WO2013144379A1

WO2013144379A1 - Solid components and solid loaded components of seaweed

Info

Publication number: WO2013144379A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/056967
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudy Susilo
Original assignee: Pt Arquus Nusantara
Priority date: 2012-03-29
Filing date: 2013-04-02
Publication date: 2013-10-03
Also published as: DE102012006283A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing solid seaweed products having an extremely high liquid adsorption capacity, in particular for aqueous and oily liquids, the solid seaweed products that can be obtained according to said method, and the use of said seaweed products as absorbers/adsorbers in health products, as fertilizers, cultivation agents, recultivation agents, and water stores, for covering the ground with greenery and/or for improving the soil structure, in particular in agriculture, and for covering dry areas and desert areas with greenery.

Description

Solid ingredients and solid laden ingredients of seaweed

description

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of solid kelp products having an extremely high liquid adsorption capacity especially for aqueous and oily liquids and the solid kelp products obtainable by this process and the use of these kelp products as fertilizers, cultivators, reclamation agents, water storage, for greening and / or for the improvement of the soil structure, in particular in agriculture and the greening of dry and desert areas. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for treating seaweed comprising treating the undried seaweed with an aqueous solution having a pH <8 for at least 10 minutes and then separating the seaweed thus treated into solid and liquid components, and solid components prepared by this process of seaweed, which were optionally loaded with a liquid or solution and then preferably dried again.

In order to improve problematic plant locations and soils, preference is given to using mineral earths in landscaping. In wet and clayey locations with insufficient air, the use of mineral earths should sustainably support the airflow and crumb structure. The plant roots can develop ideally in the loosened soil. On sandy soils, the addition of mineral earth increases the water capacity of the soil. In the process, the mineral earths bind the liquid through their absorption into their porous structures. Thus, the use of mineral earths provides better aeration of the soil, increases the water capacity, improves rooting, optimizes the rewet of the soil and thus promotes the entire soil life.

In general, mineral soils have only a mediocre absorption capacity for liquids. In the case of perlite, this mediocre capacity can be increased by heating at very high temperature (> 900 ° C). By heating the pearlite is inflated (expanded), whereby the water absorption capacity is increased many times. However, this is Process very costly and harmful to the environment, since a high energy consumption is needed. Furthermore, the porous structure of the mineral earth ensures that liquids can be absorbed into these structures, but also the water discharge is relatively rapid again, whereby a longer, delayed release of water is not possible.

In general, mineral minerals such as perlite, bentonite and zeolite belong to the class of soil improvers intended to act on the soil but do not themselves contain essential nutrients. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a product which has both the properties of a soil additive, i. as a cultivating agent or recultivation agent to improve the soil structure and in particular the water absorption capacity of the soil contributes, but also acts as a natural fertilizer and thus promotes soil greening and nutrient input into the soil.

Sea kelp is traditionally harvested from the sea in kelp producing countries such as Indonesia and then dried on land, exposing the kelp to the sun for several weeks in the fresh air. After drying, this leaves only the solid constituents of the seaweed, which are usually used (> 90%) unprocessed directly as starting material in the production of carrageenan. In small quantities, the dried seaweed is further processed into chips by mechanical comminution.

EP 1 534 757 A1 discloses a method for producing gelling carrageenan by treating solid seagrass constituents with strongly alkaline solutions (8% KOH) and heating. The obtained solid components of seaweed serve as raw material for the isolation of carrageenan. A direct reuse of the solid components of kelp, especially as liquid adsorber, is not disclosed. In addition, there is generally no incubation at low pH values.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that solid components of kelp have excellent properties as a storage substrate for liquids or solutions, such as water and / or for the liquid content of kelp or for various solutions of crop protection agents, fertilizers, insecticides, oils, crude oils, oil binders or other substances. The solid components of such dried seaweed, so kelp, which was dried after harvest from the sea and then processed into chips, for example, have no appreciable water absorption capacity and high salt concentrations in particular NaCl and KCl and are therefore not suitable for use as Soil auxiliaries (as these lead to soil salinization), not as a water reservoir or adsorbent and especially not for hygiene articles. At the same time, during the drying step in the sun, the bioactive substances in the seaweed are decomposed by microorganisms or degraded by solar radiation and heat. Carrageenan derived from kelp also has no nutrients or minerals such as would be beneficial to cultivated soils and could be released during biodegradation.

It has now been found that the solid components of undried kelp, i. Seaweed harvested from the sea and not dried, in particular not dried by evaporation, but preferably directly mechanically processed after incubation in aqueous solution at a certain pH and incubation time and incubation temperature, i. Separating the liquid and solid components, drying and processing the solid components e.g. to pellets, have a water absorption capacity many times higher than the solids recovered from dried seaweed. The capacity for

Liquid uptake of the solid constituents can be increased again without incubation step compared to the solid constituents, if the undried kelp is subjected to a treatment with an aqueous solution with a pH <8 for at least 10 minutes prior to mechanical processing. Even more astonishing in this context was the fact that the dried solid constituents from the fresh seaweed also have a higher water absorption capacity compared to all mineral minerals investigated, even exceeding the water absorption capacity of inflated perlite.

This was surprising since the solid constituents of seaweed were not previously known to have a particular water absorption capacity, especially not to the extent shown in the present invention. The binding of the water in the solid components of the seaweed, which were obtained from undried kelp, is probably carried out by the formation of hydrogels. Here, the water probably binds to biopolymers whose molecules are chemically, z. By non-covalent or ionic bonds, or physically, eg by looping of the polymer chains, into a three-dimensional network. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it appears that the solid constituents recovered from dried kelp do not subsequently absorb water to the extent that it does in the solid constituents obtained from undried kelp by the process of the present invention were possible. This could be because the solid structures of the cell walls and the leftover solutes in the dried seaweed interfere with water uptake.

It is therefore important according to the invention that the harvested and optionally washed or optionally cleaned seaweed is not dried, but is further processed in the wet or moist and in any case not dried state, the simplest further processing in the separation of liquid seaweed components (seaweed juice) and solid Seaweed ingredients exists. This separation can be accomplished in the simplest case by pressing or filtration under pressure. The solid kelp ingredients obtained after this separation can then be dried without losing the beneficial properties of water storage or liquid storage or oil adsorbents. In addition, if an incubation step is carried out at a defined pH and a defined temperature and time before separation of the seaweed into solid and liquid constituents, the liquid adsorption capacity can be significantly increased again.

It has thus further been shown that the resorption capacity for liquids of the seaweed according to the invention depends strongly on the pH during the production process. With a pH range <8, the best results were obtained. After treatment at basic pH, lower water absorption capacity was observed. Particularly in the case of strongly alkaline work-up processes with 4% and 8% aqueous KOH solution, as described, for example, in US Pat. can be used for the carrageenan (see EP 1 534 757 A1) can be achieved only significantly poorer water absorption capacity, which are below 400%, compared to the optimal manufacturing method according to the invention, which

Fluid absorption capacity of> 2000% allows. In addition to the pH, however, the incubation period has an influence on the absorption capacity obtained. The higher the pH, the longer the incubation time has to be. This is an important context for a large-scale process, such as the production of water absorbers from seaweed, since no manufacturer would like to carry out processes longer than absolutely necessary for reasons of cost. With regard to the preparation process for the solid constituents of seaweed according to the invention, a surprising relationship between pH and incubation time was found, which will be described in detail below.

The present invention therefore relates to a process for the treatment of seaweed, the process comprising the following steps:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) at least 10 minutes treatment of the undried kelp with an aqueous solution having a pH <8,

3) Separation of the incubated seaweed into solid components and liquid components.

The method according to the invention is based on the most accurate possible control of the pH value and the incubation time. Surprisingly, it was found that with increasing pH, the incubation time must be extended disproportionately.

The incubation period is according to the invention at least 10 minutes, preferably at least 15 minutes, more preferably at least 17 minutes, even more preferably at least 20 minutes, and most preferably at least 24 minutes. The maximum incubation period can be several hours, whereby it should be taken into account that the method according to the invention will find almost exclusively large-scale application and therefore the incubation period should be as optimal as possible and should not be incubated any longer than necessary. Therefore, the maximum incubation time may be 24 hours or more, but significantly shorter incubation times of up to 360 minutes are preferred and more preferred are up to 300 minutes, more preferably up to 240 minutes, even more preferably up to 180 minutes, still further preferably up to 120 minutes, and more preferably up to 60 minutes. Therefore, it is preferred if the treatment or incubation at the temperatures and pHs disclosed herein are between 10 and 180 minutes, more preferably between 15 and 120 minutes, even more preferably between 17 and 80 minutes, even further preferably between 19 and 60 minutes, even more preferably between 20 and 60 minutes and especially preferably between 20 and 50 minutes or between 22 and 50 minutes or between 22 and 40 minutes or between 24 and 50 minutes or between 24 and 40 minutes. At less than 10 minutes, increasing the absorption capacity for liquids is insufficient, even at very low pH levels. Therefore, the incubation period should in any case be at least 10 minutes and preferably at least 15 minutes.

It is very important for the process according to the invention that the harvested kelp is not dried before the incubation step and is not partially dried. The kelp should not change its water content before the incubation step. The incubation can be carried out with fresh water as well as with salt water or a mixture of fresh water and salt water. The seawater where the kelp is harvested has a pH between 7.6 and 8.4, so acid must be added to set the desired pH when using salt water.

The pH is according to the invention <8.0, preferably <7.5, more preferably <7.0, more preferably <6.5, more preferably <6.0 and even more preferably <5.5. In addition, the pH should be above 1, 0 (pH> 1, 0) and preferably> 1, 5, more preferably> 2.0, even more preferably> 2.5 and particularly preferably> 3.0.

Since it is preferably a large-scale processing method of kelp or large-scale production process of highly absorbable solid kelp constituents, which is to be carried out on a scale of thousands of tons per year and plant, it is very important to find process parameters that are very economical, as little as possible Consuming energy and polluting the environment as little as possible and are industrially feasible.

It has surprisingly been found that the inventive preferably large-scale process under defined conditions can be carried out very inexpensively and solid kelp ingredients with high resorption capacity for liquids, with slightly increased costs leads to solid kelp constituents with very high resorption capacity for liquids and at moderate increased costs to solid Kelp constituents with excellent resorption capacity for liquids. For the selection of the optimal process parameters, in particular during the essential incubation step, a non-linear dependence between incubation time and pH as well as incubation temperature was surprisingly found. The non-linear relationship between pH and incubation time is given by the following formula:

(9-pH) x incubation time in minutes x 16.7> 2000 minutes where the pH is between 1.0 and 8.0, i. 1, 0 <pH <8.0.

If the product of (9 - pH) and incubation time in minutes multiplied by 16.7 x minutes ^{"1 is} greater than or equal to 1 .800 or between 1 .800 and 1 .900, results in a high absorption capacity for liquids If this product is at or above 1,900 or between 1,900 and 2,000, a very high absorption capacity for liquids of the solid constituents of seaweed produced according to the invention results, if this product is above or at 2,000 an excellent absorption capacity for liquids of the solid constituents of kelp produced according to the invention.

Using the above formula, the incubation time for solid kelp ingredients with excellent resorption capacity (i.e.,> 2000%) can be calculated, if the pH is known, or if the incubation time is known, the pH required for the incubation step can be determined. This is particularly advantageous in large-scale processes, so that the most economical process parameters can be selected.

If one wishes to achieve an excellent absorption capacity (i.e.,> 2000), the following incubation times result at the following pH values: pH = 8 => incubation time = 120 minutes

pH = 7 => incubation time = 60 minutes

pH = 6 => incubation time = 40 minutes

pH = 5 => incubation time = 30 minutes

pH = 4 => incubation time = 24 minutes

pH = 3 => incubation time = 20 minutes

pH = 2 => incubation time = 17 minutes

pH = 1 => incubation time = 15 minutes Furthermore, it is preferred that the pH of the aqueous incubation solution, ie the pH during the incubation step is between 1, 0 and 8.0, ie 1, 0 <pH <8.0, more preferably between 2.0 and 7.5, ie 2.0 <pH <7.5, more preferably between 3.0 and 7.0, ie 3.0 <pH <7.0, even more preferably between 3.0 and 6.5, ie 3.0 <pH <6.5, even more preferably between 3.0 and 6.0, ie 3.0 <pH <6.0, even more preferably between 3.5 and 6.5, ie 3.5 < pH <6.5, even more preferably between 3.5 and 6.0, ie 3.5 <pH <6.0 and more preferably between 3.5 and 5.5, ie 3.5 <pH <5.5 , In order to keep the pH as constant as possible during the incubation step, the pH is monitored continuously or sequentially during the incubation and by adding base (KOH solution, preferably 1 molar KOH solution) or acid (HCl solution, preferably 1 M HCl solution) readjusted. The pH monitoring or pH measurement can be carried out continuously or sequentially after, for example, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s, 30 s, 40 s, 50 s or 60 s. Preferably, in the case of a deviation from the desired pH value by more than 0.1, a readjustment of the pH takes place by addition of an aqueous solution of preferably KOH or HCl. A pH below 3.0 is less suitable for large-scale production of the components of the seaweed obtainable according to the invention, since at very low pH values the corresponding safety precautions (for the protection of workers and the environment) become more and more complicated. In addition, with decreasing pH value, the positive effect, for example on soils, of the constituents of the seaweed according to the invention is increasingly lowered by bioactive substances in seaweed. Since longer incubation times are also associated with significantly higher costs, it is therefore important for a large-scale process for processing seaweed that the pH value and the incubation time are precisely matched to one another in order to obtain an optimal liquid retention capacity with a cost-optimized method.

Surprisingly, the inventor was able to show that, starting from a pH of 8.0 during the incubation, there is an increase in the liquid adsorption capacity, which requires a shorter incubation period as the pH falls. This means that the lower the pH, the shorter the incubation time and thus the treatment time can be. It is therefore particularly preferred if, in step 2) of the method according to the invention, the duration of the treatment and the pH are selected according to the following formula: (9-pH) x incubation time in minutes x 16.7 / (100 minutes)> 2000% wherein the pH is in the range of 1.0 to 8.0 and the incubation time is in the range of 15 minutes to 120 minutes and the incubation temperature is in the range of 15 ° C to 60 ° C.

In step 2 of the process according to the invention, the weight ratio of kelp to aqueous solution is preferably between 1: 3 and 1: 7 and particularly preferably about 1: 5. In the preferred method according to the invention, the working temperature is between 15 ° C and 60 ° C for the entire work-up process, and preferably between 20 ° C and 50 ° C, more preferably between 22 ° C and 40 ° C and most preferably between 25 ° C and 35 ° C for the entire refurbishment process.

The incubation step is preferably carried out at a temperature between 15 ° C and 60 ° C, more preferably between 18 ° C and 55 ° C, more preferably between 20 ° C and 50 ° C, even more preferably between 21 ° C and 45 ° C preferably between 22 ° C and 40 ° C, more preferably between 23 ° C and 38 ° C, more preferably between 24 ° C and 36 ° C and most preferably carried out between 25 ° C and 35 ° C. However, it is preferred if the incubation temperature is not higher than 58 ° C, more preferably not higher than 56 ° C, further preferably not higher than 54 ° C, further preferably not higher than 52 ° C, further preferably not higher than 50 ° C, further preferably not higher than 50 ° C 48 ° C, and more preferably not above 46 ° C.

The incubation temperature is somewhat related to the incubation period. No linear relationship between incubation temperature and incubation time was found but roughly it can be said that starting from 30 ° C incubation temperature the incubation time is shortened by 5% to 10%, if the incubation temperature is increased by 10 ° C and the incubation time by 5% extended to 10% when the incubation temperature is lowered by 10 ° C, with incubation temperature and incubation time moving within the ranges disclosed herein, ie for the incubation temperature maximally 60 ° C and minimal 15 ° C and for the incubation period a maximum of 2h and a minimum of 10 minutes or preferably a maximum of 60 minutes and a minimum of 15 minutes.

Preferred conditions for the incubation step # 2) according to the above method are a pH in the range of 1.0 to 8.0 and an incubation time of 15 minutes to 120 minutes and an incubation temperature of 15 ° C to 60 ° C. Preferred incubation conditions are a pH in the range of 3.0 to 7.0 and an incubation period of 20 minutes to 60 minutes and an incubation temperature of 20 ° C to 50 ° C. Further preferred incubation conditions are a pH in the range of 3.0 to 6.0 and an incubation period of 20 minutes to 40 minutes and an incubation temperature of 22 ° C to 40 ° C. It should be noted that a higher pH value requires a longer incubation period and the incubation period can be shortened slightly by increasing the incubation temperature. One skilled in the art can therefore choose the most suitable ones for the particular plant from the preferred process parameters, as the process parameters can be modified within certain limits and continue to provide solid kelp ingredients with excellent liquid adsorption capacity. An at least 2000% absorption capacity can be achieved by a pH of 5 and 30 minutes incubation at 28 ° C, as well as by pH of 4 and 25 minutes incubation at 25 ° C and by pH of 6 and 40 minutes incubation at 35 ° C and by pH of 3 and 20 minutes incubation at 30 ° C.

A preferred method for processing seaweed according to the invention comprises the following steps:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) incubating the undried seaweed with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 1.0 to 8.0 at an incubation temperature in the range of 15 ° C to 60 ° C and an incubation period of 15 minutes to 120 minutes,

A further preferred process according to the invention for processing seaweed comprises the following steps:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) Incubation of the undried seaweed with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 1.0 to 8.0 at one Incubation temperature in the range of 15 ° C to 60 ° C and an incubation period of 15 minutes to 120 minutes with continuous or sequential measurement of the pH and readjustment of the pH,

3) Separation of the incubated seaweed into solid components and liquid

Ingredients.

Another preferred process for processing seaweed according to the invention comprises the following steps:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) incubating the undried seaweed with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 3.0 to 7.0 at an incubation temperature in the range of 20 ° C to 50 ° C and an incubation period of 20 minutes to 60 minutes,

3) Separation of the incubated seaweed into solid components and liquid

Ingredients.

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) Incubation of the undried seaweed with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 3.0 to 7.0 at an incubation temperature in the range of 20 ° C to 50 ° C and an incubation period of 20 minutes to 60 minutes with continuous or sequential measurement the pH and readjustment of the pH,

3) Separation of the incubated seaweed into solid components and liquid components. Yet another preferred sea kelp preparation method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) incubation of the undried seaweed with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 3.0 to 6.0 at an incubation temperature in the range of 22 ° C to 40 ° C and a

Incubation period from 20 minutes to 40 minutes,

3) Separation of the incubated seaweed into solid components and liquid components. A still further preferred process for the treatment of seaweed comprises the following steps:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) Incubation of the undried seaweed with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 3.0 to 6.0 at an incubation temperature in the range of 22 ° C to 40 ° C and an incubation period of 20 minutes to 40 minutes with continuous or sequential measurement the pH and readjustment of the pH,

According to step 2) of the aforementioned preferred methods, the measurement and readjustment of the pH is as disclosed herein. The pH measurement is carried out continuously or at intervals of a maximum of one minute and the readjustment is preferably carried out by means of aqueous KOH solution or aqueous HCl solution of a concentration of preferably 1 M or 0.5 M. In the aforementioned method according to the invention that the incubation period The higher the pH, the longer the incubation time, the longer the pH and the lower the incubation temperature. The present invention also provides components of seaweed obtainable by one of the processes according to the invention, in particular the solid constituents of seaweed, which are obtainable by the processes described here. These components have a greatly increased liquid absorption capacity over the constituents obtained by evaporation or workup under clearly basic conditions (such as 4% KOH solution or 8% KOH solution).

The seaweed solid constituents have a water content of from 50% to 70% by weight after separation from the liquid components of the seaweed, and after drying the seaweed solids still have a water content of 15% by weight. to 40% by weight. These dried seaweed solid components of the present invention can be prepared in the form of granules, pellets, granules, sticks, mats or fabrics, and have an enormous binding capacity for liquids such as water or aqueous solutions, as well as oils ranging from 2-fold to over 20 times its own weight, ie 100 g of these solid constituents of the seaweed can, depending on the state of drying, take up 200 g to more than 2000 g of water, aqueous solutions or oil.

The wicking capacity or binding capacity of liquids such as water or oils can be determined according to known methods such as e.g. by means of the gravimetric method.

Compared to the water binding in mineral earths, which absorb the water only physically in the porous structures, the formation of hydrogels is further advantageous because the release of water from such hydrogels is slower than from the porous structures and thus the water can be stored longer than in the Mineral earth and thus over a longer period of time again. This is e.g. important for greening of dry areas and dry zones, because the solid components of seaweed store the dew in the morning hours and release it over a period of time extended to mineral earth during the hot lunchtime and afternoon time. After sustained release of water and other stored plant-important substances such as e.g. Plant growth factors, minerals and other nutritive substances eventually biodegrade the solid components of seaweed, releasing the minerals and nutrients it contains. Thus, a permanent fertilization is no longer necessary. At the same time, the solid components of seaweed fulfill the same functions as mineral earths, e.g. Perlite, in which they contribute to better aeration of the soil, an increased water capacity, an improvement in rooting, the optimization of the rewet of the soil and thus the entire soil life.

Thus, the invention relates to the solid constituents of the kelp produced according to the invention and to their use as fertilizers or cultivators or recultivation agents or agents for storing water or for planting dry and desert areas, the solid constituents of the kelp being prepared by one of the methods disclosed herein. Sea kelp is commonly referred to as any of the sea floor life forms that are multicellular thalli. Seaweed is found among the green algae, red algae and brown algae. Seaweed has high levels of minerals, potassium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus and plant growth factors such as the indole acetic acid derivatives.

Of particular commercial importance for the production of kelp products are the following kelp species, in particular Eucheuma, chondrus and gigartina species such as: Betaphycus gelatinum (Eucheuma gelatinae), Chondrus crispus (Irish moss), Eucheuma cottonii (Kappaphycus alvarezii or cottoniij , Eucheuma denticulatum (Eucheuma spinosum or spinosum), Gigartina canaliculata, Gigartina skottsbergii, Mastocarpus stellatus (Gigartina stellata), Hypnea musciformis, Sarcothalia crispata (Iridaea ciliata) and Mazzaella laminaroides (Iridaea laminaroides) For the purposes of this invention, Kappaphycus alvarezii is particularly suitable.

The term "fertilizer" as used herein refers to any material that is delivered to plants to promote their growth.

The term "cultivating agent" or "recultivation agent" as used herein refers to any material that enhances the biological, physical or chemical soil condition or effectiveness of fertilizers. "Soil Improvement" as used herein encompasses any effect that improves the soil and air balance, root penetration and / or nutrient availability in the soil.

The term "adsorbent" as used herein refers to a substance capable of absorbing and holding a liquid or oil.

Preferably, the freshly harvested kelp is processed directly after harvesting and undried. The term "undried" as used herein refers to the fact that the seaweed is not subjected to a drying step after harvest from the sea, in particular to any drying step by evaporation, which means that the water content in the freshly harvested kelp is not reduced, eg by drying in the air, in sunlight, by heating or by storing too much of the seaweed 5 has a water content of about 90 weight percent (wt%). Although the seaweed is processed as quickly as possible, naturally it comes from the sea after harvesting the seaweed and through transport to losses in the water content of the seaweed. Thus, the term "undried" is defined to mean that the kelp still has a water content of> 75% by weight of water The water content is the amount of water in the seaweed based on its mass % of the mass of kelp is water and 15% of the mass of kelp are substances that are not water The water content in kelp can be detected by known methods, such as the gravimetric method.

The term "dried" as used herein means that kelp is dried after harvesting and optionally washing or cleaning (preferably salt water cleaning). This drying is traditionally done in the air in sunlight. This drying is carried out without first separating into liquid and solid kelp constituents. Therefore, the seaweed which has been traditionally dried after harvesting without separation (especially without mechanical separation processes) into liquid and solid components is called "dried seaweed". This definition does not exclude that, of course, the sea kelp according to the invention and the kelp loaded according to the invention can also be dried. Should therefore be expressed that the sea kelp according to the invention and the seaweed loaded according to the invention is in dry form, this kelp is of course also referred to as dried, but it is important that this kelp was not dried after harvesting but first undried in liquid and solid ingredients was separated.

Thus, as used herein, the term "undried" means that the kelp harvested from the sea may be washed and drained and then separated into liquid and solid components preferably by cutting and then pressing. A shredding of the undried kelp and subsequent filtration is also possible. Undried is therefore the kelp, which is not deprived of water by drying, or evaporation, after harvesting, ie seaweed is then undried when the water content is not more than 15 wt .-%, preferably not more than 10 wt. - reduced% between harvesting and separating into liquid and solid components. The term "liquid constituents of seaweed" denotes those constituents which are in liquid form or as juice by the process according to the invention, in particular by the mechanical treatment of the seaweed in step 3, preferably by cutting and pressing of the freshly harvested and optionally washed and optionally drained Seaweed can be obtained.

Accordingly, the term "solid constituents of seaweed" refers to those constituents which are obtained in solid form by the process according to the invention. These solid components are not dry immediately after their recovery and can be dried.

After harvesting, the seaweed is preferably drained but not allowed to dry; moreover, the seaweed is optionally washed with seawater after harvest, e.g. Dirt, sand and other gross impurities are eliminated, and then further processed directly in the wet or wet state. Between harvesting and further processing, the loss of water in undried kelp is less than 15% by weight and preferably less than 10% by weight. The otherwise usual drying in air is eliminated, whereby the bacteria formation and fungal formation is significantly minimized, which in turn has a positive effect on the preservation of the bioactive substances in the kelp.

Step 3 of the process according to the invention, ie the separation of the solid and liquid constituents and the further processing of the solid constituents into a free-flowing product, can be carried out by known processes, e.g. 1) comminution processes (e.g., granulator, Muser, Hexler), 2) dewatering process (centrifuge, hydraulic, mechanical or belt press). The products thus obtained may be in the form of pellets, granules or granules. The term "solid ingredients" describes the kelp ingredients remaining after processing, i.e. after hydraulic or mechanical pressing or processing in a belt press or centrifuge.

Thus, the term "seaweed solids" as used herein includes all forms such as processing into pellets, granules, mats, wovens, packages, etc. 7

The term "liquid constituents" thus describes analogously to the solid

Ingredients the liquid kelp ingredients that go through

Drainage processes are obtained from the kelp. These correspond to the juice of seaweed.

In a further embodiment, the method according to the invention after step 3) further comprises the following step:

3a) The processing of seaweed solids into free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or mats, packages or tissues.

As "mats" are surface containers of the solid constituents of the seaweed, and in particular from the inventively produced constituents of the seaweed, referred to, which may be one to several centimeters thick, similar to the known grass mats or turf. These mats can be used to cover larger areas. Through these mats plants can be planted in the soil, which are supplied with water by the ability of the mats to store water from the solid components of the kelp.

By "pack" are meant three-dimensional larger webs of the solid laden components of the seaweed, and in particular of the ingredients of the seaweed produced according to the invention, e.g. Pour flower pots or place them around the roots of newly planted shrubs and trees.

In addition, these mats or containers can be used to bind oil because the solid laden components of seaweed not only have a very good absorption capacity for aqueous solutions or liquids but also absorb and bind oils very well. Therefore, the use of these mats and containers for cleaning oil-contaminated areas offers.

In this connection, it was completely surprising and not to be expected for the skilled worker that the solid constituents of seaweed produced according to the invention can take up many times their own weight of water, solutions or the liquid constituents of the seaweed. The solid laden components of the seaweed according to the invention can be up to 4 times, preferably up to 5 times, more preferably up to 6 times, more preferably up to 7 times, more preferably up to 8 times, further preferably up to 9 times, and even more preferably up to 1 (making one's own Take up weight (ie own mass) of water or aqueous solution.

The uptake capacity is the amount of liquid or solution that is taken up to complete saturation. The comparison of the absorption capacity is carried out by determining the weight before recording and after recording. The absorption capacity in the sense of the description is thus defined as the amount of liquid or solution in g, which was taken up by the solid components of kelp or another substance to be compared within a defined time at room temperature, based on the weight before recording the liquid or solution. According to the present working method, the products usually have a residual moisture of about 15-25 wt .-%, whereby they preferably do not stick to each other and are therefore free-flowing. As a result, the handling and transport of solid seaweed ingredients according to the invention are substantially simplified. Storage of the product also requires significantly less space. "Ripened" in this context means that the kelp products (e.g., pellets) do not form clumps and stick together and therefore may be dumped.

As is apparent from Table 1, the solid ingredients of the kelp invention still contain all valuable bioactive substances, such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and plant growth factors from the seaweed in the finished free-flowing granules, pellets or mats or tissues. Add to this the immense water absorption capacity, which is more than 2000% of your own weight. The invention thus discloses the use of a highly concentrated, natural water-storing fertilizer substrate which releases the bioactive substances slowly and over a long period of time. Continuous watering and fertilization is therefore no longer necessary as the solid components of kelp release water and nutrients slowly and over a longer period of time. Tab. 1 The use of seaweed solid components as a soil regenerator compared to the products available on the market

++++: very high

+++: high

++: mediocre

+: little

-: very bad or absent

Table 1 shows that the water retention capacity of a synthetic superabsorbent polymer is the same as in the seaweed prepared according to the invention, which polymers are more environmentally harmful to manufacture, are almost non-biodegradable, and contain no nutrients.

The water retention capacity is defined as the capacity of a given substance (0.5 g) to absorb water at room temperature (24 ° C) for a defined period of time (10 minutes). The mineral rocks have only a higher mineral content and otherwise perform worse than the undried seaweed according to the invention, wherein By loading the mineral content of the seaweed laden according to the invention can be increased as desired and therefore can easily exceed the mineral content of the mineral rock. In addition, the important biological plant growth factors are missing in the mineral rocks.

In this context, a further aspect of the invention has emerged. It has been shown that the solid components of seaweed can be repeatedly loaded with liquid or solution and dried, without losing their superior properties as a storage substrate. By repeatedly loading the already very nutrient-rich, solid components of seaweed are further "refined".

Thus, the method according to the invention for processing seaweed in a further embodiment after step 3) or step 3a) comprises the further steps:

4) loading the kelp solids with the liquid components of kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a plant protection product or with a solution of an insect repellent or with a solution of a toxin protection agent or with a solution of a radioactive substance protection agent or radioactive radiation or with a solution of a binder for oil or with a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforesaid agents,

5) drying the solid laden components of seaweed. or

Drying the seaweed solid components and loading the seaweed solid dried components with the liquid components of the kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a plant protection product or with a solution of an insect repellent or with a solution of a toxin or solution solution a radioactive substance or radioactive radiation protection agent or a solution of a binder for oil or a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforesaid agents,

Drying the solid laden components of seaweed. In a further embodiment, the process according to the invention for processing seaweed after step 5) comprises the further step 6):

6) One or more repetitions of steps 4) and 5).

In a further embodiment, the method according to the invention for processing seaweed after step 4) comprises the further step 4a):

4a) processing of the solid laden components of seaweed into free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or to mats or fabrics.

In this embodiment, the kelp solids are first mixed with the liquid components of kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a plant protection product or with a solution of an insect repellent or with a solution of a toxin protection agent or with a solution of a radioactive protection agent Loading substances or radioactive radiation with a solution of a binder for oil or with a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforementioned agents and then processed the loaded solid components of seaweed into free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or mats or fabrics. It is also preferred if, during the incubation in step 2 of the method according to the invention, a continuous pH measurement and corresponding readjustment of the pH takes place. The pH of a solution can be determined by various methods known to the person skilled in the art, such as potentiometry or measurement by ion-sensitive field-effect transistors. The term "continuous measurement" as used herein is understood to mean either that the pH of the incubation tank is continuously controlled and if it deviates by a preset threshold value (eg, a deviation of 0.2 or 0.1 or The overshoot of the threshold may be checked by an operator or indicated by a warning signal, but the term "continuous measurement" as used herein is also preferred at short intervals, such as every 30 seconds every 20 seconds and even more preferably every 10 seconds, measurements made (directly in the incubation solution or in taken from them), which are carried out over the entire incubation period. Of course, the desired pH value is readjusted if necessary. Depending on the type of deviation, the pH can be restored immediately by adding an acid, eg aqueous HCl or a base, eg aqueous NaOH. It is also conceivable that the intervals are shorter at the beginning of the incubation period and slightly longer toward the end, since then fewer changes are expected. However, it should be ensured that a nearly constant pH is maintained throughout the incubation period.

In a preferred embodiment, the solid components of seaweed, which are e.g. according to the aforementioned method comprising the steps 1) to 4) were obtained, loaded with active ingredients, protective substances or other nutrients to achieve a further protective or promoting effect. The unexpected excellent storage capacity for water or liquids and / or solutions in general, as well as the nutrients already contained in the solid components of seaweed make the solid laden components of seaweed a very good fertilizer and cultivator or recultivation agent because these solid constituents in dry zones additionally absorb the dew and delayed over the day to the environment and the fertilizer to be fertilized or cultivated plants again and provide the degradation products of the solid laden components of seaweed nutrients for fertilizing or cultivating plants.

By loading the solid components of seaweed e.g. with plant protection products or with a solution of an insect repellent or with a solution of a protective agent against toxins or similar agents, the solid laden components of the seaweed simultaneously perform several functions. In addition to the property of fertilizer, soil conditioner and water absorber, the targeted selection of solutions can achieve further positive effects. Crucial here is the high absorption capacity of the invention, solid laden components of seaweed, which makes it possible to get large amounts of additives in the kelp.

The "loading" of the solid constituents of seaweed can be achieved in various ways, for example, the solid components of seaweed can be dipped into the liquid or solution. Of course, it is possible to load the solid components of seaweed with different liquids or solutions. This can be achieved, for example, by loading and drying the solid constituents with the first solution or liquid and, in a further step, loading them with a second solution or liquid and drying them. Alternatively, the solid components of the seaweed may also be loaded with a mixture of the liquids or solutions to be loaded. Furthermore, the invention also encompasses the solid laden components of seaweed obtained by the following method, comprising or consisting of the following steps:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) Incubation of the undried seaweed with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 3.0 to 7.0, preferably 3.0 to 6.0 and an incubation period in the range of 20 minutes to 60 minutes, preferably in the range of 20 minutes to 40 minutes and an incubation temperature in the range of 20 ° C to 50 ° C,

3) Separation of the treated seaweed into solid components and liquid

Ingredients.

5) drying the solid laden components of seaweed.

In a further embodiment, the method for producing the solid laden components of the seaweed according to the invention further comprises the following step:

6) One or more repetitions of steps 4) and 5).

One embodiment of the present invention are solid laden kelp ingredients obtainable according to one of the invention A method, having a residual water content of less than 40 wt .-%, wherein the solid components of kelp with the liquid components of kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a pesticide or with a solution of insect repellent or with a solution of a protective agent are loaded against toxins or with a solution of radioactive or radioactive radiation protection agent or with a solution of a binding agent for oil or with a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforesaid agents. It is further preferred if these solid components are dried.

A further aspect of the invention are solid seaweed solids prepared according to the invention, in combination with one or more substances selected from the group consisting of lava rocks, mineral rocks, zeolite, kaolin, bentonite, perlite, expanded perlite and / or synthetic polyacrylates such as sodium polyacrylate.

The solid components (loaded and unloaded) of seaweed obtainable by one of the methods of the invention are very well suited for use as fertilizers or cultivators or recultivation agents. The use of these solid laden components of seaweed as fertilizers or cultivating or recultivation is preferably carried out in agriculture, horticulture, in dry areas and deserts and in areas affected by environmental disasters. They are characterized by the fact that unlike carrageenans they both have a surprisingly good water retention capacity and also contain important nutrients and minerals for plants. The water is compared with

Mineral rocks released over a longer period of time. In addition, the solid components of kelp are characterized by a good biodegradability. Thus, the seaweed solid laden components of the present invention provide a wide range of uses, ranging from agricultural fertilizer use, to the cultivation of dry zones and desert areas and use as water reservoirs, to the recultivation of decontaminated areas by e.g. Oil, chemicals or radioactive materials are enough.

By "repeated loading" is meant that the seaweed is loaded with a liquid or solution, and then dried again.This process can be repeated several times. 5

Solution-containing substances, nutrients, minerals, substances, active agents, chemicals, etc., remain in the solid components of seaweed after drying. If desired, the product may be dried under an infrared device or in an oven. This step of drying and loading can be repeated as often as desired.

Furthermore, it has been shown that the storage capacity of the solid laden components of the seaweed does not decrease significantly even after repeated loading. Once the solid laden components of the seaweed have been distributed in the soil, they can be completely soaked again by simply irrigating. Furthermore, the leachate formation and the associated nutrient leaching is reduced. In the medium to long term, the solid laden components of seaweed are degraded in the soil and thus leave no unwanted residual products.

It is known that the liquid portion of seaweed contains useful minerals and growth hormones (indole-acetic acid derivatives) for the growth of plants (Zodape et al., International Journal of Plant Production, 3, April 2009, 1735). Thus, there is great interest in using both the solid components of seaweed and the liquid portion of seaweed as fertilizer.

Preferably, therefore, the solid components of the kelp are soaked in the liquid components obtained in step 3) of the process. This process can be repeated as often as desired, which means that the solid laden components can absorb a multiple of bioactive substances.

Experiments have shown that, compared to a pure fertilization with the liquid constituents of the seaweed, the one-time treatment of the soil with the solid laden components of the seaweed (loaded with the liquid constituents of the seaweed) according to the invention leads to an increased plant growth. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the delayed release of the bioactive species from the solid laden components of the seaweed is responsible for this effect. In addition to the nutrients that have been applied by loading to the solid components of seaweed, the solid ones contain Ingredients of the kelp itself Nutrients, which are released by way of degradation of the solid components to the environment or to the ground.

Thus, the solid laden components of the seaweed according to the invention combine the properties of a water reservoir and Bodenhilfsstoffs with the properties of seaweed as fertilizer. The solid laden components of seaweed can thus be used e.g. used in agriculture as a water reservoir, soil conditioner, soil loosening and also as a natural fertilizer.

In a further embodiment, the method according to the invention for processing seaweed comprises the further step:

3a) processing of seaweed solids into free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or mats,

Containers or tissues.

In this embodiment, the solid components of kelp are processed directly into free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or mats or fabrics, which then only in the subsequent step with the liquid components of kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a pesticide or with a solution of an insect repellent or with a solution of a protective agent against toxins or with a solution of a radioactive material protection agent or radioactive radiation with a solution of a binder for oil or with a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforementioned agents.

In a further embodiment, the process by which the solid laden components of the seaweed according to the invention are obtained comprises the further step:

In this embodiment, the solid components of kelp are first mixed with the liquid components of kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a plant protection product or with a solution 7 of an insect repellent or with a solution of a toxin protection agent or with a solution of radioactive or radioactive protection agent with a solution of a binder for oil or with a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforesaid agents and then the loaded solid components of the Seaweed to free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or processed into mats or fabrics.

In a preferred embodiment, the solid laden components of the kelp are kelp kappaphycus alvarezii.

In a preferred embodiment, the process for processing seaweed comprises the following steps: 1) recovering seaweed from the sea,

3) separation of undried seaweed into solid ingredients and liquid ingredients,

3a) (Optional) processing of seaweed solids into granules, free-flowing pellets or dispersible components or mats, packages or tissues.

4a) (Optional) The processing of seaweed solids into granules, free-flowing pellets or dispersible components or mats or fabrics. Thus, there is a process comprising the steps 1), 2), 3), 4) and 4a), where the loading is carried out before processing the solid components of the seaweed into free-flowing pellets or spreadable components or to mats or fabrics. The solid laden components of seaweed are preferably dried before further processing into granules pellets, grit, mats or tissue takes place. In the process with the steps 1), 2), 3), 3a), the loading takes place after processing to pellets, grit, mats or fabric. If a further step is described herein, this step follows either the step of the previous number or the same number without letters if the step is numbered a and a. Thus, step 5) follows step 4) or 4a) and step 3a) follows step 3) and step 4a) follows step 4).

A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of solid components of seaweed prepared according to one of the methods of the invention as a means for storing water or as a liquid absorber. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of solid components of seaweed prepared according to one of the inventive method as water storage for soil greening and / or improvement of the soil structure, as oil adsorbents or as liquid absorbers in health products and hygiene articles such as baby diapers, incontinence and feminine hygiene products, in Dressing material, handkerchiefs, kitchen towels, in so-called gel beds or as gel-forming extinguishing agents in firefighting.

Here, the sea kelp ingredients of the invention, as well as the solid laden kelp ingredients of the present invention, may generally be a partial or even total substitute for the currently used polymeric superabsorbents (such as sodium polyacrylate), which have the disadvantage that they are not or only very poorly biodegradable.

By the term "liquid" is meant any matter in the liquid state and thus corresponds to the general understanding of the term "liquid." According to the invention, the solid components of seaweed can serve as an absorber or storage substance for any liquid or be impregnated with any liquid, this is not limited only on water, but In particular, liquid fertilizer of any kind, solutions of a plant protection product or solutions of an insect repellent or solutions of a protective agent against toxins or solutions of a protective agent against radioactive substances or radioactive radiation or with a solution of a binder for oil or with a solution of a mixture of two or more of the above-mentioned funds.

In a further aspect of the invention it has been found that the use of the seaweed solid constituents of the kelp according to the invention also in combination with one or more substances selected from the group consisting of lava rocks, mineral rocks comprising zeolite, kaolin, bentonite, perlite Expanded perlite and / or synthetic acrylate polymers such as sodium polyacrylate is advantageous. Thus, the invention relates to the use of the combinations of solid constituents or solid laden constituents of the seaweed producible by a method according to the invention with one or more of the substances mentioned. Depending on requirements, the fertilization of the soil can be achieved in favor of a further increased absorption capacity or another effect by appropriate mixtures.

Furthermore, the invention also includes the solid laden components of seaweed, obtained or obtainable by the following process:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

3) separation of undried seaweed into solid ingredients and liquid ingredients,

3a) optional processing of the solid components of seaweed into free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or to mats, containers or tissues.

4) loading the kelp solids with the liquid components of kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a plant protection product or with a solution an insect repellent or a solution of a toxin-protecting agent or a solution of a radioactive-material or radioactive-radiation protection agent or a solution of a binder for oil or a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforementioned agents;

4a) optional processing of the solid laden components of seaweed into free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or to mats or tissues.

5) drying the solid laden components of seaweed,

6) optionally one or more repetitions of steps 4) and 5), in combination with one or more substances selected from the group lava rocks, mineral rocks comprising zeolite, kaolin, bentonite, perlite, Blähperl it and / or synthetic acrylate polymers such as sodium polyacrylate.

The following examples describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limiting the invention. For a person skilled in the art common alternatives and obvious embodiments and modifications of the present invention are deemed to be covered by the present invention covered by the claims.

figure description

Figure 1: Shows the water absorption capacity of the solid components of

Sea kelp (Kappaphycus alvarezii), which according to the method of the invention at the pH values 13, 1 1, 9, 7, 5, and 3 and incubation times of 10 minutes (10 '), 30 minutes (30') and 60 minutes (60 ') were made at about 26 ° C. Examples

example 1

Kelp pellets

Preparation of solid components of seaweed 1 kg of fresh kelp Kappaphycus alvarezii was washed briefly with seawater and then comminuted in a homogenizer with a sieve size of 200-500 μm. The slurry was further processed in a press apparatus. From the pressing device pellets were obtained with uniform grain size and a residual moisture content of about 40 - 50%.

The pellets are already free-flowing. If desired, the pellets can be further dried under UV lamps, in a drying oven or under sunlight. Due to the small particle size and larger surface area of the particles a shorter drying time and a lower residual moisture can be achieved (<25%, the residual moisture of kelp, which was directly dried after harvesting is 38%).

Example 2

Liquid fraction of kelp (kelp juice)

From the processing of the fresh seaweed to the solid pellets, the liquid fraction of seaweed ("juice") is produced as a by-product which previously had to be disposed of but can now be converted into a useful product.

Seaweed pellets prepared as in Example 1 were soaked in the juice and then dried. A part of the liquid fraction was dried to a powder by the spray drying method. Substances and minerals in spray-dried

Liquid fraction from kelp *)

^* ) By spray drying, 38 g of powder are obtained from 1 kg of kelp liquid fraction (3.8%)

Example 3 - Absorbance of seaweed pellets for water, oil and for the kelp liquid fraction

The uptake capacity of pellets made from undried seaweed or dried seaweed should be compared with each other and with the uptake capacity of perlite. The dried seaweed was freshly harvested from the sea and dried for about 2 weeks in the sun until a residual moisture of about 35% has set. The dried kelp was cut small (about 1 -2 mm grain size). The undried kelp was also harvested fresh from the sea, washed briefly, cut and then separated by pressing in liquid and solid kelp ingredients (particle size about 1 -2 mm). The slices of conventionally-dried seaweed, the pellets of seaweed solids and the swelling pearlite were loaded with water or with the liquid fraction recovered from the seaweed. For this purpose, liquid was added to 0.5 g each of shredded dried seaweed, pellets or expanded perlite. After 10 minutes, the liquid was decanted, filtered and then the loaded products weighed. Weight gain after treatment was determined and the uptake capacity of the products was determined (Table 3). Table 3 shows that the pellets of undried seaweed have excellent properties as a storage substrate for water and for the liquid components of seaweed, which exceeds even that of inflated perlite.

Pellets made from fresh seaweed exhibit superior properties as a storage substrate for e.g. Water or for the liquid fraction of seaweed. Surprisingly, it was found that the undetected kelp pellets absorbed more water than dried seaweed pellets (20x factor) and could even take up more water than expanded perlite. This was particularly true even when the pellets were loaded with the liquid components of the seaweed.

Tab. 3 Capacity of fluid intake of different

products

Loading capacity with

Water liquid fraction

of seaweed

Dried pellets 36.23%

Seaweed ^*

Undried pellets 619.03% 364.28%

Seaweed ^**

Puffed Perlite 450% 297.51%

*) Residual moisture 35%

**) Pellets, residual moisture 28% Example 4 - Production of solid components of seaweed according to the invention

1 kg of fresh kelp Kappaphycus alvarezii was washed briefly with seawater. Thereafter, this seaweed was incubated for 10, 30 and 60 minutes in aqueous solutions having different pH values (pH 13-1 1 -9-7-5-3). The weight ratio of kelp to aqueous solution was 1: 5. The pH of the aqueous solution was adjusted to tap water by addition of NaOH or HCl and constantly monitored during the incubation and optionally readjusted.

Subsequently, the seaweed thus obtained is comminuted in a homogenizer. The solid fraction was separated by filtration with a sieve size of 200 - 500 μιτι under pressure from the juice of the seaweed and dried at 50 ° C in a drying oven until they contained 15 - 20% residual liquid.

Example 5 - Absorptive capacity of sea kelp pellets according to Example 4 for water The uptake capacity of pellets prepared from undried sea kelp according to the invention should be compared with each other.

The pellets of solid seaweed were loaded with water. For this, 1 part of dried seaweed pellets (1 g) obtained in Example 4 was added to 30 parts of water and stirred at room temperature (27 ° C) for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the liquid was decanted, filtered and then weighed after another 10 minutes the loaded products. The weight gain after the treatment was determined and thus the absorption capacity of the products was determined (Table 4 and Figure 1).

Pellets made from fresh seaweed show superior properties as a storage substrate for eg water or for the liquid fraction of seaweed. Surprisingly, it has been found that the pellets of undried kelp, which have been incubated with an acidic solution for at least 20 minutes, absorb significantly more water than the pellets without incubation step or incubation step in basic solution and have also included more water than the dried kelp pellets , 5

Capacity of fluid intake of products obtained after incubation at different pH values

Example 6 - Loading capacity of the seaweed pellets with the liquid fraction of the seaweed with repeated loading The pellets (0.5 g), which were prepared from fresh, undried seaweed, as described in Examples 1 and 4, were mixed with the liquid fraction from the seaweed loaded to saturation (about 5 minutes) and then weighed. Thereafter, the pellets were dried at 70 ° C for 180 minutes in a drying oven. After the first drying, the pellets were partially reloaded, weighed and dried under the same conditions. The process was repeated so that the pellets were loaded a total of three times.

Tab. 5 shows that the pellets can be loaded several times with kelp liquid fraction. The pellets thus prepared can be up to 1000% (1 g Pellets - 10 g of liquid fraction when loaded three times) of their own weight. Thus, the pellets can be used as a natural carrier system for fertilizer which releases the bioactive substances slowly over a longer period of time.

In this context, it is surprising that the loading capacity of the pellets was only slightly reduced by the repeated loading (12-15% reduction per load), so that a 5 to 10 times loading of the pellets is possible.

Absorption capacity of the pellets after several times

Loading with the liquid fraction from the kelp

The inventively worked up (pH 7, 60 minutes), solid components of seaweed were also loaded with oil. The uptake capacity was comparable to the loading of the liquid fraction from the kelp.

Example 7 - Influences of seaweed pellets loaded with the liquid components of seaweed on plant growth

The effects of liquid fraction-impregnated kelp pellets on the growth of plants has been on the fast-growing 7

Water / swamp plants Ipomoea rectans examined. Ipomoea rectans (about 15-20 cm, 15g each) were planted in a pot.

The pot contained either wet mud without an additive, wet mud with addition of liquid seaweed fraction (final concentration 5% of the liquid seaweed fraction) or wet mud with loaded seaweed pellets (final concentration 5% calculated on the concentration of liquid seaweed fraction). The liquid seaweed fraction or seaweed pellets loaded with liquid seaweed fraction were added only once to the wet slurry and mixed well.

The plants were grown outdoors at temperatures of about 27 - 31 ° C. The observation time was 10 days. After the observation period, the plants, including roots, were removed from the slurry, rinsed with water, dried and weighed.

Table 6 shows that the addition of the liquid constituents of the kelp promoted the growth of the plant. The addition of the loaded kelp pellets, however, further enhanced this effect. This is probably due to the upgrading (loading) of seaweed pellets with the liquid components of seaweed, which has enriched the pellet with other bioactive substances and thus further increases the release of bioactive substances during the degradation of the pellets.

Tab. 6 Influences of seaweed pellets loaded with the liquid components of seaweed on plant growth

Weight gain%

Without supplement (control) 42

With addition of liquid seaweed fraction

(Final concentration 5%, i.e. 5 g of liquid 72

Seaweed fraction on 100 g soil) O

Example 8 - Loading capacity of seaweed pellets and mixtures of seaweed pellets with various substances

To compare the uptake capacity of different products, pellets (1 g) prepared from fresh, undried kelp as described in Example 3 were loaded with water or the liquid components of the kelp to saturation (about 5 minutes) and then weighed. This procedure was also carried out with pellets of fresh, dried seaweed and with the substances and mixtures of substances listed in Table 7.

After loading, the products were weighed. The weight gain after treatment was determined and the uptake capacity of the products was determined.

It was found that the water absorption capacity of the loaded kelp pellets, which were prepared from undried kelp, was far superior to all other substances tested. The water absorption capacity of the loaded kelp pellets could be further increased by admixture with sodium polyacrylate. Even a small admixture of sodium polyacrylate (20%) increased the water absorption capacity to more than 1000%. Tab. 7 Water absorption capacity of different substances and substance mixtures

Incubation step at pH 5.0 for 30 minutes at 28 ° C

without incubation step prepared according to Example 1

Incubation step at pH 6.0 for 45 minutes at 27 ° C

Claims

claims

1 . Process for the treatment of seaweed, the process comprising the following steps:

1) Extraction of seaweed from the sea,

2) at least 10 minutes incubation of the undried kelp with an aqueous solution having a pH <8,

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in step 2) the duration of the treatment and the pH are selected according to the following formula:

(9-pH) x incubation time in minutes x 16.7 / minute> 2000 wherein the pH has a value of 1, 0 to 8.0.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight ratio of seaweed to aqueous solution is between 1: 3 and 1: 7 and preferably 1: 5.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the working temperature is between 15 ° C and 60 ° C for the entire work-up procedure and between 15 ° C and 60 ° C for the incubation step 2).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the method of step 3) further comprises step 3a):

3a) processing of seaweed solids into free-flowing granules, pellets or dispersible components or mats, packages or tissues.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the method after step 3) or step 3a) further comprises the steps of:

4) loading the kelp solids with the liquid components of kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a plant protection product or with a solution of an insect repellent or with a solution of a toxin or protective solution solution radioactive substances or radioactive radiation or with a solution of a binding agent for oil or with a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforesaid agents,

Drying the solid laden components of seaweed;

or

Drying the solid laden components of seaweed.

The method of claim 6, wherein after step 5) the method further comprises step 6):

6) One or more repetitions of steps 4) and 5).

The method of claim 6, wherein the method of step 4) further comprises step 4a):

A method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein during the incubation in step 2 a continuous pH measurement and corresponding readjustment of the pH takes place.

Kelp ingredients obtainable by a process according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

The kelp solids according to claim 10, wherein the kelp solids are used in combination with one or more substances selected from the group comprising lava rocks, mineral rocks, zeolite, kaolin, bentonite, perlite, expanded perlite and / or synthetic polyacrylates such as sodium polyacrylate.

12. Solid seaweed laden ingredients according to claim 10 having a residual water content of less than 40% by weight, the seaweed solid constituents being mixed with the liquid components of kelp or with a solution of a fertilizer or with a solution of a plant protection product or with a solution an insect repellent or a solution of a toxin protective agent or a solution of radioactive or radioactive radiation protection agent or a solution of a binder for oil or a solution of a mixture of two or more of the aforesaid agents.

13. Solid laden components of seaweed according to claim 10, in the form of free-flowing granules, pellets, dispersible components, mats or tissues.

14. Use of solid components of seaweed according to any one of claims 10-13 as a means for storing water or as a liquid absorber.

15. Use according to claim 14 as a water reservoir for soil greening and / or improvement of the soil structure, as Öladsorptionsmittel or as a liquid absorbent in health products and hygiene articles, baby diapers, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, dressings, in gel beds or as gel-forming extinguishing agents in fire fighting.