Spray-dried pest control composition

Abstract

The present invention provides a spray-dried pest control composition comprising a polymer wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 Daltons to 30,000 Daltons, and wherein the weight average molecular weight of the polymer is greater than the total weight of the polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis, and wherein the weight average molecular weight of the polymer is greater than the total weight of the polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis. The polymer contains from 20% to 100% by weight of monomer structural units derived from a monomer having a log P of from 2.0 to 6.0 wherein the spray-dried pest control composition has an average particle size of from 30 nanometers to 100 microns, as measured using laser diffraction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to spray-dried pest control compositions, and in particular to spray-dried 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. Industry continues to focus on developing new and improved pest control compositions. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the first feature of the present disclosure, a spray-dried pest control composition comprises a polymer, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 30,000 Daltons, and based on the total weight of the polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis, the polymer contains 20% to 100% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0, wherein the spray-dried pest control composition has an average particle size of 30 nanometers to 100 microns, as measured using laser diffraction. According to the second feature of the present disclosure, based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis, the polymer accounts for 50.0% to 99.0% by weight of the composition; and based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis, the pest control agent has 1.0% to 50.0% by weight of Bacillus thuringiensis. According to the third feature of the present disclosure, the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 to 20,000 Daltons. According to a fourth feature of the present disclosure, the spray-dried pest control composition has an average particle size of 1 micrometer to 100 micrometers as measured according to laser diffraction. According to a fifth feature of the present disclosure, the polymer is a copolymer of diisobutylene and maleic anhydride. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] Disclosed herein are spray-dried pest control compositions. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide spray-dried pest control compositions comprising a polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis. As used herein, "spray-dried pest control composition" refers to a composition in which a polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis have been spray-dried.

[0005] Spray-dried compositions may be desirable for many applications. For example, compared with non-spray-dried compositions comprising liquid, spray-dried compositions can advantageously reduce associated storage space volumes. In addition, for example, compared with non-spray-dried compositions comprising liquid, spray-dried compositions can advantageously reduce processing and / or transportation requirements. However, not all compositions are suitable for spray drying.

[0006] The spray-dried compositions disclosed herein can be used for pest control. For example, the spray-dried compositions can be mixed with water to form an aqueous pest control composition. Such aqueous pest control compositions can be applied to plants, such as plant surfaces, to control pests. Advantageously, compared with other formulations, the pest control compositions disclosed herein can provide improved (i.e., larger) residual protein concentrations for Bacillus thuringiensis after exposure to rainwater. The improved residual protein concentrations show that, compared with other formulations, the aqueous pest control compositions disclosed herein can provide improved pest control.

[0007] In addition, compared to other formulations, the aqueous pest control composition comprising the spray-dried composition disclosed herein can provide improved, i.e., retain higher, Bacillus thuringiensis activity after exposure to rainwater. The retained improved Bacillus thuringiensis activity indicates that the aqueous pest control composition disclosed herein can provide improved pest control compared to other formulations.

[0008] The spray-dried pest control composition disclosed herein may include a polymer. As used herein, "one" refers to one or more, unless otherwise specified. As used herein, a "polymer" has two or more identical or different monomer structural units derived from two or more different monomers, such as copolymers, terpolymers, etc. As used herein, "monomer structural unit" with respect to a polymer represents a part of a polymer structure produced by one or more monomer reactions to form a polymer. "Different" with respect to a monomer structural unit indicates that the monomer structural units differ from each other by at least one atom or isomer. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the monomer structural units of a polymer are produced by the polymerization reaction of a monomer, i.e., formed. The monomer structural units provided by one or more embodiments may undergo one or more reactions, such as a hydrolysis reaction, after the polymerization reaction.

[0009] The polymer may have a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 Daltons to 30,000 Daltons. For example, the polymer can have a molecular weight of 10,000 Daltons or greater, or 11,000 Daltons or greater, or 12,000 Daltons or greater, or 13,000 Daltons or greater, or 14,000 Daltons or greater, or 15,000 Daltons or greater, or 16,000 Daltons or greater, or 17,000 Daltons or greater, or 18,000 Daltons or greater, or 19,000 Daltons or greater, or 20,000 Daltons or greater, or 21,000 Daltons or greater, or 22,000 Daltons or greater, or 23,000 Daltons or greater, or 24,000 Daltons or greater, or 25,000 Daltons or greater, or 26,000 Daltons or greater, or 27,000 Daltons or greater, or 28,000 Daltons or greater, or 29,000 Daltons or greater, At the same time, 30,000 Daltons or less, or 29,000 Daltons or less, or 28,000 Daltons or less, or 27,000 Daltons or less, or 26,000 Daltons or less, or 25,000 Daltons or less, or 24,000 Daltons or less, or 23,000 Daltons or less, or 22,000 Daltons or less, or 21,000 Daltons or less, or 20,000 Daltons or less, or 19,000 Daltons or less, or 18,000 Daltons or less, or 17,000 Daltons or less, or 16,000 Daltons or less, or 15,000 Daltons or less, or 14,000 Daltons or less, or 13,000 Daltons or less, or 12,000 Daltons or less, or 11,000 Daltons or less. The weight average molecular weight of the polymer is determined using gel permeation chromatography.

[0010] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide polymers containing 20% ​​to 100% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers (i.e., one or more monomers) having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0, based on the total weight of the polymer. For example, the polymer can contain 20% by weight or more, or 25% by weight or more, or 30% by weight or more, or 35% by weight or more, or 40% by weight or more, or 45% by weight or more, or 50% by weight or more, or 55% by weight or more, or 60% by weight or more, or 65% by weight or more, or 70% by weight or more, or 75% by weight or more, or 80% by weight or more, or 85% by weight or more, or 90% by weight or more, or 95% by weight or more. , while at the same time, 100 wt % or less, or 95 wt % or less, or 90 wt % or less, or 85 wt % or less, or 80 wt % or less, or 75 wt % or less, or 70 wt % or less, or 65 wt % or less, or 60 wt % or less, or 55 wt % or less, or 50 wt % or less, or 45 wt % or less, or 40 wt % or less, or 35 wt % or less, or 30 wt % or less, or 25 wt % or less of monomers having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0.

[0011] The polymer may contain greater than 90% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P greater than 1.0.

[0012] For example, the polymer may contain 91 wt % or more, or 92 wt % or more, or 93 wt % or more, or 94 wt % or more, or 95 wt % or more, or 96 wt % or more, or 97 wt % or more, or 98 wt % or more, or 99 wt % or more, while 100 wt % or less, or 99 wt % or less, or 98 wt % or less, or 97 wt % or less, or 96 wt % or less, or 95 wt % or less, or 94 wt % or less, or 93 wt % or less, or 92 wt % or less, or 91 wt % or less of monomers having a log P of 1.0 or greater.

[0013] One or more of the monomer structural units may have 1.0 or more, or 1.2 or more, or 1.4 or more, or 1.6 or more, or 1.8 or more, or 2.0 or more, or 2.2 or more, or 2.4 or more, or 2.6 or more, or 2.8 or more, or 3.0 or more, or 3.2 or more, or 3.4 or more, or 3.6 or more, or 3.8 or more, or 4.0 or more, or 4.2 or more, or 4.4 or more, or 4.6 or more, or 4.8 or more, or 5.0 or more, or 5.2 or more, or 5.4 or more, or 5.6 or more, or 5.8 or greater, while at the same time, 6.0 or less, or 5.8 or less, or 5.6 or less, or 5.4 or less, or 5.2 or less, or 5.0 or less, or 4.8 or less, or 4.6 or less, or 4.4 or less, or 4.2 or less, or 4.0 or less, or 3.8 or less, or 3.6 or less, or 3.4 or less, or 3.2 or less, or 3.0 or less, or 2.8 or less, or 2.6 or less, or 2.4 or less, or 2.2 or less, or 2.0 or less, or 1.8 or less, or 1.6 or less, or 1.4 or less, or 1.2 or less of log P. Log P values ​​were obtained by utilizing the Evaluation Program Interface (EPI) Suite available at https: / / www.epa.gov / tsca-screening-tools / epi-suitetm-estimation-program-interface TM (KOWWIN version 1.68) to determine.

[0014] Exemplary monomers for the polymer include diisobutylene (log P of 4.08), butyl methacrylate (log P of 2.75), butyl acrylate (log P of 2.20), methyl methacrylate (log P of 1.28), ethyl acrylate (log P of 1.22), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (log P of 4.09), styrene (log P of 2.89), maleic anhydride (log P of 1.62), behenyl methacrylate (log P of 11.59), and combinations thereof.

[0015] The polymer may include structural units from one or more of itaconic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, acryloxypropionic acid, citraconic acid, methyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

[0016] The polymer can be prepared using known equipment, reaction components and reaction conditions. For example, the polymer can be prepared by known polymerization (e.g., solution polymerization). The solution polymerization of the monomer (i.e., the monomer discussed herein) can be carried out in, for example, a non-aqueous solvent. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, toluene, xylene, propylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, and combinations thereof. The solution polymerization may include a solvent-soluble initiator. Examples of initiators include, but are not limited to, t-butylperoctoate, t-butylperoctoate, AIBN, 2,2-azobis(2,4-dimethyl-valeronitrile), t-butyl peroxybenzoate, and combinations thereof. For example, based on the total weight of the monomers utilized in the solution polymerization, 0.01 wt % to 1.00 wt % of the initiator can be used. The solution polymerization may utilize a chain transfer agent. Examples of chain transfer agents include, but are not limited to, 2-mercaptoethanol, 3-methylmercaptopropionic acid, n-dodecyl mercaptan, t-dodecyl mercaptan, and combinations thereof. For example, 0.01 wt % to 5.00 wt % of a chain transfer agent can be used, based on the total weight of monomers utilized in the solution polymerization. The use of a mercaptan modifier can reduce the molecular weight of the polymer. Other known components can be used in solution polymerization; varying amounts of these other known components can be used for various applications.

[0017] The polymer can be prepared by known polymerization (e.g., emulsion polymerization). Emulsion polymerization can utilize a surfactant. Examples of surfactants include, but are not limited to, anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and ethoxylated sulfosuccinic acid. 10 ] alcohol half ester sodium and their combinations. For example, based on the total weight of the monomers used in the emulsion polymerization, 0.5 wt % to 6.0 wt % of the surfactant can be used. For example, the emulsion polymerization can utilize an initiator, such as a water-soluble initiator. Examples of initiators include, but are not limited to, alkali metal persulfates, ammonium persulfate, and combinations thereof. Based on the total weight of the monomers used in the emulsion polymerization, 0.01 wt % to 1.00 wt % of the initiator can be utilized. The emulsion polymerization can utilize chain transfer mercaptan. Examples of chain transfer mercaptan include, but are not limited to, 2-mercaptopropionic acid, 3-methylmercaptopropionic acid, alkyl mercaptan containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof. Based on the total weight of the monomers used in the emulsion polymerization, 0.01 wt % to 5.00 wt % of the chain transfer mercaptan can be utilized. The use of a mercaptan modifier can reduce the molecular weight of the polymer. Other known components can be used for emulsion polymerization; different amounts of these other known components can be used for various applications.

[0018] The polymers are commercially available under various trade names.

[0019] As described above, the monomer building blocks of the polymers described herein may undergo one or more reactions after the polymerization reaction (eg, a hydrolysis reaction). The hydrolysis reaction may include, for example, the hydrolysis of an ester to an acid or the ring opening of an anhydride to an acid.

[0020] The spray-dried pest control composition disclosed herein comprises 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.

[0021] The spray-dried pest control composition can include 50.0% to 99.0% by weight of the polymer, based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer and the Bacillus thuringiensis. For example, the spray-dried pest control composition can include 50% by weight or more, or 55% by weight or more, or 60% by weight or more, or 65% by weight or more, or 70% by weight or more, or 75% by weight or more, or 80% by weight or more, or 85% by weight or more, or 90% by weight or more, or 95% by weight or more, while at the same time, 99% by weight or less, or 95% by weight or less, or 90% by weight or less, or 85% by weight or less, or 80% by weight or less, or 75% by weight or less, or 70% by weight or less, or 65% by weight or less, or 60% by weight or less, or 55% by weight or less of the polymer, based on the total weight of the spray-dried composition.

[0022] The spray-dried pest control composition may include 1.0 wt % to 50.0 wt % of Bacillus thuringiensis, based on the total weight of the combination of polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis. For example, the spray-dried pest control composition may include 1 wt % or more, or 5 wt % or more, or 10 wt % or more, or 15 wt % or more, or 20 wt % or more, or 25 wt % or more, or 30 wt % or more, or 35 wt % or more, or 40 wt % or more, or 45 wt % or more, while at the same time, 50 wt % or less, or 45 wt % or less, or 40 wt % or less, or 35 wt % or less, or 30 wt % or less, or 25 wt % or less, or 20 wt % or less, or 15 wt % or less, or 10 wt % or less, or 5 wt % or less of Bacillus thuringiensis, based on the total weight of the spray-dried composition.

[0023] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the spray-dried pest control composition disclosed herein may include additives. Examples of additives include viscosity modifiers, pH modifiers, herbicides, fungicides, surfactants, humectants, drying aids, inert solids, and combinations thereof. Different amounts of additives can be used for various applications.

[0024] The spray-dried pest control composition disclosed herein, comprising a polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis, can be prepared using known spray-drying equipment, spray-drying components, and spray-drying conditions.

[0025] For example, spray drying can include forming spray particles from a liquid by spraying through a nozzle or by utilizing a centrifuge, such as atomization, wherein the liquid is delivered to a centrifugal rotating disk. The spray particles can be dried using an air stream. For example, the air stream can include air or nitrogen. For different applications, spray drying can be performed at different temperatures. For example, spray drying can be performed at a temperature of 20° C. to 200° C.

[0026] The spray-dried pest control composition (i.e., spray-dried particles) provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure has an average particle size of 30 nanometers to 100 microns. All individual values ​​and subranges of 30 nanometers to 100 microns are included; for example, the spray-dried pest control composition may have an average particle size with a lower limit of 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 80 or 100 nanometers to an upper limit of 100, 75, 50, 25, 10, 5 or 2 microns. In addition, the average particle size may be 1 micron to 100 microns. As used herein, "average particle size" includes "average equivalent spherical diameter" (e.g., for non-spherical particles). Use BECKMAN COULTER TM LS13320 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer measures the average particle size by laser diffraction.

[0027] The spray-dried pest control composition provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be a powder. As used herein, "powder" refers to a non-sticky solid composition. For example, based on the total weight of the powder, the powder may contain less than about 20% by weight of moisture, such as a non-solid. Based on the total weight of the powder, the powder may contain less than 10% by weight of moisture, less than about 5% by weight of moisture, or less than about 3% by weight of moisture. The spray-dried composition disclosed herein can be a flowable powder. As used herein, "flowable" refers to the ability of the composition to be transported (e.g., capable of being transported from a storage container) by gravity or by conventional machinery or pneumatic pumping.

[0028] As described above, the spray-dried composition disclosed herein can be mixed with water to form an aqueous pest control composition. Such aqueous pest control compositions can be applied to plants, such as plant surfaces, to control pests. The aqueous pest control compositions disclosed herein can be formed using known equipment and methods. The components of the aqueous pest control composition can be combined (e.g., mixed) to form an aqueous pest control composition. For example, the components of the aqueous pest control composition can be added to a container and stirred therein. The components of the aqueous pest control composition can be combined in any order.

[0029] Advantageously, the pest control compositions disclosed herein can provide improved (i.e., greater) residual protein concentrations for Bacillus thuringiensis after exposure to rainwater compared to other formulations. In addition, advantageously, the aqueous pest control compositions comprising the spray-dried compositions disclosed herein can provide improved, i.e., retain higher, Bacillus thuringiensis activity after exposure to rainwater compared to other formulations.

[0030] Based on the total weight of the combination of the spray-dried pest control composition and water, the aqueous pest control composition disclosed herein may include 0.10 wt % to 20.00 wt % of the spray-dried pest control composition. All individual values ​​and subranges from 0.10 wt % to 20.00 wt % are included; for example, based on the total weight of the combination of the spray-dried pest control composition and water, the aqueous pest control composition may include a lower limit of 0.10 wt %, 0.30 wt % or 0.50 wt % to an upper limit of 20.00 wt %, 15.00 wt % or 10.00 wt % of the polymer.

[0031] Based on the total weight of the combination of the spray-dried pest control composition and water, the aqueous pest control composition disclosed herein may include 80.00 wt % to 99.90 wt % of water. Including all individual values ​​and subranges from 80.00 wt % to 99.89 wt %; for example, based on the total weight of the combination of the spray-dried pest control composition and water, the aqueous pest control composition may include a lower limit of 80.00 wt %, 85.00 wt % or 90.00 wt % to an upper limit of 99.90 wt %, 99.70 wt % or 98.50 wt % of water.

[0032] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the spray-dried pest control composition disclosed herein may include additives. Examples of additives include viscosity modifiers, pH modifiers, herbicides, fungicides, surfactants, humectants, drying aids, inert solids, and combinations thereof. Different amounts of additives can be used for various applications.

[0033] The aqueous pest control composition disclosed herein can be applied to plants (e.g., plant surfaces) to control pests. The aqueous pest control composition can be applied to plants using known equipment and methods. For example, in addition to other applications, the aqueous pest control composition can be sprayed, sprinkled, and / or poured onto plants. Different amounts of aqueous pest control compositions can be applied to plants for various applications. As described above, advantageously, compared to other formulations, the pest control composition disclosed herein can provide an improved (i.e., greater) residual protein concentration for Bacillus thuringiensis after exposure to rainwater.

[0034] Example

[0035] In the Examples, various terms and names of materials are used, including, for example, the following:

[0036] THURICIDE TM Bacillus thuringiensis formulations (Pest Control, Liquid, Bacillus thuringiensis, manufactured by Certis); RHOPLEX TM VSR-50 acrylic emulsion (obtained from The Dow Chemical Company); BOND MAX TM Spreader / adhesive formulation (obtained from Loveland Products); NU FILM P TM Adhesion-extension aid (obtained from Miller Chemical & Fertilizer Corporation).

[0037] Polymer-1 is formed as follows. A copolymer derived from diisobutylene and maleic anhydride is formed by solution polymerization. The weight % of polymer-1 formed from monomer structural units of diisobutylene is 45 weight % to 55 weight %, and the remainder is maleic anhydride. The polymer is hydrolyzed with aqueous ammonia to obtain polymer-1. Polymer-1 has a weight average molecular weight of about 16,500 Daltons.

[0038] Example 1, a spray-dried pest control composition, was formed as follows. Polymer-1 (11.6 g) and THURICIDE TM (88.4 g) was added to a container and stirred to obtain a preparation; a peristaltic pump (Masterflex L / S) was used to feed the preparation into the MOBILE MINOR TM In a spray dryer (GEA Process Engineering Inc.). A fountain-type two-fluid nozzle atomizer was installed on the spray dryer. The nitrogen pressure supplied to the nozzle atomizer was fixed at 1 bar and the flow rate was 50%, which was equivalent to a flow rate of 100 L / min. The inlet temperature was set to 120°C, while the outlet temperature was balanced between 40°C and 50°C at a fixed liquid feed rate (20 g / min); the output of the spray dryer was collected by a cyclone separator connected to the spray dryer to obtain Example 1. The average particle size of Example 1 measured using laser diffraction was about 41.19 microns. Visually observed that Example 1 was a flowable powder.

[0039] Comparative Example A was formed as in Example 1, except that RHOPLEX TM VSR-50 emulsion (5.6 g) instead of Polymer-1 and utilizing THURICIDE TM Bacillus thuringiensis preparation (94.4 g).

[0040] Comparative Example B was formed as in Example 1, except that NU FILM P was used. TM Adhesion-extension aids instead of polymer-1. However, spray-dried NU FILM P TM Adhesion-Extension Additives and THURICIDE TM Solutions of Bacillus thuringiensis preparations are not available as spray-dried powders.

[0041] Comparative Example C was formed as in Example 1, except that BOND MAX TM Spreader / adhesive formulation instead of Polymer-1. However, spray-dried BOND MAX TM Spreader / adhesive formulations and THURICIDE TM Solutions of Bacillus thuringiensis preparations are not available as spray-dried powders.

[0042] Comparative Example D was formed as Example 1, except that Polymer-1 was not utilized.

[0043] Example 2, an aqueous pest control composition, was formed as follows: Example 1 was diluted with water to obtain a mixture having a concentration of 71.4 g / L of the pest control agent (Bacillus thuringiensis) to obtain Example 2.

[0044] Comparative Example E was formed as Example 2, except that Comparative Example A was utilized instead of Example 1.

[0045] Comparative Example F was formed as follows: Comparative Example D was combined with water and mixed with a magnetic stir bar to provide a mixture having a concentration of 71.4 g / L of pest control agent.

[0046] The residual protein concentration and pest control agent (Bacillus thuringiensis) activity of Example 2 and Comparative Examples E and F were determined as follows; since the spray-dried powders of these Comparative Examples were not available, the residual protein concentration and pest control agent activity of the aqueous pest control compositions formed from Comparative Examples BC were not determined.

[0047] Parafilm sheets (2 inches by 4 inches) were placed on black Leneta cards, and Kimwipes were gently rubbed on the parafilm before removing the parafilm paper. 15 drops (15 μL to 30 μL) of Example 2 and Comparative Examples E and F were randomly placed on the corresponding parafilm in an array using an automatic pipette, with one parafilm used for each example / comparative example; the samples were vortexed between each group of 5 drops to maintain the consistency of the composition. The parafilm was then dried in an incubator at about 28°C for about 1 hour.

[0048] The dried paraffin films were then subjected to simulated rainfall as follows. Each dried paraffin film was placed in an EXOTERRA MONSOON TM RS400 Rainfall System (with 2 EXO TERRA standard nozzles without any extensions); the parafilm was 13 inches from the spray nozzle. Water was sprayed on the parafilm at a flow rate of 1.5 liters / hour and measured at the substrate interface for 5 minutes; afterward, the parafilm was allowed to dry.

[0049] After exposure to simulated rainfall, the samples were extracted. For extraction, each of the corresponding parafilms was cut so that each point created by the drop was centered on about 0.25 square inches. For each corresponding parafilm, all cut dashed squares were placed in a glass vial, to which sodium dodecyl sulfate solution (1 ml, 2 wt% sodium dodecyl sulfate in water) was added. Each glass vial was then sonicated and soaked for about 8 hours. The sonication was repeated three times for extraction.

[0050] Residual protein concentration was determined by bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) as follows.

[0051] PIERCE TM BCA Protein Assay Reagent A and PIERCE TM BCA Protein Assay Reagent B (both obtained from Thermo Scientific) was prepared by combining Reagent A (2 ml) and Reagent B (40 μl) to form a reagent mixture.

[0052] One hundred (100) microliters of each extraction sample was placed in a corresponding cuvette; the reagent mixture (2 milliliters) was then added to each cuvette; and the cuvettes were then incubated at 30°C for approximately 2 hours. TM The residual protein concentration was determined by measuring the absorbance at 562 nm using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The results are reported in Table 1.

[0053] Table 1

[0054]

[0055] The data in Table 1 illustrate that Example 2 has an improved (ie, greater) residual protein concentration compared to both Comparative Examples E and F.

[0056] Use 0.1 wt% TWEEN TM The solutions of Example 2 and Comparative Examples E and F extracted as above were diluted to the desired starting concentrations and then serially diluted and plated at appropriate concentrations. The resulting pest control agent activities are reported in Table 2.

[0057] Table 2

[0058]

[0059] The data in Table 2 illustrate that Example 2 has improved (ie, greater) retained pest control activity compared to both Comparative Examples E and F.

Claims

1. A spray-dried pest control composition comprising: A polymer, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 30,000 Daltons and contains 20 to 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of the polymer, of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0; and Bacillus thuringiensis, wherein the spray-dried pest control composition has an average particle size of 30 nanometers to 100 micrometers as measured using laser diffraction.

2. The spray-dried pest control composition according to claim 1, in: The polymer comprises 50.0 wt % to 99.0 wt % of the composition, based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer and the Bacillus thuringiensis; and The Bacillus thuringiensis comprises 1.0 wt % to 50.0 wt % of the composition, based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer and the Bacillus thuringiensis.

3. The spray-dried pest control composition of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 to 20,000 Daltons.

4. The spray-dried pest control composition of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the spray-dried pest control composition has an average particle size of 1 to 100 microns as measured using laser diffraction.

5. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polymer is a copolymer of diisobutylene and maleic anhydride.

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