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.
