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

这个小企业阶段创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将研究微胶囊技术，包括微胶囊相变材料（microPCMs），以改善土传植物病害的生物防治。这一计划的成功将提高在广泛的生物防治领域使用这项技术的潜力。先前的研究表明，微PCM可以通过微气候调节显着提高生物除草剂的功效。植物病害的生物防治生物在实际应用中受到环境（湿度和温度）的限制。此外，这些生物体中的许多还缺乏合适的载体或递送系统。该计划中提出的技术将通过为封装在保护胶囊内的活生物防治细菌提供补充水分，补充营养和温度调节来解决这些限制。创新的微胶囊技术将以一种可以输送到种子或营养插条的形式将联合收割机水、微PCM和营养素结合起来。第一阶段项目的主要目标如下：（1）评价微囊化材料的相容性，（2）设计和制造水微囊和微PCM，（3）包封测试生物防治细菌，和4）的方法以评估这些制剂单独或与测试细菌组合用于控制选定作物的土传疾病。该项目的商业应用将包括在控制花卉和玉米、大豆、棉花、高粱和水稻等作物土传病害所需的数十亿美元的巨大材料市场中，

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.