.

[0060] Once the nutritional data on the micro-greens is established, trials for each key crop are undertaken to see how, through manipulation of the environment in which they grow, the nutritional load can be increased or enhanced. Trials will involve, for example without limitation, experimenting with different environmental controls, positive and negative pressures, light amendments and feed regimes.

[0061] Once the nutritional levels have been mapped, all values will be put into a software algorithm. This algorithm selects options of microgreens that can deliver a specified dose of target element (vitamin/mineral). The software will specify what elements are in each selection. The software will process the data to mix and match for the best selection of either single variety or mixed varieties to deliver the target dose of vitamins and minerals. The end-user s can then select what is the best array of vitamins and minerals for their needs from the shortlist provided by the algorithm.

[0062] For health professionals, the software will include the ability to deselect selections high in unwanted elements that are important for patient care.

[0063] A cancer specialist may for example, provide a diet plan for a patient who requires high levels of vitamin B12 and magnesium with high anti-oxidant properties but low copper, by choosing the best ratio of nutrients from a number of different options of combinations. The specialist may mix different crops for example to combine a crop with a high vitamin B12 with another crop having high anti-oxidant levels. Following this, the specialist can also set up mixes for multi vitamin sets which could be for example 10 cm.sup.2 of one crop from the pre-seeded mat and 20 cm.sup.2 of another crop from the pre-seeded mat to provide the optimum nutrient ratio to meet the needs of the patient.

[0064] Crops may be grown to compliment others acting as a catalyst crop to the target crop making it more effective when consumed.

[0065] The mats may be pre-fertilised or pre-inoculated with beneficial bacteria depending on the method for increase the nutritional load.

[0066] Experiments and trials will take place utilising vertical growing solutions, such as that developed by the applicant and previously referred to, within a 20 ft containerised room. The containerised room takes the form of foldable and modular structure. The containerised room is constructed in this form so that it is adaptable to the variable environmental controls and area required. The modular structure of the room also allows two units to be transported in a 40 ft container and flown via helicopter to places that are difficult to reach where the containers can then be erected and fully operational to grow crops within one day.

[0067] The modular structure of the containers allow them to be easily transported and quickly erected, in for example a village. The systems, when operational provide a defined and guaranteed nutritional value range and yield, which may have been previously specified for their purpose.

[0068] Other smaller modular room systems would be available for delivery and erection in places such as solutions of urban allotment projects, food banks, hospitals, prisons, schools and other social enterprise projects.

[0069] Finally, simple in-home systems would be available to provide a low-cost home-growing solution in the form of a tray with pre-seeded mats of specific nutritionally loaded greens ready for juicing in the kitchen.

[0070] For small scale commercial users and home use, the invention provides for the preparation of pre-seeded mats of specific nutritional content that will either be sold as a mat that the end user germinates and grows in one of the specified systems that can guarantee consistency, or it will be sold as ready grown crop on the mat that customers can buy from retailers just like any other vegetable crop.

[0071] Pre-seeded growing media or living growing crops will also be sold at set dose levels so the packaging defines the dose level then the customer can choose how much to take. For example, harvesting a 10 cm strip of set growing media will yield 10 mg of vitamin C. Harvesting 20 cm will yield 20 mg of vitamin C.

[0072] Then once ready to harvest the end user will harvest a specific amount of the crop that is detailed on the packaging to deliver the required dose. For example, the end user wants 10 mg of vitamin C so they harvest 20 cm of the growing mat for that amount.

[0073] Specialist growing fertilisers can be provided to assist in the high level of nutritional load to be achieved.

[0074] It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely an example of an embodiment and just some examples of its use. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.