SBIR Phase I: Microencapsulation of a Biocontrol Agent to Improve Control of Soilborne Pathogens

这个小型企业阶段创新研究（SBIR）一期项目将研究微胶囊化技术，包括微胶囊化相变材料（microPCMs），以改善土壤传播植物病害的生物防治。该项目的成功将提高该技术在广泛的生物防治领域的应用潜力。已有研究表明，微pcm (s)可以通过调节微气候显著提高生物除草剂的药效。植物病害生物防治生物制剂的实际应用受到环境（湿度和温度）的制约。此外，许多这些生物也缺乏合适的载体或输送系统。在这个项目中提出的技术将通过提供补充水分、补充营养和温度调节来解决这些限制，这些控制细菌被封装在一个保护胶囊内。创新的微胶囊技术将把水、微pcms和营养物质结合在一起，以一种可以输送到种子或营养插枝上的形式。第一阶段项目的主要目标如下：(1)评估微胶囊材料的相容性；(2)设计和制造水微胶囊和微pcms；(3)封装一种试验生物防治细菌；(4)评估这些配方单独或与试验细菌结合使用，以控制选定作物的土传疾病。这个项目的商业应用将是在巨大的、数十亿美元的市场上，用于控制花卉和玉米、大豆、棉花、高粱和水稻等作物的土传疾病所需的材料。

This Small Business Phase Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I project will investigate microencapsulation technology, including microencapsulated phase change materials (microPCMs), to improve biological control of soilborne plant diseases. Success in this program would enhance the potential of using this technology in a broad range of biocontrol arenas. Previous research has demonstrated that microPCM(s) can significantly improve bioherbicide efficacy through microclimate regulation. Biocontrol organisms for plant diseases have environmental constraints (moisture and temperature) to practical application. Additionally, many of these organisms also lack a suitable carrier or delivery system. The technology proposed in this program will address these constraints by providing supplemental moisture, supplemental nutrients and temperature regulation to a viable biocontrol bacterium that is encapsulated inside a protective capsule. Innovative microencapsulation techniques will combine water, microPCMs and nutrients in a form that can be delivered to seeds or vegetative cuttings. The key objectives of the Phase I project are as follows : (1) to evaluate compatibility of microencapsulated materials, (2) to design and to fabricate water microcapsules and microPCMs, (3) to encapsulate a test biocontrol bacterium, and 4) to evaluate these formulations individually or in combination with the test bacterium to control soilborne diseases in selected crops.The commercial applications of this project will be in the huge, multibillion dollar market for materials needed to control soilborne diseases in flowers and in crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, grain sorghum and rice.