Method and apparatus for the scheduled production of plant extracts

Abstract

A method for the just-in-time delivery of harvested plant material and plant compounds grown in a genetically-isolated growth environment is provided. The desired crop is grown in an underground growth chamber according to a predetermined growing model in which all growing conditions are controlled. Component yield and completion time can be accurately forecast such that the harvest time of the plant material, or the completion of upstream plant extract recovery, can be accurately forecast. The use of an underground growth chamber allows for complete control over environmental factors in growth of the plant material, and also allows for the best possible protection of the growing environment against any contamination of genetic material from outside of the chamber, as well as protection of the outdoor environment against any contamination of genetic material from inside of the chamber. The method will be particularly useful in the production of plant-made pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] The invention relates to the production of harvested plant material in a genetically contained growth environment. More specifically there is disclosed a method for the just-in-time production of harvested plant material, or plant compounds recovered or obtained from harvested plant material. [0002] The advent of just-in-time manufacturing, procurement and purchasing has reached through many corners of the current market. In accordance with this type of business model, increased business efficiency is realized, which corresponds to a significant economic benefit. Companies or individuals who utilize this methodology are no longer required to hold large inventories of produced materials for long periods of time in order to guarantee timely delivery, since they are able to produce the required products in a predictable amount of time. [0003] One area of the economy in which just-in-time manufacture and delivery of products, intermediates, or inputs is that of the nut...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] It is the object of the present invention to provide a method by which harvested plant material can be produced in a genetically-isolated growing environment on a scheduled basis. It is the further object of the present invention to provide a method for the scheduled production of harvested plant material or compounds therefrom wherein the crop is grown within a genetically-isolated underground growth chamber, whereby the crop during growth or harvest does not face the possibility of contamination by or exposure to genetic material or compounds from outside of the growing environment.

[0013] It is the further object of the present invention to provide a genetically-isolated underground growth chamber within which plants can be grown in accordance with predetermined growth profiles such that the scheduled delivery or the completion of harvesting of such plant material can be accomplished.

[0020] The planting time and other starting crop particulars having been determined, the next step in the method of the present invention is to plant the selected crop in a genetically-isolated underground growth chamber at the calculated planting time. The starting crop material specified in the predetermined growth profile will be planted and grown in accordance with the growing conditions specified in the predetermined growth profile—i.e. by exercising careful control over the consistency of the starting plant material and the environment created within the underground growth chamber during the growth cycle of the crop, a very consistent completion timeframe can be achieved, and can in fact be forecast in advance of planting the crop. At the conclusion of the growth period or growth cycle, the crop will be harvested to obtain the desired harvested plant material. By control of the growing conditions of the crop in the environmentally controlled underground growth chamber in accordance with the selected predetermined growth profile, the conclusion of the growth period will predictably coincide with the scheduled delivery time.

Problems solved by technology

The spreading and / or cross propagation of a particular variety of genetically modified plant platform or crop which is beneficial for use as a pharmaceutical expression platform may be of no general environmental value and more importantly may in fact be harmful to the general environment and may not be fit for human or animal consumption or exposure.

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