Periodic Reporting for period 3 - Safer ACC (ACC – An efficient harmless Plant Growth Regulator for fruit/vegetables RIPENING)
Reporting period: 2020-03-01 to 2020-10-31
The physiological processes in plants such as the growth, the development, as well as the maturation of the fruits are controlled and regulated by certain organic substances produced by the plants called Phyto-hormones. Among them highlight Ethylene. Specifically, the ethylene not only affects fruits, also in other plant organs, such as buds, flowers, seeds, leaves and roots. Besides, ethylene causes the lethargy of the plants, the growth and differentiation of shoots and roots, the fall of leaves and fruits, the induction of flowers in some plants, the ripening of the fruits among others.
Due to the important role that plays the Ethylene in Plants and in order to find a disruptive molecule that releases Ethylene, Bionative is interested in the development of an innovative formulation containing ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid), as active ingredient, of natural origin. Therefore, our investigations have been focused on the synthetic optimization of the ACC, to reduce the production costs, decreasing its selling price, converting the solution into a safety, marketable and competitive product with good results.
Before the market launch, the ACC considered as a Plant Growth Regulator and its formulation must fulfil the EU Regulation EC/1107/2009. In this sense, Bionative has established the bases (Data gap analysis) so ACC as formulation based on ACC and has contacted with the accredited laboratories to perform the analysis and submit the application dossier, once proven its effectiveness in one safe use under the Regulation cited. It will also consider other different regulations that must be met in other targeted regions such as United States, Mexico and Brazil.
In parallel, this project includes the engineering activities to convert the optimized synthetic route of the ACC into a marketable product. It has been defined the equipment, auxiliaries, etc. with well-sized units. The inputs have been created while the laboratory batches of ACC are being completed (mini pilot plant of 20 L), contributing to identify all the keys parameters and variables to control and specifications to be met for the pilot plant production unit. It has been provided the Piping and Instrumentation diagram (P&ID) which has shown the interconnection of all process equipment together with the instrumentation used to control the process and has been the basis to define and develop the control system for the pilot plant.
Due to the important role that plays the Ethylene in Plants and in order to find a disruptive molecule that releases Ethylene, Bionative is interested in the development of an innovative formulation containing ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid), as active ingredient, of natural origin. Therefore, our investigations have been focused on the synthetic optimization of the ACC, to reduce the production costs, decreasing its selling price, converting the solution into a safety, marketable and competitive product with good results.
Before the market launch, the ACC considered as a Plant Growth Regulator and its formulation must fulfil the EU Regulation EC/1107/2009. In this sense, Bionative has established the bases (Data gap analysis) so ACC as formulation based on ACC and has contacted with the accredited laboratories to perform the analysis and submit the application dossier, once proven its effectiveness in one safe use under the Regulation cited. It will also consider other different regulations that must be met in other targeted regions such as United States, Mexico and Brazil.
In parallel, this project includes the engineering activities to convert the optimized synthetic route of the ACC into a marketable product. It has been defined the equipment, auxiliaries, etc. with well-sized units. The inputs have been created while the laboratory batches of ACC are being completed (mini pilot plant of 20 L), contributing to identify all the keys parameters and variables to control and specifications to be met for the pilot plant production unit. It has been provided the Piping and Instrumentation diagram (P&ID) which has shown the interconnection of all process equipment together with the instrumentation used to control the process and has been the basis to define and develop the control system for the pilot plant.
We have developed the synthesis of ACC starting from Glycine in few steps using simplest structurally and economically accessible reagents. The cyclization step is the key of the process and allows obtaining an ACC derivative in basic conditions with good yield. Finally, the protecting groups removal was carried out in the last step to obtain ACC with good overall yield.
Parallel, we have developed an innovative formulation containing ACC in its sodium or potassium salts as a concentrated solution, an iron(III)-complex, a surfactant and a oxidant. Seven preliminary trials of efficacy of the formulation during the months of October and November in 2018 and October and December in 2019 in Olive trees have been performed. Besides, the formula has been proven in Mango trees var. Tommy in Brazil and in Pecan nuts in Mexico with good results in both cases.
The trials conducted in 2018 did not show significant results for the Upganic treatments, nor for the Ethrel reference ones. This is probably explained by the ambient conditions, with important rain events and high relative humidity in the days after the application and before harvest. In 2019 Upganic treatments were found to be effective in reducing abscission resistance at harvest and thus increasing the proportion of yield harvested by mechanical vibration, in three out of the four trials in each variable. Finally, seven trials conducted in 2020-2021 crop season in Andalusia showed significant results for the Upganic treatments, and for the Ethrel reference ones in reducing abscission resistance at harvest and thus increasing the proportion of yield harvested by mechanical vibration. On Trials 1, 2, 4, 5,6 and 7 Upganic applications increased the mechanical yield efficiency as compared to control treatments, achieving the same (or even higher) values as compared to the registered Ethrel application. When it comes to defoliation effects, there were significant results. Upganic applications did not affect tree defoliation (only Accel at 1 L/ha on Trial 4). However, Ethrel applications negatively affect the tree defoliation on trials 1, 2 and 5; especially on trial 1 where trees were severely affected. Thus, and according to these results, Upganic applications can increase mechanical yield efficiency in olive trees without affecting tree defoliation.
Besides, we have finalized the technical specifications to be followed during the execution of the ACC pilot plant. The equipment and auxiliaries have been defined. Based on these specifications, a preliminary mechanical design with well-sized units has been created. It has been a must to identify all the key parameters and variables to control and specifications to be met for the industrial production unit. Thus, The Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) has been developed which shows the interconnection of all process equipment together with the instrumentation used to control the process. The P&ID has been the basis to define and develop the control system for the pilot plant.
The mini pilot plant that has allowed the optimization of the synthetic route on a semi-pilot scale and obtaining ACC to carry out the field trial tests (October 2020- January 2021).
Bionative for the dissemination and communication has implemented the following course of actions: send the key messages and core values via ACC Video and the Website, social media. Besides, Bionative has developed the Upganic project by implementing an action plan with scheduled activities to contact with stakeholders, with potential markets and clients and send the message to the target audience.
As a result, it will be able to be identified new opportunities to raise the company capital, to negotiate new agreements with suppliers or clients and to have a platform to release new communication campaigns.
Parallel, we have developed an innovative formulation containing ACC in its sodium or potassium salts as a concentrated solution, an iron(III)-complex, a surfactant and a oxidant. Seven preliminary trials of efficacy of the formulation during the months of October and November in 2018 and October and December in 2019 in Olive trees have been performed. Besides, the formula has been proven in Mango trees var. Tommy in Brazil and in Pecan nuts in Mexico with good results in both cases.
The trials conducted in 2018 did not show significant results for the Upganic treatments, nor for the Ethrel reference ones. This is probably explained by the ambient conditions, with important rain events and high relative humidity in the days after the application and before harvest. In 2019 Upganic treatments were found to be effective in reducing abscission resistance at harvest and thus increasing the proportion of yield harvested by mechanical vibration, in three out of the four trials in each variable. Finally, seven trials conducted in 2020-2021 crop season in Andalusia showed significant results for the Upganic treatments, and for the Ethrel reference ones in reducing abscission resistance at harvest and thus increasing the proportion of yield harvested by mechanical vibration. On Trials 1, 2, 4, 5,6 and 7 Upganic applications increased the mechanical yield efficiency as compared to control treatments, achieving the same (or even higher) values as compared to the registered Ethrel application. When it comes to defoliation effects, there were significant results. Upganic applications did not affect tree defoliation (only Accel at 1 L/ha on Trial 4). However, Ethrel applications negatively affect the tree defoliation on trials 1, 2 and 5; especially on trial 1 where trees were severely affected. Thus, and according to these results, Upganic applications can increase mechanical yield efficiency in olive trees without affecting tree defoliation.
Besides, we have finalized the technical specifications to be followed during the execution of the ACC pilot plant. The equipment and auxiliaries have been defined. Based on these specifications, a preliminary mechanical design with well-sized units has been created. It has been a must to identify all the key parameters and variables to control and specifications to be met for the industrial production unit. Thus, The Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) has been developed which shows the interconnection of all process equipment together with the instrumentation used to control the process. The P&ID has been the basis to define and develop the control system for the pilot plant.
The mini pilot plant that has allowed the optimization of the synthetic route on a semi-pilot scale and obtaining ACC to carry out the field trial tests (October 2020- January 2021).
Bionative for the dissemination and communication has implemented the following course of actions: send the key messages and core values via ACC Video and the Website, social media. Besides, Bionative has developed the Upganic project by implementing an action plan with scheduled activities to contact with stakeholders, with potential markets and clients and send the message to the target audience.
As a result, it will be able to be identified new opportunities to raise the company capital, to negotiate new agreements with suppliers or clients and to have a platform to release new communication campaigns.
Bionative has been searching in a molecule for artificial fruit ripening, with the values of natural origin, harmless, new, quickly, uniform, reduces risk, international, biodegradable and eco-friendly. In this sense, Bionative has developed a formulation containing the Ethylene-releaser ACC an amino acid of natural origin whose function as PGR is to reduce the cost of the harvest in a wide number of crops and increase the harvesting yield, among other applications. So, Bionative would have the opportunity to address the problems with Ethephon and other techniques in artificial ripening and bring them to the notice of the scientific and non-scientific communities such as the stakeholders involved in the agronomic field. In this way, the values described for the ACC would be justified, which would imply greater safety in the health of the population and the environment.