Extracting Flavonoids for Fertilizer/Bio-Stimulant for Grain and Animal Health

This detailed analysis explores the potential of flavonoids as bio-stimulants and fertilizers for agricultural use, focusing on their efficacy in enhancing plant growth, improving soil health, and replacing antibiotics in animal farming. For a comprehensive overview of our investigation into the applications of flavonoids in agriculture and livestock management, please visit the Holisticus Index Page.

7 August 2024

Introduction

Flavonoids are beneficial compounds found in various plants that can be extracted and used as bio-stimulants or fertilizers. Research has shown that when sprayed onto land where oilseeds and grains are planted, flavonoid extracts can significantly enhance plant growth, resilience, and yield. This is due to flavonoids’ ability to improve photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and overall plant health. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of flavonoid sprays in promoting better root development and increasing chlorophyll content, leading to enhanced photosynthesis and higher crop productivity. Flavonoids can also stimulate the activity of beneficial soil microbes, improving soil health and plant nutrient availability.

Furthermore, flavonoids hold potential as an alternative to antibiotics in animal farming, enhancing animal health while complying with the EU’s organic farming regulations. They can replace antibiotics, promoting gut health and boosting the immune system in livestock.

Mechanisms of Action

Leaf Application: Flavonoid sprays applied directly to the leaves can enhance photosynthesis by increasing chlorophyll content and promoting more efficient light absorption. This improves the plant’s energy production, leading to better growth and higher yields. The leaf application is particularly effective for cereals and grains due to the large leaf surface area available for absorption.

Soil Application: When applied to the soil, flavonoids can enhance root development and nutrient uptake. They stimulate beneficial soil microbes, which can improve soil structure and fertility, leading to healthier plants. This method is beneficial for legumes and oilseeds, enhancing root growth and nitrogen fixation.

Animal Health: Flavonoids can improve the health of livestock by enhancing gut health and boosting the immune system. They can act as natural antibiotics, promoting beneficial gut bacteria and inhibiting harmful pathogens. This makes them a valuable addition to organic farming practices, potentially replacing synthetic antibiotics.

Studies Supporting Flavonoid Use

  • “Flavonoids and Their Role in Enhancing Agricultural Productivity” – Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (University of California, Davis, 2019).
  • “Effects of Plant-Derived Flavonoids on Soil Microbial Communities and Plant Growth” – European Journal of Agronomy (Wageningen University, 2018).
  • “Enhancing Photosynthesis in Crops Using Flavonoid Sprays” – Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (University of Reading, 2020).
  • “Flavonoids as Natural Antibiotics for Livestock Health” – Journal of Animal Science (University of Guelph, 2021).

Extraction Method: Maceration

I present a simple DIY extraction method so that a small-scale experiment can be done to validate these findings. Once validated, one can ramp up production. However, even a ramped-up production for the average farm in Austria will only take 2 or three days maximum and no large industrial equipment are required.

Equipment Needed:

  • Grinder (a meat grinder with a 1mm or 3mm plate can be used)
  • Container (glass or stainless steel)
  • Solvent (ethanol is preferred)
  • Filter (cheesecloth or fine mesh)
  • Storage containers (glass jars or bottles)

Step-by-Step Process:

Selecting Plant Material: Choose flavonoid-rich plants from the list below.

Grinding: Use a grinder to grind the plant material. A meat grinder with a 1mm or 3mm plate can be used to achieve a fine consistency, which increases the surface area for better extraction.

Maceration:

  • Place the ground plant material into a container.
  • Add ethanol to the container. The solvent should cover the plant material completely.
  • Seal the container and shake it well.

Steeping:

  • Allow the mixture to steep for 24 to 48 hours. Shake the container occasionally to ensure thorough mixing and better extraction of flavonoids.

Filtration:

  • After the steeping period, filter the mixture using cheesecloth or a fine mesh filter to remove the solid plant material. Collect the liquid extract in a clean container.

Concentration:

  • If a more concentrated extract is needed, evaporate some of the ethanol by allowing the extract to sit uncovered in a well-ventilated area. Alternatively, use a low-heat method to gently evaporate the solvent.

Storage:

  • Store the flavonoid extract in glass jars or bottles. Keep the containers in a cool, dark place to maintain the extract’s potency.

Application Notes

Leaf Application:

  • Method: Dilute the flavonoid extract with water and spray it directly onto the leaves of the plants. This method enhances photosynthesis and improves plant health.
  • Frequency: Apply every two to three weeks during the growing season.
  • Benefits: Increased chlorophyll content, better light absorption, enhanced energy production, and higher yields.

Soil Application:

  • Method: Dilute the flavonoid extract with water and apply it to the soil around the base of the plants. This method improves root development and nutrient uptake.
  • Frequency: Apply monthly during the growing season.
  • Benefits: Improved root growth, enhanced soil health, better nutrient availability, and stronger plants.

Animal Health Application:

  • Method: Add flavonoid extract to the animal’s feed or water. This helps promote gut health and boost the immune system.
  • Frequency: Daily or as recommended by a veterinarian.
  • Benefits: Improved gut health, enhanced immune function, reduced need for synthetic antibiotics.

Best Methods for Different Crops:

  • Cereals (Wheat, Barley, etc.): Leaf application is often more effective due to the large leaf surface area available for absorption, enhancing photosynthesis and overall plant health.
  • Grains (Corn, Rice, etc.): Leaf application is preferred for similar reasons, promoting vigorous growth and yield.
  • Legumes (Soybeans, Lentils, etc.): Soil application can be beneficial to improve root development and nitrogen fixation.
  • Oilseeds (Sunflower, Canola, etc.): Leaf application can boost photosynthesis and oil content.

Flavonoid-Rich Plants

Fruits

  • Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits
  • Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries
  • Grapes: Red and black varieties
  • Apples: Various varieties
  • Cherries: Sweet and tart cherries
  • Pomegranates

Vegetables

  • Onions: Red, yellow, and white
  • Kale
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Parsley
  • Celery
  • Peppers: Green, red, and yellow bell peppers

Legumes

  • Soybeans
  • Black Beans
  • Kidney Beans

Nuts and Seeds

  • Almonds
  • Pistachios

Grains

  • Buckwheat
  • Quinoa

Beverages

  • Tea: Green, black, and oolong tea
  • Red Wine

Herbs and Spices

  • Thyme
  • Mint
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Basil
  • Turmeric
  • Cinnamon

Other Plants

  • Chocolate: Particularly dark chocolate
  • Olives: Especially black olives

Volume Calculations

For Leaf Treatment (Foliar Spray):

  • Dosage: Typically, flavonoid-based products are applied as foliar sprays at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%.
  • Volume per Hectare: Assuming an application rate of 500 litres per hectare (common for foliar sprays), you would need between 0.5 to 2.5 litres of flavonoid concentrate per hectare.
    • Calculation Example:
      • At 0.1% concentration: 500 litres * 0.001 = 0.5 litres
      • At 0.5% concentration: 500 litres * 0.005 = 2.5 litres

For Soil Treatment:

  • Dosage: Flavonoid-based soil treatments are typically applied at concentrations of 1% to 3%.
  • Volume per Hectare: Assuming a soil drench application rate of 1,000 litres per hectare, you would need between 10 to 30 litres of flavonoid concentrate per hectare.
    • Calculation Example:
      • At 1% concentration: 1,000 litres * 0.01 = 10 litres
      • At 3% concentration: 1,000 litres * 0.03 = 30 litres

Flavonoid Application for Animals

For Cows:

  • Dosage: The recommended dosage of flavonoids for cattle varies widely depending on the specific product and intended effect (e.g., antioxidant support, immune system enhancement). Reducing the dosage to 25 mg per kg of body weight per day for already antibiotic-free cattle could still provide health benefits.
  • Volume per Cow: Assuming an average cow weight of 500 kg and using an average dosage of 25 mg/kg/day:
    • Daily dosage: 500 kg * 25 mg/kg = 12,500 mg (or 12.5 grams) of flavonoid per cow per day.
    • Annual dosage (assuming continuous supplementation): 12.5 grams/day * 365 days = 4,562.5 grams (or approximately 4.6 kg) per cow per year.

A dosage of 25 mg/kg/day will enhance the health of cattle raised without antibiotics by promoting gut health and boosting the immune system, though the effect may be less pronounced than higher dosages.

The estimated flavonoid requirements per hectare per season are as follows: for foliar (leaf) treatment, between 0.5 to 2.5 litres of flavonoid concentrate per hectare; for soil treatment, between 10 to 30 litres of flavonoid concentrate per hectare. For livestock, specifically cattle, the estimated requirement is approximately 11.5 kg per cow per year.

Average Farm Data in Austria

In Austria, the average farm size is approximately 20 hectares. Given this, and the typical agricultural practices:

Land Requiring Leaf Treatment (Foliar Spray):

  • Assuming a farm of 20 hectares, all of which might be subjected to foliar treatment, this would require between 10 to 50 litres of flavonoid concentrate per farm per season.

Land Requiring Soil Treatment:

  • If the same 20-hectare farm uses soil treatment, it would need between 200 to 600 liters of flavonoid concentrate per farm per season.

Heads of Cattle per Farm:

  • The average number of cattle per farm in Austria can vary, but a typical small to medium-sized farm might have around 30 to 50 heads of cattle. Assuming an average of 40 cows per farm, and reducing the dosage to 25 mg/kg/day, the flavonoid requirement for these cattle would be approximately 500 kg per year (12.5 kg per cow per year).

Total Fruit Requirements

Using the average flavonoid content of 200 mg per 100 grams of fresh fruit:

  • Per farm for leaf treatment (10 to 50 litres):
  • Requires 50 to 250 grams of flavonoids.
  • Fresh fruit needed: 25 to 125 kg.
  • Per farm for soil treatment (200 to 600 litres):
  • Requires 2,000 to 6,000 grams of flavonoids.
  • Fresh fruit needed: 1,000 to 3,000 kg.
  • Per farm for animal supplementation (500 kg):
  • Requires 500 kg of flavonoids.
  • Fresh fruit needed: 250,000 kg (250 metric tons).

Production Setup and Time Requirements

Leaf and Soil Treatments:

  • Vessels: Small-scale operations for leaf and soil treatments would require cooking vessels of 50 to 200 litres capacity.
  • Time: Extracting flavonoids might take several hours per batch, including preparation, cooking, and extraction.
  • Leaf Treatment: Producing 10-50 liters might take 1-2 days.
  • Soil Treatment: Producing 200-600 litres might take 5-10 days.

Animal Supplementation:

  • Vessels: Large-scale production would require industrial extraction tanks of several thousand litres capacity.
  • Time: Industrial-scale extraction could take several weeks to months with continuous operation.
  • This would require a dedicated facility with large capacity tanks and multiple workers.

Opinion on Reducing Antibiotic Use in Cattle

Using flavonoids at the reduced dosage of 25 mg/kg/day could still provide significant health benefits for cattle raised without antibiotics by promoting gut health and boosting the immune system. While the impact might be less pronounced compared to higher dosages, it would still contribute to overall better health and reduced incidence of disease, potentially reducing the need for antibiotics. The minimum amount of flavonoids for cattle to replace antibiotics completely will be:

Still, this will require 182,500kg of fresh produce to be processed per year which is beyond the intention here and using it for cattle seems not to be viable.

This general approach aligns with the EU’s organic farming regulations, offering a natural and sustainable way to enhance livestock health.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, it appears feasible for farmers in Austria to produce enough flavonoids in 1 to 3 days to satisfy the average land requirements for leaf and soil treatment. Given the average farm size of 20 hectares, farmers can manage the required production within a short time frame. For leaf treatment, the production workload is reasonable and aligns well with current agricultural practices. Soil treatment might require a reduced dosage, potentially one-quarter of the recommended amount, to observe significant benefits without extensive labour.

For cattle, particularly those already raised in antibiotic-free environments, targeting specific situations with flavonoids or using a reduced dosage (one-tenth of the recommended volume) could still yield health benefits. This approach minimizes the effort required while promoting animal health in line with EU organic farming standards.

In summary, while full-scale production for all applications might be labour-intensive, strategic and reduced usage of flavonoids can enhance both plant and animal health sustainably and efficiently.

I have heard from farmers’ accounts of great results in replacing antibiotics that use a far lower dosage than discussed here.  It definitely seems to have merit at least to look at it carefully.

Reader’s List for Further Reading

  • “Flavonoids and Their Role in Enhancing Agricultural Productivity” – Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, University of California, Davis (2019).
  • “Effects of Plant-Derived Flavonoids on Soil Microbial Communities and Plant Growth” – European Journal of Agronomy, Wageningen University (2018).
  • “Enhancing Photosynthesis in Crops Using Flavonoid Sprays” – Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Reading (2020).
  • “Flavonoids as Natural Antibiotics for Livestock Health” – Journal of Animal Science, University of Guelph (2021).

References

  • “Flavonoids and Their Role in Enhancing Agricultural Productivity” – Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, University of California, Davis (2019). [Link]
  • “Effects of Plant-Derived Flavonoids on Soil Microbial Communities and Plant Growth” – European Journal of Agronomy, Wageningen University (2018). [Link]
  • “Enhancing Photosynthesis in Crops Using Flavonoid Sprays” – Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Reading (2020). [Link]
  • “Flavonoids as Natural Antibiotics for Livestock Health” – Journal of Animal Science, University of Guelph (2021). [Link]
  • Featured Image: Can flavonoids help fend off forgetfulness? – Harvard Health

For a comprehensive overview of our exploration into the interconnectedness of life and the cosmos, please visit the Holisticus Index Page.