Abstract:
Method of preparing and producing high-protein peanut sprouts is disclosed. A system to produce peanut sprouts is also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]      1 . Field of the invention 
         [0002]    The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to pomegranate sprouts and preparations derived therefrom and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to the use of same. 
         [0003]    More particularly, this invention relates to a creation of balancing relationship between the sources of the heat, specially constructed winter ventilation inner cover, ventilation, ability to use the subject of invention at remote apiaries without permanent sources of electrical power. 
         [0004]      2 . Background Art 
         [0005]    Peanut sprout is widely cultivated around the world and edible parts thereof have been used extensively in nutritious supplements as well as in the food industry. In the functional food industry, the peanut is included in nutritious category with an exceptional nutrient richness and antioxidant quality along with an appealing taste. Peanuts are a rich source of protein, crude fibers, mostly good fats, and essential vitamins. 
         [0006]    Recent medical research suggests that high fat/lipid foodstuff and diets, particularly those high in cholesterol, saturated fatty acids and triglycerides, can contribute significantly to the development of many diseases, particularly heart diseases, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. In addition, obesity, often mentioned as endemic disease in many countries of the world, is also one of the risk factors of the above diseases. 
         [0007]    A convenient food with high nutritional value and good health-care performance is provided to a consumer, and a novel technology is provided to high-valued germination of peanut sprouts; and the content of protein in the peanut sprout prepared by the method is high while the fat content is low. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a peanut sprout preparation. According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of producing peanut sprouts, the method comprising: (a) germinating peanuts in water until sprout emergence; (b) moisturizing the sprouts without exposure of light so as to obtain light-unexposed sprouts; (c) incubating the light-unexposed sprouts in the dark; (d) watering the light-unexposed sprouts for a period of time, and (d) harvesting the peanut sprouts, thereby producing the peanut sprouts. 
         [0009]    According to some embodiments of the invention, step (a) of the method is effected for about 2 to 3 days, wherein step (b) is effected for about 80 to 90 percent, wherein step (c) is effected for about 7 to 8 days, wherein (d) is effected for about every 2 to 3 hours during the step (c). 
         [0010]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the food or feed product is selected from the group consisting of a dried sprout, a fresh sprout, a frozen sprout, a baked sprout, a stewed sprout, a fried sprout, an extruded sprout, a mashed sprout, a marinated sprout and a pickled sprout. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. 
         [0011]    The present invention also involves a system for controlling climate and moisture of a housing. The system comprises at least a condition control sensor being adapted to sense temperature and humidity condition in the housing. The system further comprises ventilations fan being adapted to generate an air flow in the system and a heating element to preheat the air flow from outside. The system, in addition, comprises electronics connected to the condition control sensor, the ventilation fans, and the heating element. The electronics controls the ventilation fans and the heating element according to the sensed temperature and humidity condition in the housing. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a first fan, which is arranged in an air ventilation box and running continuously to create negative pressure inside the housing. Hence, the air flow generated by the first fan is more efficiently directed upwardly to the top of the system. The air flow generated by the first fan would have tendency to flow vertically. 
         [0013]    According to a preferred embodiment, the system is further provided with a ventilation inner cover, which is adapted to let air pass through. The cover prevents dirt and flies from entering the housing. Especially, when the fan is activated, the generated air flow may drive dirt or flies towards the system rather than moisture saturated air only. 
         [0014]    Further, according to an even more preferred embodiment, the ventilation inner cover comprises a board with holes, a net and/or a mesh-like structure. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, the climate and moisture control system further comprises a second fan adapted to generate an air flow in at least a portion of the housing, wherein the second fan is connected to the electronics, and the electronics controls the second fan according to the sensed humidity and temperature condition. 
         [0016]    This provides a second source for an air flow in the system. This allows for a more favorable distribution of the air flow in the housing. Moreover, the overall airflow may be increased by using two fans. It is even more preferred that the second fan is arranged in a top section of the housing. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the first and second fan may have an operating voltage of 9-12 V DC. Moreover, the first and second fan and the electronics may further comprise means for converting supplied electrical power, e.g., the electronics may comprise a converter that is adapted to convert any of a 110 V and a 220V AC supply voltage to 9-12 V DC, which is then used to power the electronics and the first and second fan. The converting means may automatically detect the supply voltage and convert it accordingly. 
         [0018]    In another preferred embodiment, the condition control sensor further comprises at least one humidity sensor and at least one temperature sensor, and the electronics activates the second fan if the sensed humidity is above an upper humidity threshold. 
         [0019]    Additionally or alternatively, the electronics deactivates the first fan if the sensed humidity is below a lower humidity threshold. 
         [0020]    These embodiments prevent the humidity in the housing from rising above a given value. When the fan is deactivated, the air flow stops and the air exchange in the housing is minimized, and thus allows moisture building up inside the housing. 
         [0021]    In particular, the upper humidity threshold is between 80% and 90%, preferably between 83% and 85% and most preferably between 80% and 83% relative humidity. These upper humidity threshold values have been experienced to provide a good condition for the sprouts to grow. 
         [0022]    The electronics may further comprise any type of analog and digital or mixed-signal electronics. The electronics may further comprise at least one analog-to-digital converter for converting signals received from the condition control sensor. 
         [0023]    According to a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises one or more ventilation openings. Providing one or more ventilation openings has the benefit of allowing air exchange between the inside and the outside of the housing other than through the ventilation openings. Fresh air may be expelled out of the housing to affect the temperature and humidity inside the housing. 
         [0024]    Moreover, in some embodiments, the system may comprise more than two fans to provide a more detailed control of the air flow in the housing. The fans are connected to and controlled by the electronics. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises removable racks being arranged in the housing for harvesting the sprouts. 
         [0026]    The electronics controls the second fan according to the sensed humidity and temperature condition. The electronics increases the voltage to 240 V applied to the heating element if the sensed humidity is above an upper humidity threshold. 
         [0027]    Using both ways of heat transfer such as heat convection and heat radiation of heat energy, produced by heating film, to transfer to the cluster increase efficiency of the heating element, comfort ability for bees inside chamber during cold prolonged winter season. 
         [0028]    When the main electrical power source is disconnected, the ventilation fans can be connected to the automobile battery power or “solar panel” to keep the system running. The two ventilation fans together can use 0.048 A of DC or 0.58 Watt of energy that an automobile battery can be used without battery recharge. Solar panels as a potential electrical power source can definitely also be used as a secondary electrical power source. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart describing a method for preparing and producing peanut sprouts using the system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the ventilation fans located in the top section of the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the beehive according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the beehive heater installed in the bottom panel of the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  shows an electrical control diagram to be used for the embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , and with reference to the system  44  of  FIG. 2 , illustrates an exemplary method by which the sprouts are prepared and produced from peanuts. 
         [0035]    The present method begins with step  1 , wherein raw peanuts are dried and removed hard shells but left reddish skins on. Still in step  1 , the reddish skinned peanuts are soaked in tap water for about 2 to 3 days to sprout. 
         [0036]    At step  2 , sprouted peanuts are stored in a storage room and kept out sun light, wherein the sprouted peanuts will be moisturized for about 1 to 2 hours. 
         [0037]    At step  3 , the moisturized sprouted peanuts are incubated for about 85% to 90% humidity. 
         [0038]    At step  4 , sprouted peanuts are sprinkled for about every 2 to 3 hours continuously. 
         [0039]    At step  5 , the sprouted peanuts are harvested. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  describes an embodiment of the present invention comprising a system for monitoring and controlling climate and moisture in a housing  44 . An assembly of top section where ventilation fans are located according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0041]    Referring  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the standard parts of the housing  44  assembly includes an outer cover  10  to be a put on top of an air ventilation box  42  where a first ventilation fan  12  and a second ventilation  14  are adapted to generate an air flow from the housing to the air ventilation box, and wherein water sprinkler  28  is installed to allow watering the sprouted peanuts. In the embodiment shown on  FIG. 3 , the air ventilation box  42  is open on a bottom side. The assembly further includes an air ventilation inner cover  30  which is mounted near the lower edge of the air ventilation box  42 . 
         [0042]    Still referring  FIG. 2 , the air ventilation inner cover  30  comprises a plurality of rectangle holes covered by wire mesh to allow the air passing through. The holes will also lead the air flow being generated by the first ventilation fan  12  and the second ventilation  14  out of the housing  44 . In the center of the air ventilation cover  10 , there is a foam insulation which is mounted upward to the bottom to prevent condensation on the inner surface. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the housing  44  comprises wire trays  20 , a bottom board  46 , in which is mounted heating element  16 . Heating element  16  is inserted above the bottom board  46  and a lower air flow entrance  26 . The bottom board  46  projects beyond the front of the lower air flow entrance  26  to allow the air passing through. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  also shows the air flow pattern within the housing  44 . The air will flow out of the housing  44  through the first ventilation fan  12  and the second ventilation  14 , when the system is in operation in response to the condition control sensor  18 . The air flow through the entrance  26  in the bottom board  46  is heated by the heating element  16  and passing upwardly through the sprout trays  20  and through the holes of the air ventilation inner cover  30  out of the housing  44 . 
         [0045]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the housing  44  also comprises wire trays  20 . When installed, the wire trays  20  are spaced apart to provide extra space for the sprouts growth and air flow between each tray. 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the housing  44  further comprises electronics  36  to control the first ventilation fan  12  and the second ventilation fan  14 . The electronics  36  switches on the first fan  12  and heating element  18  to run continuously in order to generate a negative air flow pressure within the housing  44 . The electronics  36  is, moreover, connected to a condition control sensor  18 , which takes the form of a dual sensor for, both, temperature and humidity. The condition control sensor  18  is arranged on the side of the housing  44 . The electronics  36  controls the second fan  14  according to signals from the condition control sensor  18 . 
         [0047]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the electronics  36  controlling the second fan  14  may comprise complete activation or deactivation of the second fan  14 . In these embodiments, the second fan  14  either runs on a maximum power or is complete switched off, based on the sensed condition sensor  18 , to increase the negative air flow pressure out of the housing  44 . The second fan  14  is activated if the sensed humidity and temperature are above the upper humidity thresholds. However, the second fan  14  is deactivated if the sensed humidity and temperature are below the lower humidity and temperature thresholds. For example, the electronics  36  may switch on the second fan  14  if the sensed temperature is above 35° C. and the sensed humidity is above 90% and switch off the second fan  14  if the sensed humidity is below 80%. In all other cases, the electronics  36  does not change the previous powering stage of the second fan  14 . 
         [0048]    Moreover, in some embodiments, the climate and moisture control system may include more than two fans to provide a more detailed control of the air flow in the beehive enclosure. The fans are connected and controlled by the electronics  36 . 
         [0049]    Still in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , in other embodiments, electronics  38  may control the heating element  16  to switch to intermediate power values larger than 120 V and lower than 240 V, based on the sensed condition sensor  18 . Here, both continuous and discontinuous power values may be used. 
         [0050]    Having illustrated and described the principles of the present invention in a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. Any and all such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.