Process for removal of agricultural chemicals from seed kernels
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A process for removing agricultural chemicals from seed grain kernels comprising the steps of:
- a. abrading the surface of the grain kernels to remove said chemicals adhered to the surface thereof;
b. soaking the kernel of step a. in an alkaline solution having a pH of greater than 10.0 in order to facilitate removal of the pericarp from said kernel;
c. rinsing the kernel of step b. in an organic solvent;
d. grinding the kernel; and
e. extracting remaining chemicals from the ground kernel of step d. with an organic solvent thereby providing a low-level chemical content of less than 1.0 ppm in the seed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process for the removal of agricultural chemicals from seed grain kernels. The process includes removal of chemicals adsorbed to the surface of the seed by abrasion and removal of chemicals absorbed into the seed by extraction with organic solvents. Removal of such chemicals to a level of less than 1.0 ppm is possible.
24 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A process for removing agricultural chemicals from seed grain kernels comprising the steps of:
-
a. abrading the surface of the grain kernels to remove said chemicals adhered to the surface thereof; b. soaking the kernel of step a. in an alkaline solution having a pH of greater than 10.0 in order to facilitate removal of the pericarp from said kernel; c. rinsing the kernel of step b. in an organic solvent; d. grinding the kernel; and e. extracting remaining chemicals from the ground kernel of step d. with an organic solvent thereby providing a low-level chemical content of less than 1.0 ppm in the seed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of removing agricultural chemicals from seed grain kernels, comprising the steps of:
-
a. subjecting the kernels to abrasion for a time sufficient to remove a major portion of said chemicals adhered to the surface thereof; b. grinding the kernels to reduce the particle size thereof and to expose the interior portions of said kernel; and c. extracting said chemicals from interior portions of said kernel with at least one extraction with an organic solvent thereby providing a low-level chemical content of less than 1.0 ppm in the kernel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
- 17. A method of removing agricultural chemicals from seed grain kernels comprising the steps of abrading the surface of the kernels in order to remove chemicals adhered to the surface thereof and removing remaining chemicals from the interior of the kernels by extracting said chemicals with an organic solvent thereby providing a low-level chemical content of less than 1.0 ppm in the kernels.
Specification