Pest control composition

Abstract

A pest control composition comprising humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water wherein the humic acid has a phenolic group concentration of from 0.19 mmol / g of the humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g of the humic acid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pest control compositions, and in particular to pest control compositions comprising Bacillus thuringiensis. Background Art

[0002] Pest control agents are used to control pests, such as insects. The effectiveness of a pest control agent can be affected by many factors. There is a continuing interest in the industry to provide new and improved pest control compositions. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the first feature of the present disclosure, the pest control composition comprises humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis and water, wherein the humic acid has a phenolic concentration of 0.19 mmol / g humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g humic acid. According to the second feature of the present disclosure, based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis and water, humic acid accounts for 0.1 wt% to 5.0 wt% of the pest control composition. According to the third feature of the present disclosure, based on the total weight of humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis and water, water accounts for 25.00 wt% to 99.89 wt% of the composition. According to the fourth feature of the present disclosure, humic acid has a phenolic concentration of 0.375 mmol / g humic acid to 1.26 mmol / g humic acid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items may be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0005] Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges are inclusive. Subscript values ​​in polymer formulas refer to the molar average of the designated components of the polymer.

[0006] Test methods refer to the most recent test methods as of the priority date of this document, unless the date is expressed as a two-digit number with a hyphen in the test method number. Reference to a test method includes reference to both the testing association and the test method number. Test method organizations are referenced by one of the following abbreviations: ASTM refers to ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials); EN refers to European Standards; DIN refers to the German Institute for Standardization; and ISO refers to the International Organization for Standardization.

[0007] As used herein, unless specifically stated to the contrary, "wt %" or "weight percent" or "weight %" of a component is based on the total weight of the composition or article including the component. Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages are by weight.

[0008] Disclosed herein are pest control compositions and methods. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide pest control compositions and methods comprising humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0009] Pest control compositions disclosed herein can be applied to plants (e.g., plant surfaces) to control pests. Advantageously, compared with other preparations, pest control compositions disclosed herein can provide improved (i.e., larger) residual bacterial survival rate after exposure to light (e.g., sunlight). In other words, compared with other preparations, pest control compositions disclosed herein can provide improved UV stability. Compared with other preparations having relatively small residual bacterial survival rates after exposure to light, this improved residual bacterial survival rate can contribute to the pest control compositions disclosed herein provided, which can provide better pest control. Surprisingly, compared with other preparations comprising humic acid with lower phenolic group concentration, humic acid with a phenolic group concentration of 0.19 mmol / g humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g humic acid provides improved residual bacterial survival rate after exposure to light.

[0010] The pest control composition disclosed herein comprises humic acid having a phenolic group concentration of 0.19 mmol / g humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g humic acid. As used herein, "phenolic group" refers to an aromatic hydrocarbon group directly bonded to one or more hydroxyl groups. Humic acid is an acidic organic polymer that can be extracted from humus in soil, sediment or aquatic environment. Humic acid is identified by Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) No. 1415-93-6. Humic acid is commercially available from various suppliers. Examples of commercially available humic acid include, but are not limited to, products available from Sigma-Aldrich or Fisher Scientific.

[0011] The humic acid provided by one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be a solid, for example, it is incorporated into the pest control composition disclosed herein. The humic acid provided by one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be a mixture, for example, a mixture of humic acid and a liquid (such as water), which is incorporated into the pest control composition disclosed herein. The humic acid provided by one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be a solution, for example, a solution of humic acid in a liquid (such as water), which is incorporated into the pest control composition disclosed herein. A combination of solids, mixtures and solutions can be used. Humic acid can have various pH values ​​for various applications.

[0012] The humic acid provided by one or more embodiments is treated humic acid. As used herein, "treated humic acid" refers to humic acid that has been subjected to a chemical procedure to extract the humic acid from humus (eg, soil organic matter).

[0013] Various chemical procedures for extracting humic acid can provide different component compositions of the extracted humic acid. The extraction procedure can be changed to produce a desired composition, such as a specific phenolic group concentration. However, as disclosed herein, it has been surprisingly found that the correlation between the component composition of humic acid and the technical effect of providing improved residual bacterial survival rate after exposure to light. Surprisingly, it has been found that humic acid with a phenolic group concentration of 0.19 mmol / g humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g humic acid provides improved residual bacterial survival rate after exposure to light, while other humic acids (such as humic acids with a phenolic group content of less than 0.19 mmol / g humic acid) cannot effectively provide improved residual bacterial survival rate after exposure to light. The pest control composition provided by one or more embodiments may include fulvic acid and / or other humic components, such as components that can be produced by a humic acid extraction procedure.

[0014] One or more embodiments provide humic acid that is soluble or dispersible in water. The method for providing humic acid that is dispersible or soluble in water can reduce the phenolic group concentration of the humic acid.

[0015] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include determining the phenolic concentration of humic acid. The phenolic concentration of humic acid can be determined using known equipment and methods. For example, the phenolic concentration of humic acid can be determined by absorbance analysis. For example, the humic acid to be analyzed can be added to the assay solution to provide a colored complex, for example, by reducing one of the assay components and then complexing the reduced component with another component present in the assay solution to produce a colored complex. The colored complex can then be used for absorbance analysis. Humic acids determined to have a phenolic concentration of 0.19 mmol / g humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g humic acid can be used with the embodiments disclosed herein. Humic acid can have a phenolic concentration of 0.10 mmol / g humic acid to 1.50 mmol / g humic acid, as determined according to the procedures listed in the Examples section below. For example, the humic acid may have a phenolic group concentration of 0.10 or more, or 0.20 or more, 0.30 or more, or 0.40 or more, or 0.50 or more, or 0.60 or more, or 0.70 or more, or 0.80 or more, or 0.90 or more, or 1.00 or more, or 1.10 or more, or 1.20 or more, or 1.30 or more, or 1.40 or more, while at the same time, 1.50 or less, or 1.40 or less, or 1.30 or less, or 1.20 or less, or 1.10 or less, or 1.00 or less, or 0.90 or less, or 0.80 or less, or 0.70 or less, or 0.60 or less, or 0.50 or less, or 0.40 or less, or 0.30 or less, or 0.20 or less.

[0016] As previously discussed, determination of the phenolic group concentration of humic acid and / or other analytical methods can be used to determine the phenolic content of humic acid and subsequently used to provide a chemical procedure for producing humic acid having a desired phenolic content concentration (i.e., 0.19 mmol / g humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g humic acid). One or more components provided by one or more embodiments can be excluded from extraction. For example, phenol capping agents, cross-linking, and oxidation can be excluded from the extraction medium. Many components and / or conditions can be preferably used for extraction. For example, reducing agents, chemical reagents for quinones, and high temperatures for cleavage of phenolic ethers can be used for extraction. In addition, the extraction medium composition can be designed to include a higher proportion of solvent mixtures for phenolic compounds.

[0017] The pest control composition disclosed herein includes Bacillus thuringiensis. As defined herein, "Bacillus thuringiensis" is the spores and / or crystalline proteins of the Bacillus thuringiensis species, and includes all Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies that exhibit insecticidal properties. Examples of such subspecies include Kurstaki, Israelensis, and Aizawa. Bacillus thuringiensis can be added to the insecticide formulation as a solid or as part of a liquid formulation. The presence and subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis are determined by random amplification polymorphic DNA analysis. A commercially available liquid formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis is THURICIDE available from CERTIS USA in Columbia, Maryland. TM Insecticide.

[0018] Greater residual bacterial survival after exposure to light may provide desirable improved pest control compared to other formulations.

[0019] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the pest control composition disclosed herein may include additives. Examples of additives include viscosity modifiers, pH modifiers, herbicides, fungicides, and combinations thereof, etc. Different amounts of additives can be used for various applications.

[0020] The pest control composition disclosed herein may include 0.1 wt % to 50.0 wt % of humic acid based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis and water. For example, the pest control composition may include 0.1 wt % or more, or 0.2 wt % or more, or 0.4 wt % or more, or 0.6 wt % or more, or 0.8 wt % or more, or 1.0 wt % or more, or 1.2 wt % or more, or 1.4 wt % or more, or 1.6 wt % or more, or 1.8 wt % or more, or 2.0 wt % or more, or 2.2 wt % or more, or 2.4 wt % or more, or 3.5 wt % or more, or 4.6 wt % or more, or 5.8 wt % or more, or 6.9 wt % or more, or 7.1 wt % or more, or 8.2 wt % or more, or 9.9 wt % or more, or 10.1 wt % or more, or 11.1 wt % or more, or 12.3 wt % or more, or 13.1 wt % or more, or 14.1 wt % or more, or 15.1 wt % or more, or 16.1 wt % or more, or 17.1 wt % or more, or 18.1 wt % or more, or 19.1 wt % or more, or 20.1 wt % or more, or 21.1 wt % or more, or 22.1 wt % or more, or 23.1 wt % or more, or 24.1 wt % or more, or 25.1 wt % or 2.6 wt % or more, or 2.8 wt % or more, or 3.0 wt % or more, or 3.2 wt % or more, or 3.4 wt % or more, or 3.6 wt % or more, or 3.8 wt % or more, or 4.0 wt % or more, or 4.2 wt % or more, or 4.4 wt % or more, or 4.6 wt % or more, or 4.8 wt % or more, or 5.0 wt % or more, or 10 wt % or more, or 20 wt % or more, or 30 wt % or more , or 40 weight % or more, while at the same time, 50 weight % or less, or 40 weight % or less, or 30 weight % or less, or 20 weight % or less, or 10 weight % or less, or 5 weight % or less, or 4.8 weight % or less, or 4.6 weight % or less, or 4.4 weight % or less, or 4.2 weight % or less, or 4.0 weight % or less, or 3.8 weight % or less, or 3.6 weight % or less, or 3.4 weight % or less, or 3.2 weight % or more % or less, or 3.0 wt % or less, or 2.8 wt % or less, or 2.6 wt % or less, or 2.4 wt % or less, or 2.2 wt % or less, or 2.0 wt % or less, or 1.8 wt % or less, or 1.6 wt % or less, or 1.4 wt % or less, or 1.2 wt % or less, or 1.0 wt % or less, or 0.8 wt % or less, or 0.6 wt % or less, or 0.4 wt % or less, or 0.2 wt % or less of humic acid.

[0021] The pest control composition disclosed herein may include 0.01 wt % to 25.00 wt % of Bacillus thuringiensis based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis and water. All individual values ​​and subranges from 0.01 wt % to 25.00 wt % are included; for example, the pest control composition may include a lower limit of 0.01 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.10 wt %, 0.11 wt %, 0.12 wt %, 0.13 wt %, 0.14 wt %, 0.15 wt %, 0.16 wt %, 0.17 wt %, 0.18 wt %, 0.19 wt %, 0.20 wt %, 0.21 wt %, 0.22 wt %, 0.23 wt %, 0.24 wt %, 0.25 wt %, 0.26 wt %, 0.27 wt %, 0.28 wt %, 0.29 wt %, 0.30 wt %, 0.31 wt %, 0.32 wt %, 0.33 wt %, 0.34 wt %, 0.35 wt %, 0.36 wt %, 0.37 wt %, 0.38 wt %, 0.39 wt %, 0.40 wt %, 0.41 wt %, 0.42 wt %, 0.43 wt %, 0.44 wt %, 0.45 wt %, 0.46 wt %, 0.47 wt %, 0.48 wt

[0022] 0.08 wt % or 1.00 wt % to an upper limit of 25.00 wt %, 15.00 wt %, 10.00 wt %, 5.00 wt % or 4.50 wt % of Bacillus thuringiensis.

[0023] The pest control composition disclosed herein may include 25.00 wt % to 99.89 wt % of water based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis and water. All individual values ​​and subranges from 25.00 wt % to 99.89 wt % are included; for example, the pest control composition may include a lower limit of 25.00 wt %, 50.00 wt %, 65.00 wt %, 75.00 wt %, 80.5 wt % to an upper limit of 99.89 wt %, 99.47 wt %, 98.95 wt %, 96.92 wt % or 94.00 wt % of water based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis and water.

[0024] The pest control composition disclosed herein can be formed using known equipment and methods. The components of the pest control composition can be combined (e.g., mixed) to form the pest control composition. For example, the components of the pest control composition can be added to a container and stirred therein. The components of the pest control composition can be combined in any order.

[0025] The pest control composition disclosed herein can be applied to plants (e.g., plant surfaces) to control pests. The pest control composition can be applied to plants using known equipment and methods. For example, among other applications, the pest control composition can be sprayed, sprinkled, and / or poured onto plants. Different amounts of the pest control composition can be applied to plants for various applications.

[0026] The pest control composition can be applied to plants using known equipment and methods. For example, the pest control composition can be sprayed, sprinkled and / or poured onto plants, among other applications. Different amounts of the pest control composition can be applied to plants for various applications.

[0027] The components of the pest control composition can be combined in any order. For example, humic acid can be combined with Bacillus thuringiensis, and then the combination of humic acid and Bacillus thuringiensis can be combined with water. Humic acid can be combined with water, and then the combination of humic acid and water can be combined with Bacillus thuringiensis. Bacillus thuringiensis can be combined with water, and then the combination of Bacillus thuringiensis and water can be combined with humic acid. Humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water can be combined simultaneously.

[0028] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for pest control. The method may include applying a pest control composition to a plant (e.g., a plant surface) to control pests. The method may include applying a pest control composition comprising humic acid, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water to a plant. As discussed, advantageously, the pest control composition disclosed herein may provide improved (i.e., greater) residual bacterial survival after exposure to light (e.g., sunlight) compared to other formulations.

[0029] Example

[0030] In the Examples, various terms and names of materials are used, including, for example, the following:

[0031] Humic acid-1 (humic acid, solution containing 5.2 wt% solids, pH 9.2); Humic acid-2 (humic acid, solution containing 4.8 wt% solids, pH 5.4); Humic acid-3 (humic acid, solution containing 6.0 wt% solids, pH 8.8); Humic acid-4 (humic acid, solid, pH 9.1, measured with 2.5 wt% solution of humic acid-4); Humic acid-5 (humic acid, solid, pH 9.3, measured with 2.5 wt% solution of humic acid-4); Humic acid-6 (humic acid, solution containing 5.6 wt% solids, pH 8.5); Humic acid-7 (humic acid, solution containing 4.4 wt% solids, pH 8.6); Humic acid-8 (humic acid, solution containing 0.6 wt% solids, pH 8.2); THURICIDE TM Bacillus thuringiensis preparation (Pest control agent, liquid preparation, Bacillus thuringiensis, manufactured by CERTIS).

[0032] The humic acid-polyol blend was formed as follows. Humic acid (48.6 g, purchased from SIGMA-ALDRICH TMSolid humic acid) and about 10 weight percent potassium hydroxide were heated to 150° C. in a Parr reactor. Ethylene oxide (888.2 grams) was heated and added to the contents of the reactor at an addition rate of about 0.5 g / min to 1.0 g / min, during which the reactor pressure increased. The addition of ethylene oxide was started and stopped several times during the addition process. After adding about 115 grams of ethylene oxide, the reactor pressure dropped significantly, with corresponding heat output; cooling water was added to maintain the temperature. The addition rate increased by about 4 g / min over time, with minimal pressure increase in the reactor. After adding about 494 grams of ethylene oxide, the addition rate was reduced to 1 g / min for the remainder of the addition. When the ethylene oxide addition was complete, the reactor contents were cooled to 80° C., and the reactor was vented and purged with nitrogen. The bottom valve of the reactor was opened, 53.7 grams of black liquid was collected and discarded, and the bottom valve was closed. The remaining reactor contents solidified upon cooling; 530 mL of deionized water was added to the contents of the reactor to provide a humic acid-polyol blend. 1361.8 grams of the humic acid-polyol blend was removed from the reactor.

[0033] Example 1, a method for forming a pest control composition, was performed as follows. The phenolic group concentration per gram of humic acid was determined as follows; after the concentration was determined, humic acid having a phenolic group concentration of 0.19 mmol / g humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g humic acid was combined with a pest control agent to form a pest control composition. A humic acid solution (0.1 wt % humic acid) was prepared by combining each of humic acid-1, humic acid-2, humic acid-3, humic acid-4, humic acid-5, humic acid-6, humic acid-7, humic acid-8, and a humic acid-polyol blend with water, respectively. An aliquot of each humic acid solution was combined with a test solution, respectively; the test solution contained a 4% copper sulfate solution (excess Cu 2+ Salt; CAS 7758-99-8; purchased from THERMOFISHER TM ; Product No. 23224) and bicinchoninic acid (CAS 1245-13-2; purchased from MILLIPORE SIGMA TM ; Product No. B9643). Phenolic group Cu 2+ Reduced to Cu+ and forms a purple complex with bicinchoninic acid; by using VARIANCARY TM The concentration of the complex formed was determined colorimetrically by measuring the absorbance at 562 nm using a 50UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The concentration of phenolic groups in humic acid was determined from the concentration of Cu+-BCA using hydroquinone as a calibration standard; a linear calibration curve was plotted with the absorbance of hydroquinone on the y-axis against the number of nanomoles of phenolic groups on the x-axis, where y = 0.0104x, and R 2= 0.9989. The phenolic concentration was determined as the number of nanomoles of phenol in the aliquot, which was then converted to millimoles per gram of humic acid using the dilution factor and the mass of humic acid. The results are reported in Table 1.

[0034] Example 2, a pest control composition, was formed as follows. Humic acid-1 solution (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) and THURICIDE TM Bacillus thuringiensis preparation (9.72 mL; 7.35 wt % Bacillus thuringiensis) was added to the container and mixed with a magnetic stir bar to give Example 2.

[0035] Example 3, a pest control composition, was formed as in Example 2, except that Humic Acid-2 (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) was utilized instead of Humic Acid-1.

[0036] Example 4, a pest control composition, was formed as in Example 2, except that Humic Acid-3 (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) was utilized instead of Humic Acid-1.

[0037] Example 5, a pest control composition, was formed as in Example 2, except that Humic Acid-4 (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) was utilized instead of Humic Acid-1.

[0038] Example 6, a pest control composition, was formed as in Example 2, except that Humic Acid-5 (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) was utilized instead of Humic Acid-1.

[0039] Comparative Example A was formed as in Example 2, except that Humic Acid-6 (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) was utilized instead of Humic Acid-1.

[0040] Comparative Example B was formed as in Example 2, except that Humic Acid-7 (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) was utilized instead of Humic Acid-1.

[0041] Comparative Example C was formed as in Example 2, except that Humic Acid-8 (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) was utilized instead of Humic Acid-1.

[0042] Comparative Example D was formed as in Example 2, except that a humic acid-polyol blend (0.28 mL; 2.5 wt % humic acid in water) was utilized instead of Humic Acid-1.

[0043] Comparative Example E was formed as in Example 2, except that Humic Acid-1 was not utilized.

[0044] Remaining bacterial viability was determined after exposure of Examples 2-6 and Comparative Examples AE to light as follows.

[0045] About 3 grams of Examples 2-6 and Comparative Examples AE were used for each sample; the material was spread on a corresponding plastic petri dish and dried for about 1 hour. The samples were exposed to 35 mW / cm 2 For extraction, each sample was placed in a TWEEN TM 20 solution and incubate for about 12 hours. For plating, use 0.1 wt % TWEEN TM The samples were diluted to the desired starting concentration with 20 μL solution and then serially diluted at the appropriate concentration and evenly plated in 10 μL drops. The plates were then kept in an incubator at 30°C for approximately 12 hours. The number of colonies before and after light exposure was counted to determine the remaining bacterial viability after exposure to light. The results are reported in Table 1.

[0046] Table 1

[0047]

[0048]

[0049] The data in Table 1 demonstrate that each of Examples 2-6 had improved remaining bacterial viability after light exposure compared to each of Comparative Examples AE.

Claims

1. A pest control composition, comprising: Humic acid, wherein the humic acid has a phenolic group concentration of 0.19 mmol / g of the humic acid to 1.30 mmol / g of the humic acid; Bacillus thuringiensis; and water.

2. The pest control composition according to claim 1, wherein the humic acid accounts for 0.1 wt% to 5.0 wt% of the pest control composition based on the total weight of the combination of the humic acid, the Bacillus thuringiensis and the water.

3. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the water accounts for 25.00 wt% to 99.89 wt% of the composition based on the total weight of the humic acid, the Bacillus thuringiensis and the water. 4 . The pest control composition according to claim 1 , wherein the humic acid has a phenol group concentration of 0.375 mmol / g of the humic acid to 1.26 mmol / g of the humic acid.

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