Hydrogel-based Delivery Systems for Environmental and Agricultural Applications

This inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to develop novel hydrogel-based delivery systems for various environmental and agricultural applications, including crop yield improvement, soil pollution treatment, bioremediation of contaminated water, enhanced oil recovery, and industrial wastewater treatment.

The original patent focused on wound healing and tissue repair by delivering therapeutic proteins using a hydrogel-based system. However, this technology has broader potential applications in environmental and agricultural fields, where controlled release of proteins and enzymes can have significant benefits. The new inventive concept addresses the limitations of the original patent by adapting the hydrogel-based delivery system for these new applications, providing a more efficient and effective way to tackle environmental and agricultural challenges.

The new inventive concept involves the development of hydrogel-based delivery systems for environmental and agricultural applications. These systems comprise a complex or coacervate of a polycationic polymer, a polyanionic polymer, and a protein or enzyme tailored to the specific application. For example, in crop yield improvement, the delivery system can release plant growth-promoting proteins to enhance plant growth and productivity. In soil pollution treatment, the system can release pollutant-degrading enzymes to break down pollutants. Similarly, in bioremediation of contaminated water, the system can provide a nutrient source for microorganisms to degrade pollutants. In enhanced oil recovery, the system can release surfactants to improve oil extraction efficiency. Finally, in industrial wastewater treatment, the system can release enzymes to degrade organic pollutants. The hydrogel-based delivery system provides a controlled release of these proteins and enzymes, ensuring a sustained and effective treatment.

The new inventive concept is novel and non-obvious compared to the original patent because it applies the core technology to entirely new fields and applications, requiring significant adaptations and innovations. The inventive step lies in the development of new complexes or coacervates of polycationic and polyanionic polymers with proteins or enzymes tailored to environmental and agricultural applications, and the integration of these complexes into hydrogel-based delivery systems.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different types of polymers, proteins, or enzymes, or variations in the hydrogel composition and structure. Additionally, the delivery system could be adapted for use in other environmental or agricultural applications, such as bioremediation of contaminated soil or air pollution treatment.

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various environmental and agricultural industries, including crop yield improvement, soil pollution treatment, bioremediation of contaminated water, enhanced oil recovery, and industrial wastewater treatment. The market for these applications is substantial, with growing demand for sustainable and efficient solutions to environmental and agricultural challenges.