Process to improve the quality of grains and seeds

• US 20030180385A1
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Original Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Inventors: Fulcher, R. G., Martinelli, Marcia, Martinelli, Jose A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,927,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/661
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 2300/00 Combinations or mixtures of active ingredients covered by classes A01N27/00 - A01N65/48 with other active or formulation relevant ingredients, e.g. specific carrier materials or surfactants, covered by classes A01N25/00 - A01N65/48
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/00 Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators, characterised by their forms, or by their non-active ingredients or by their methods of application , e.g. seed treatment or sequential application; Substances for reducing the noxious effect of the active ingredients to organisms other than pests
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 31/02 Acyclic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 37/02 Saturated carboxylic acids or thio analogues thereof; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 37/16 containing the group; Thio analogues thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/00 Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing elements or inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 9/30 Inorganic compounds

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of treating a grain or seed to reduce the contamination level of a seed-associated pathogen.

Claims

1. A method of treating a grain or seed to reduce the contamination level of seed-associated pathogenic fungi, or a toxin from a seed associated pathogenic fungi, comprising contacting the grain or seed with a treatment solution comprising hypochlorite at a concentration of about 0.1% to about 12% v/v at a starting pH of above about 5.0 for a period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hypochlorite is at a concentration of about 0.5 to about 3.3% v/v.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hypochlorite is at a concentration of about 0.8 to about 1.2% v/v.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pH is above about 13.0.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the period of time is for at least 1 second.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the time period is from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step takes place at a temperature of about 40 to 150°

F.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step takes place at a temperature of about 60 to 80°

F.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the contamination level is reduced by 0.1% to 100%.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the contamination level is reduced by 80% to 90%.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising an additional chemical.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the additional chemical is an alkali or acid.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the additional chemical is sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium phosphate dibasic, sodium bicarbonate, glacial acetic acid and peracetic acid.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the contamination is caused by a fungus.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fungus is Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium solani or other species (Fusarium spp.), Bipolaris sorokiniana, Drechslera teres, Drechslera tritici-repentis, Drechslera avenae or other species (Drechslera spp), Helminthosporium spp., Alternaria spp., Diplodia spp., Septoria tritici or other species (Septoria spp.), or Stagonospora nodorum.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the toxin contamination is by Deoxynivalenol (DON), Nivalenol, Zearalenone, Trichothecenes, Moniliformin, Fumonisins, Ochratoxin A, Citrinin, or Patulin.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the toxin contamination is by Deoxynivalenol (DON), Nivalenol, or Zearalenone.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the grain or seed is a wheat, barley, corn, soybean, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, peanut, canola, clover, pasture seed, cucurbit seed, flower seed, or vegetable seed.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the grain or seed is a wheat, barley, corn, soybean, or oats.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the method increases germination rates of the grain or seed.