JP2006166802A - Method for producing bean sprout - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cultivation bed for bean sprout hydroponics and a method for producing bean sprouts each facilitating maintenance of cultivation conditions most suitable for growing bean sprouts and enabling easy harvest without spoiling bean sprouts. <P>SOLUTION: This method for producing bean sprouts comprises using for hydroponics cultivation bed, cultivation soil 1 obtained by mixing granular polystyrene foam with a water-retaining material. In the method, bean sprouts are made through sowing seeds 5 on the cultivation soil 1 followed by sprouting and growing the sprouts in a condition of being covered with the cultivation soil until harvest time in the case of performing hydroponics using the cultivation bed. As for the water-retaining material, vermiculite, Ogalite and pearlite are suitably used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cultivation bed for hydroponics, particularly a cultivation bed suitable for hydroponics of sprouted vegetables such as bean sprouts, and a method for producing bean sprouts.

  Germinated vegetables (sprouts) made by germinating seeds are well known, for example, sprouts sprouted with mung beans, soybeans, black mappe, red beans, buckwheat, peanuts, etc., shellfish radish, alfalfa, bean seedlings, etc. Can be mentioned. These germinated vegetables are richer in nutrients such as vitamins than in the seed state and are preferred as healthy ingredients. In addition, in this specification, among the germinated vegetables, other than those that need to be cultivated under light such as shellfish radish, alfalfa, and bean seedling, the process of placing in the dark in the cultivation process is essential and the white long hypocotyl Germinated sprouts with sprouts are called sprouts.

Among the above, peanut bean sprouts are rich in fatty acids such as oleic acid, vitamin B group, etc., and have recently been commercialized as new ingredients with large seeds and thick hypocotyls. As its production method, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a method of growing on a cultivation bed composed of a gelatin layer, or as shown in Patent Document 2 below on a net-like plate or a perforated plate, etc. There has been proposed a method of growing so that the hypocotyl of the seed sowed and placed on a plate extends downward from the mesh or hole.
JP-A-5-76245 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-248065

  However, in any of the methods, it has been difficult to maintain a state in which the moisture content, temperature, and ventilation rate that are optimal for the growth of bean sprouts are maintained. In addition, the method of Patent Document 2 has a problem that it takes time to take out the sprouts from the holes at the time of harvesting, and it is easy to be damaged at that time, resulting in a reduction in the commercial value.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a cultivation bed for hydroponics of bean sprouts that can easily maintain conditions suitable for the growth of bean sprouts and can be easily harvested without damaging the bean sprouts, and a method for producing bean sprouts. .

  As a result of diligent research in view of the above problems, the present inventors thought that it would be difficult to control moisture and temperature in the state where bean sprouts were exposed, and the buds were kept inside a special cultivation bed until harvest time. We found a new production method to grow, and found that it can be easily harvested without damaging sprouts when harvesting from this cultivation bed. Furthermore, in the research process, it discovered that this new cultivation floor could be used conveniently also for hydroponics other than bean sprout cultivation.

  That is, the cultivation bed for hydroponics of the present invention is characterized by using cultivation soil in which granular foamed polystyrene and a water retention material are mixed.

  In addition, the method for producing bean sprouts of the present invention is a method for producing bean sprout by hydroponics, sowing seeds in a cultivation soil in which granular foam polystyrene and a water retaining material are mixed, and germinating seeds until harvest time. Even if it grows in the state where the bud was covered with the soil for cultivation, it is characterized by being sprout.

  According to the cultivation bed for hydroponics of the present invention, it is possible to provide a cultivation bed for hydroponics that can easily maintain a state suitable for plant growth in hydroponics such as moisture, temperature, and air flow. In addition, when the plant is harvested, the soil for cultivation can be easily separated from the plant only by washing with water, and the plant can be harvested without being damaged. Furthermore, since the separated soil for cultivation can be used again for the cultivation floor by washing with water, there is also an effect that no waste material is produced.

  Further, according to the method for producing bean sprouts of the present invention, it is possible to maintain moisture, temperature and aeration suitable for growth, grow until harvested in a light-shielded state, and efficiently harvest without damaging the bean sprouts. Sprouts can be produced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments within the scope of the claims.

  In this invention, the mixture of a granular foam polystyrene and a water retention material is used as soil for cultivation. The granular expanded polystyrene used in the present invention is an expanded polystyrene bead-like material in which the particles are independent and dispersible. There are many fine voids inside each particle, and since it contains air, it is light and excellent in heat retention, but has almost no water absorption. As such a granular foam polystyrene, the granular foam polystyrene used as the raw material processed into a packing material etc. can be used, for example. If the particle size of the granular polystyrene is large, the gap between the particles increases and the air flow rate increases, but the moisture in the soil for cultivation 1 may be excessively reduced. select. For example, in the case of bean sprouts, those having a particle size of 5 mm or less are preferably used, and those having a size of about 2 mm are particularly preferably used. The shape of the expanded polystyrene is not particularly limited, but a spherical one is preferably used in consideration of the air permeability inside the cultivation floor.

  As the water retention material used in the present invention, a material excellent in water absorption and drainage is used. In addition, the water retaining material is preferably a granular material that is soft when it comes into contact with the plant in the water-absorbed state, is easily separated from the plant harvested during water washing, and can be mixed almost uniformly with the granular foamed polystyrene. Used. It is preferable that the particle size is almost the same as that of the granular polystyrene. For example, when cultivated bean sprouts, it is preferably about 2 to 5 mm. It is better not to be too large compared to granular polystyrene. Examples of the material include vermiculite, pearlite, ogarite, and granular water-absorbing resin. Vermiculite is a soft material made of hillstone expanded at high temperature. Furthermore, it is a material excellent in water retention, drainage, and air permeability, and is a sterile material, so it is particularly preferably used among them. Perlite is a porous material made by firing pearlite and the like, and has excellent water retention and breathability. As vermiculite and perlite, for example, those commercially available for horticulture can be used. Ogarite is a wood-based material that is made without additives because it compresses sawdust and is molded into a cylindrical shape, and the lignin originally contained in sawdust serves as an adhesive during molding. Although it is originally a fuel, it can be ground and used as a horticultural material. These water retaining materials can be used in combination.

  The soil for cultivation used in the present invention can adjust the water content, heat retention, and air permeability by changing the mixing ratio of the polystyrene foam and the water retention material, and appropriately adjust these mixing ratios according to the suitable growth conditions of the plant to be cultivated. select. Examples of plants to be cultivated include sprouts such as peanuts and soybeans, other germinated vegetables, and leafy vegetables that can be hydroponically cultivated other than germinated vegetables.

When cultivating bean sprouts, it is preferable that the water retention material is mixed in an amount of about 5 to 50 V / V% with respect to the granular expanded polystyrene. For example, when vermiculite is used as the water retaining material, it is preferably 5 to 25 V / V%. If it is less than 5 V / V%, it is difficult to keep water sufficient for bean sprouts in the soil for cultivation.

  Hereinafter, the cultivation floor of this invention and the manufacturing method of a bean sprout are demonstrated with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 2, the cultivation floor has cultivation soil 1 and a box 2 in which the cultivation soil 1 is placed. The cultivation soil 1 is composed of granular foamed polystyrene 9 and a water retaining material 10 as shown in FIG. 3. The box 2 has a porous structure at least at the bottom 3 thereof, and has a structure that allows the cultivation soil 1 to be held inside and allows water to pass therethrough. Examples of the porous structure include a structure provided with fine holes, a network structure, a slit structure, and the like. This porous structure may be provided not only at the bottom part 3 but also at the side part 4 as long as the condition that the cultivation soil 1 can be held inside the box 3 is satisfied.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom portion 3 may be formed integrally with the side surface portion 4, or may be provided as a separate body so as to be locked inside the box body 2. As an example in the case of providing as a separate body, for example, a structure in which a coarse grid-like bottom plate is integrally formed with the side surface portion 4 at a position corresponding to the bottom portion 3 and a porous plate is placed as the bottom portion 3 thereon, Examples include a structure in which a protrusion is provided on the inner side of the portion 4 and the perforated plate is locked thereto. When the bottom 3 is provided as a separate body, when the particle size of the cultivation soil 1 to be used is changed, the box 2 can be used by appropriately replacing only the bottom 3.

  Moreover, you may arrange | position the box 2 in the pad 7 for the objective of adjusting the moisture content in the soil 1 for cultivation, for example as needed. As the bat 7, a bat having a structure in which a predetermined amount of water 6 is stored and a larger amount is drained is preferably used. As such a structure, for example, a structure in which a drain hole 8 for overflowing the water 6 stored inside the pad 7 is provided at a predetermined position on the side surface of the bat 7 can be cited.

  In FIG. 2, the box 2 is illustrated as having an open top, but a box with a lid may be used if necessary. In that case, the water application method, air permeability, light shielding properties, etc. In view of this, a lid having a structure having holes or a structure having no holes may be appropriately selected.

  As a method of using this cultivated floor, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the granular foamed polystyrene 9 and the water retention material 10 are mixed at a predetermined ratio, and then the cultivating soil 1 is washed with water and simultaneously infiltrated with moisture. After sowing, water application and temperature adjustment are performed according to the growth conditions of the plant sowed. A bactericide such as a hypochlorous acid compound, a fertilizer, and the like can be appropriately mixed with this water.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the bean sprout using the said cultivation bed is demonstrated. The production method of the present invention is applicable to the production of bean sprouts that extend the hypocotyl white by shading, such as soybeans, mung beans, and black mappe, in addition to peanuts. FIG. 1 shows an outline of the process. First, granular polystyrene and a water retention material are mixed at a predetermined ratio to obtain a soil 1 for cultivation, which is washed with water (step 1).

  The cultivation soil 1 is put on the bottom 3 to a thickness of, for example, about 5 to 8 cm, and the surface is smoothed. After the seeds 5 are sown, the cultivation soil 1 is placed on the cultivation soil 1 so as to be thicker than at least the length of the sprouts to be harvested. (Note that the bean sprout length means the combined length of the cotyledon 12 and the hypocotyl 13 with reference to FIG. 6 showing the peanut bean sprout at the time of harvest). Thereby, it grows in the state covered with the soil 1 for cultivation, ie, the state shielded from light, until the germinated buds are harvested as sprouts (step 2). Note that the seeds may be subjected to pretreatment such as sterilization using an aqueous solution of a hypochlorite compound such as sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite before sowing, if necessary.

  After sowing, water is applied to grow seed 5. Water application is performed until the length of the bud 11 grows to a predetermined length, that is, 30 to 70% of the length when harvested as sprouts as shown in FIG. 4 (step 3). Although the water application method is not particularly limited, in consideration of the state of penetration into the cultivation soil 1, as shown in FIG. 2, mist-like water 15 is sprayed from above the box 2 so as to cover the entire surface of the cultivation soil 1. It is preferable. The water 15 is used at a temperature suitable for bud growth, for example, about 25 to 35 ° C. When water having a temperature lower than this is given, the temperature in the cultivation bed becomes temporary even if the temperature is temporary, so that the growth of buds may be hindered. Water application may be performed every 8 hours, that is, about 3 times a day for about 15 minutes. By performing the process separately without applying water for a long time, it not only simply gives water, but also has an effect of supplying air into the cultivation floor and washing the cultivation floor to keep it clean. When water uses a solution containing a bactericide such as a hypochlorous acid compound, for example, a sodium hypochlorite solution of about 0.02 W / V%, the sterilization effect can be enhanced. It is also possible to use a solution in which fertilizer or the like is mixed.

  After the buds have grown to the predetermined length, water is not applied, and the cultivation floor is placed in a room adjusted to a predetermined room temperature and humidity to grow until harvest (step 4). By this step, the moisture content of the cultivation soil 1 can be appropriately reduced, and the sprouts 11 can be prevented from being damaged.

  When the bud 11 grows to a predetermined length, the sprouts are taken out together with the cultivation soil 1 and harvested. For example, there is a method of tilting the box 2 on a water tank filled with water and putting the contents into the water. Since the cultivation soil 1 used in the present invention is lightweight, such work can be easily performed. Next, by washing with water, the bean sprouts are washed, and at the same time, the bean sprouts and the cultivation soil 1 can be easily separated and harvested (steps 5 and 6). The cultivation soil 1 is a light and soft material and can be easily removed without damaging the bean sprout since it is a material that can be separated from the bean sprout just by putting it in water.

  After harvesting, a bean sprouts freshness maintaining process is preferably performed (step 7). For example, the method etc. which dip a bean in the freshness keeping agent solution are mentioned. Preferably, a trehalose solution whose safety has been confirmed as a food additive is used.

  After the freshness holding treatment is performed, bean sprouts are selected (step 8). In addition, in the case of peanut bean sprouts, it is preferable to perform selection after storing in a refrigerator at 6 to 10 ° C. overnight (about 15 hours) after the freshness maintaining treatment. This is because the hypocotyls turn yellow because of this refrigeration treatment, and thus it becomes easier to select. The hypocotyl is white and is appropriately packed in a plastic or paper container (step 9).

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although the Example which applied this invention to the peanut bean sprout is shown and demonstrated in detail, referring FIGS. 1-7, this invention is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, peanut bean sprout consists of cotyledons 12, hypocotyls 13, and roots 14. At harvest, the cotyledons are about 2 cm, the hypocotyls are about 8 to 13 cm, and the total length is about 10 to 15 cm.

Preparation and sowing of cultivation soil: Steps 1 and 2
In this example, vermiculite having a particle diameter of about 2 to 5 mm was used as the water retention material 10. In the following description, the water retaining material 10 may be expressed as vermiculite 10. A box 2 disposed in a vat 7 having a drain hole 8 after washing the cultivation soil 1 mixed with spherical granular polystyrene 9 having a particle diameter of 2 mm and vermiculite 10 at a volume ratio of 15: 1 with tap water. 5-8 cm was placed in the bottom 3 of the net. On top of that, peanut seeds 5 that had been sterilized by immersion in a 50 ppm sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution for 10 seconds were spread, and then the cultivation soil 1 was applied to the seeds 5 to a thickness of about 20 cm.

Bud growth (with water): Step 3
From a spraying device (not shown) arranged on the top of the cultivation bed, 0.02 W / V% sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution was sprayed every 8 hours for 15 minutes each time, and this was continued for 4 days. . After spraying, water penetrates to the bottom of the cultivation bed in about 2 to 3 minutes, sufficient moisture is supplied to the whole cultivation floor, and fresh air can be fed. The water temperature was about 28 ° C., the room temperature in the cultivation room was 28 ° C., and the humidity was 80%. During step 3, the temperature inside the cultivation bed was controlled to be 28 ° C. The germinated shoots are covered with the cultivation soil 1 until they are harvested and grow in a light-shielded state. However, in principle, the step 3 and the following step 4 are preferably performed under light-shielded conditions. When the light hits, the cotyledon 12 opens before the hypocotyl 13 is sufficiently extended, and there is a possibility that the sprouts of the long hypocotyl cannot be obtained.

Breeding (without water application): Step 4
As shown in FIG. 4, the sprout 11 sprouting as shown in FIG. 4 grew to a length of about 4 to 8 cm by combining the cotyledons 12 and the hypocotyl 13. After the completion of step 3, no water was applied, and the plants were grown in a cultivation room at room temperature of 28 ° C. and humidity of 80% for 2 days. Note that step 4 may be extended by about one day depending on the growth of bean sprouts.

Harvesting / washing: Process 5, 6
After the completion of Step 4, the sprouts grown as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 were taken out together with the cultivation soil 1 in the box 2 and washed with tap water and simultaneously separated from the cultivation soil 1 and harvested. Sprout length was about 10-15 cm. The post-harvest root 14 was cut off from the hypocotyl 13 and washed again with tap water.

Freshness preservation processing: Step 7
The rooted bean sprouts were immersed in a 0.2% trehalose aqueous solution for 10 minutes and subjected to a freshness maintaining treatment.

Selection / packing: Processes 8 and 9
After the completion of step 7, the bean sprouts were stored overnight (about 15 hours) in a light-shielded state in a refrigerator at 8 to 10 ° C. Thereafter, the hypocotyl 13 that turned yellow was inferior in quality, and the hypocotyl 13 that did not change color was selected and packed in a plastic container for shipping.

  In this embodiment, a single box 2 is used and placed on the bat 7 to produce a bean sprout. However, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of boxes 2 can be stacked. It is. If it is such an aspect, bean sprouts can be manufactured efficiently even in a small cultivation space.

  Ogarite was used as a water retaining material, and the above step 3 was carried out for 4 days, and the above step 4 was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 for cultivating peanut sprouts. The granularity of the ogarite used was about 2 to 5 mm, and the mixing ratio of the granular expanded polystyrene and ogarite was 5: 1 by volume. Peanut bean sprouts with an average length of 10 cm were obtained.

  The present invention provides a hydroponics cultivation bed that can easily maintain a state suitable for plant growth in hydroponics such as moisture, temperature, and moisture content, and conditions suitable for growth, and can easily maintain bean sprouts. The present invention has industrial applicability in that it can provide a production method that can be efficiently harvested without being damaged.

It is the schematic which shows the process of the manufacturing method of a bean sprout using the cultivation bed of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state sowed in the cultivation floor of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the soil for cultivation in the cultivation floor shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state inside the cultivation bed at the time of the start of the process 4 shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state inside the cultivation bed at the time of the process 5 shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the peanut sprouts at the time of a harvest. It is a side view of the cultivation floor formed by stacking a plurality of boxes 2 shown in the examples.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cultivation soil 2 Box 3 Bottom 5 Seed 9 Granular expanded polystyrene 10 Water retention material 11 Bud 15 Water

Claims (9)

  A cultivation bed for hydroponics using a soil for cultivation in which granular polystyrene is mixed with a water retention material.   The cultivation bed for hydroponics according to claim 1, wherein the particle size of the granular expanded polystyrene is 5 mm or less.   The cultivation bed for hydroponics according to claim 1, wherein the water retaining material is at least one selected from the group consisting of vermiculite, ogarite and perlite.   The cultivation bed for hydroponic cultivation according to claim 1, wherein the water-retaining material contained in the cultivation soil is mixed with 5 to 50 V / V% with respect to the granular expanded polystyrene.   The cultivation bed for hydroponics according to claim 1, wherein the cultivation soil is held inside a box having a porous structure at least at the bottom.   In the method of producing bean sprouts by hydroponics, seeds are sown by seeding in cultivation soil made by mixing granular expanded polystyrene and water retention material, and the shoots are grown in the state that the buds are covered with the cultivation soil until harvest. A method for producing bean sprout, characterized by being sprout.   7. The method according to claim 6, wherein after sowing in the soil for cultivation, water is applied until the length of the bud grows to 30 to 70% of the time of harvesting, and then the seedling is grown without watering until harvesting. Sprout manufacturing method.   7. The method for producing sprouts according to claim 6, wherein the sprouts are harvested by washing the cultivation soil covering the sprouts with water and separating the sprouts from the cultivation soil.   The method for producing bean sprouts according to claim 6, wherein the bean sprouts are peanut bean sprouts.

Images