Characterization of electrostatic charges of fungal spores and their impact on spore viability

该应用旨在研究真菌孢子的摩擦充电行为及其对孢子的影响 可行性和稳定性。诺维信生物有限公司，工业合作伙伴，是一个领导者，使微生物为基础的 肥料、生物防治和生物产量增强剂产品。他们产品的活性成分往往是真菌 孢子，小体积的微生物在整个生产周期中，真菌孢子经常接触 与过程设备。由于孢子及其接触表面的不同功函数，接触充电或 摩擦充电现象是不可避免的。因此，真菌孢子将在一定程度上携带电荷， 接触对应物将带相反的电荷。大量电荷会破坏孢子膜 导致孢子活力和稳定性的丧失。然而，缺乏与影响有关的知识 发酵孢子表面的加工诱导静电荷。鉴于这一知识差距， 拟议的项目旨在建立一个先进的理解静电电荷及其对孢子的影响 可行性和稳定性。 为实现研究目标，本研究计划完成两项具体任务。在 简要地说，颗粒尺寸和静电荷测量将在项目的前半期完成（任务1）。 在任务2中，活力和稳定性试验将与静电荷测量相关。成功 这项研究的执行将导致处理真菌孢子的新知识， 商业过程。基于这些急需的知识，有很大的潜力，指导新的过程 发展拟议的研究还将加强和促进HQP的生成， 农业和其他相关行业所需的专业知识和技能。

This application aims to investigate tribocharging behaviours of fungal spores and their impact on spore viability and stability. Novozymes BioAg Limited, the industrial partner, is a leader in making microbial based fertilizer, biocontrol, and bioyield enhancer products. The active ingredients of their products are often fungal spores, microbial organisms of small sizes. During the whole production cycle, fungal spores frequently contact with process devices. Due to different work functions of spores and their contact surfaces, a contact charging or tribocharging phenomenon is inevitable. As a result, fungal spores will carry charges to some extent while the contact counterpart will be charged oppositely. Significant charges could damage the spore membrane, resulting in a loss of spore viability and stability. However, there is a dearth of knowledge related to the impact of processing-induced electrostatic charges on surface fermented spores. In view of this knowledge gap, the proposed project aims to establish an advanced understanding of electrostatic charges and their impact on spore viability and stability. To realize the research goals, two specific tasks are planned and will be completed in the proposed project. In brief, particle size and electrostatic charge measurement will be done in the first half project duration (Task 1). In Task 2, viability and stability tests will be correlated with electrostatic charge measurements. Successful execution of this research will lead to new knowledge of handling fungal spores pertinent to the current commercial processes. Based on such much-needed knowledge, there is great potential for guiding new process development. The proposed research will also enhance and facilitate generation of HQPs with developed expertise and skills needed for agriculture and other relevant industries.