noffsinger Chapter 828 - 560: Born for Competition
Chapter 828 - 560: Born for Competition
"The raw materials are cricket powder, fresh cricket pulp, and later I tried adding some coarse protein supplements with Xiao Li, conducting a controllable moderate fermentation to some extent! The final extract showed excellent attraction and feeding stimulation in the maze experiment!" Yu Dong said confidently.
"Cricket pulp? I’ve heard of using locust powder as bait, but how did you guys end up researching this stuff?" Zhang Yang’s mind went slightly blank upon hearing the term.
"I searched online for inspiration and accidentally found information about a pet nutrient paste that said its main active ingredient was cricket pulp in a large proportion, which aids in pet recovery after illness. So, I impulsively researched it, and the test results were explosive!!"
While explaining the discovery process, Yu Dong’s lips curled up unconsciously, his tone was quite proud.
"What is controllable moderate fermentation again?" Zhang Yang asked.
"It’s about adding relatively stable strains, allowing bacteria to decompose some coarse proteins and part of the nutrients into amino acids and small peptide proteins. The final extract consists of some substances produced after bacterial reproduction and metabolism!"
Zhang Yang wasn’t very knowledgeable about fermentation, but when he heard about small peptide proteins, he instantly understood.
Complete decomposition of proteins into amino acids and incomplete decomposition produces small peptide proteins.
In a previous life, Old Ghost Fish Bait released a mature product, and small peptide protein bait was highly sought after for a period.
Unexpectedly, Yu Dong, with his technical expertise, unlocked a new direction in attraction sources through his accidental experiment, without any preliminary research direction.
"What’s the production cost of this stuff? Is the shape stable? Can it be mass-produced?" Zhang Yang continued to ask.
Yu Dong shook his head: "In the lab, small-scale extraction is achievable, but mass production in the factory, for now, is still difficult.
As for the stability of the substance, we have yet to conduct in-depth testing. Initially, I estimate it’s difficult to store at room temperature for long periods!"
"Oh..." Zhang Yang said, with a hint of regret in his tone.
This result was pretty much what Zhang Yang expected. The cycle from discovery to mass factory production of a new substance or component is relatively long.
In case people don’t have a concept of this compound extract’s small peptide proteins, here’s something known to everyone: penicillin.
Penicillin was discovered in 1928 through an accidental petri dish experiment, but mass production didn’t occur until 1942.
A 14-year time span illustrates the gap between the lab and production.
"About what substance specifically contributes to the main attraction and feeding stimulation effect, I’m still unclear, but I can confirm the extract is effective within 48 hours at room temperature!" Yu Dong emphasized again, afraid Zhang Yang wouldn’t take it seriously.
"Do you have extra extract? Give me some to try!" Zhang Yang nodded and asked.
"Yes, I’ve prepared it for you! About a 10ml amount. We previously tested a dilution ratio of about 500g bait with around 1.5ml, which has the optimal attraction effect!"
Yu Dong answered while unlocking the thermal cabinet and handing a small metal sealed jar to Zhang Yang.
"Alright, I’ll go to the backyard to try it first. I’ll find you after the test!"
Yu Dong shrugged and opened the door.
With the testing sample of the extract in hand, Zhang Yang felt his heart pounding as he dashed downstairs, heading directly for the backyard testing pond.
Following several continuous expansions, the outdoor testing pond in the backyard lab had taken shape, with a major pond and a mixed pond, both conforming to the standard 25×15 meters competition pond size.
Zhang Yang quickly prepared two comparison baits, focusing intently on testing them.
After about half an hour of testing, Zhang Yang finally understood why Yu Dong sounded so excited over the phone.
Goodness, the practical effects of this little bottle of extract are incredibly apparent.
In the control group tests, bait with the extract had a bite rate more than double that of the same basic bait without it.
When one hook had the added liquid and the other didn’t, the baited hook had a catch rate exceeding 70%, regardless of whether it was the upper or lower hook, with hardly any difference in the data.
Zhang Yang understood the practical significance and commercial value of such strong real-world effects. He could say this stuff’s status was no less than the company’s current flagship product, Musk Herbal Wine.
Even if it can’t be rapidly commercialized and mass-produced, its limited use within the team would be feasible.
Exhausted but satisfied with the results, Zhang Yang packed his equipment and returned to Yu Dong’s office.
"How did it go? Was it good?" Yu Dong grinned, very confident in his tone.
Zhang Yang nodded: "It’s good. I tested it in the mixed pond; the bite rate soared! By the way, do you have any other projects ongoing? What’s going on with the current research station? Fill me in a bit!"
"Damn! I send you weekly report emails, but you haven’t read them, have you?" Yu Dong, rarely letting slip a swear word, felt a bit frustrated upon hearing Zhang Yang’s question.