Pest control composition

Abstract

The pest control composition contains humic acid and an emulsion polymer. The emulsion polymer contains methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid and vinyl toluene. The pest control composition also contains Bacillus thuringiensis and water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to pest control compositions, and more specifically to pest control compositions containing Bacillus thuringiensis.

Background Art

[0002] Pest control agents are used to control pests such as insects. The effectiveness of pest control agents can be affected by many factors. Industrially, the development of new and improved pest control compositions continues to be focused on.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first feature of the present disclosure, the pest control composition includes humic acid, an emulsion polymer containing methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and vinyl toluene, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. According to a second feature of the present disclosure, the humic acid is 0.01 wt% to 5.00 wt% of the pest control composition based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. According to a third feature of the present disclosure, the emulsion polymer is 0.10 wt% to 10.00 wt% of the pest control composition based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. According to a fourth feature of the present disclosure, the emulsion polymer has acrylic acid of 10 wt% or less based on the weight of the emulsion polymer. According to a fifth feature of the present disclosure, the emulsion polymer has an average particle size of 50 nanometers to 300 nanometers as measured by the dynamic light scattering method.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0004] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in a listing of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be used by itself or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can 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 include their endpoints. Subscripted values in polymer formulas refer to the molar average value of the specified component in the polymer.

[0006] Test methods refer to the latest test methods at the priority date of this document unless the date is indicated by a two-digit number with a hyphen in the test method number. References to test methods include both a reference to the association of the test and the test method number. Test method organizations are referred to by one of the following abbreviations: ASTM refers to ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials), EN refers to European Norm, DIN refers to Deutsches Institut fur Normung, and ISO refers to International Organization for Standards.

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

[0008] A pest control composition is disclosed herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the pest control composition includes humic acid, an emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0009] The pest control composition disclosed herein can be applied to a plant, for example, to the surface of a plant, to control pests. Advantageously, the pest control composition disclosed herein can provide improved, i.e., higher Bacillus thuringiensis activity, after exposure to light, such as sunlight, compared to other formulations. The improved Bacillus thuringiensis activity indicates that the pest control composition disclosed herein can provide higher pest control compared to other formulations that have relatively low Bacillus thuringiensis activity after exposure to light. Surprisingly, the components of the pest control composition disclosed herein, namely, humic acid, an emulsion polymer, and Bacillus thuringiensis, exhibit an unexpected synergistic effect for improving the Bacillus thuringiensis activity after exposure to light.

[0010] The pest control composition disclosed herein includes humic acid. Humic acid is an acidic organic polymer that can be extracted from humus, sediment, or an aquatic environment found in soil. Humic acid is identified by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number 1415-93-6 and has an average chemical formula of C 187 H 186 O 89 N 9 S 1 . Examples of commercially available humic acids include, but are not limited to, products available from Sigma-Aldrich or Fisher Scientific.

[0011] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that humic acid can be a solid incorporated, for example, into the pest control compositions disclosed herein. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that humic acid can be a mixture incorporated into the pest control compositions disclosed herein, for example, a mixture of humic acid and a liquid such as water. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that humic acid can be a solution incorporated into the pest control compositions disclosed herein, for example, a solution of humic acid in a liquid such as water. Combinations of solids, mixtures, and solutions may be utilized. Humic acid can have various pH values for various applications.

[0012] The pest control compositions disclosed herein include an emulsion polymer. As used herein, "polymer" has two or more identical or different monomer structural units derived from a plurality of monomers (e.g., homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers, etc.). The "monomer structural unit" as used herein with respect to a polymer refers to a part of the polymer structure resulting from the reaction of the monomer(s) for forming the polymer. When referring to monomer structural units, "different" indicates that the monomer polymer structural units differ from each other by at least one atom or are isomerically different.

[0013] The emulsion polymer can be prepared using emulsion polymerization, for example, using known apparatus, reaction components, and reaction conditions. The emulsion polymer can be a component of a stable dispersion of polymer particles in water, which may be referred to as a latex and / or an emulsion. Suitable latexes include stable aqueous dispersions of acrylic, styrene-acrylic, vinyl ester-acrylic, alkyd, and vinyl ester-polyethylene latexes.

[0014] One or more embodiments provide that the emulsion polymer can be an acrylic emulsion polymer. As used herein, "acrylic emulsion polymer" refers to a polymer having 20 wt% or more of monomer structural units derived from acrylic monomers, based on the total weight of the polymer. As used herein, "acrylic" refers to an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid derivative (including esters, amides, etc.). "Acrylic" includes methacrylic.

[0015] As described above, the emulsion polymer can include monomer structural units derived from acrylic monomers, such as acrylic acid monomers. Examples of acrylic monomers include, but are not limited to, butyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, docosyl methacrylate, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, crotonic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, acryloxypropionic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, acryloxypropionic acid, citraconic acid, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers can be utilized. The emulsion polymer can include up to 10 wt% acrylic acid, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer.

[0016] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion polymer can contain monomer structural units derived from additional monomers. Examples of additional monomers include, but are not limited to, styrene, ethylene, diisobutylene, vinyl acetate, vinyl toluene, and combinations thereof.

[0017] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion polymer can include monomer structural units derived from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt% of adhesion promoting monomers. Examples of adhesion promoting monomers include, among others, ureido methacrylate.

[0018] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion polymer can include monomer structural units derived from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt% of a crosslinkable monomer. Examples of the crosslinkable monomer include, among others, allyl methacrylate.

[0019] The emulsion polymer can include monomer structural units derived from 20 wt% to 100 wt% of an acrylic acid monomer, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer. All individual values and subranges of 20 wt% to 100 wt% are included. For example, the monomer structural units derived from the acrylic acid monomer can have a lower limit of 20 wt%, 25 wt%, 28 wt%, 30 wt%, 32 wt%, 35 wt%, or 40 wt% to an upper limit of 100 wt%, 95 wt%, 90 wt%, 85 wt%, 80 wt%, 75 wt%, 70 wt%, or 65 wt%, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer.

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion polymer can contain monomer structural units derived from additional monomers, i.e., when less than 100 wt% of the monomer structural units are derived from acrylic monomers. The emulsion polymer can contain monomer structural units derived from 1 wt% to 80 wt% of additional monomers, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer. All individual values and subranges of 1 wt% to 80 wt% are included. For example, the emulsion polymer can have monomer structural units derived from additional monomers with a lower limit of 1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, or 20 wt% to an upper limit of 80 wt%, 75 wt%, 70 wt%, 68 wt%, or 65 wt%, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion polymer may contain monomer structural units derived from an adhesion promoting monomer, i.e., when less than 100% by weight of the monomer structural units are derived from acrylic monomers. The emulsion polymer may contain monomer structural units derived from 0.1% to 5.0% by weight of the adhesion promoting monomer, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer. All individual values and subranges of 0.1% to 5.0% by weight are included. For example, the emulsion polymer may have monomer structural units derived from the adhesion promoting monomer ranging from a lower limit of 0.1% by weight, 0.2% by weight, or 0.3% by weight to an upper limit of 5.0% by weight, 4.0% by weight, or 3.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer.

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion polymer may contain monomer structural units derived from a crosslinking monomer, i.e., when less than 100% by weight of the monomer structural units are derived from acrylic monomers. The emulsion polymer may contain monomer structural units derived from 0.1% to 5.0% by weight of the crosslinking monomer, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer. All individual values and subranges of 0.1% to 5.0% by weight are included. For example, the emulsion polymer may have monomer structural units derived from the crosslinking monomer ranging from a lower limit of 0.1% by weight, 0.2% by weight, or 0.3% by weight to an upper limit of 5.0% by weight, 4.0% by weight, or 3.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the emulsion polymer.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion polymer has a weight average molecular weight (M w ) of 10,000 Daltons to 3,000,000 Daltons. All individual values and subranges of 10,000 Daltons to 3,000,000 Daltons are included. For example, the acrylic polymer may have an M wIt may have. The weight-average molecular weight of the emulsion polymer is determined using gel permeation chromatography.

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion polymer has an average particle size of 30 nanometers to 10 microns, and the emulsion polymer has an average particle size of 30 nanometers to 10 microns as measured using dynamic light scattering. All individual values and subranges from 30 microns to 10 microns are included. For example, the emulsion polymer may have an average particle size of 30, 40, or 50 nanometers at the lower limit to 10, 5, or 2 microns, or 300 nanometers at the upper limit. The particle size herein is measured by dynamic light scattering in a BROOKHAVEN (trademark) BI-90 Plus particle size analyzer.

[0025] As described above, the emulsion polymer may be a component of the emulsion. The emulsion may be commercially obtained or prepared by known methods, such as conventional emulsion polymerization.

[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the emulsion can have a solids content of 30 wt% to 60 wt% based on the total weight of the emulsion. All individual values and subranges from 30 wt% to 60 wt% are included. For example, the emulsion can have a solids content of 30 wt%, 32 wt%, or 35 wt% at the lower limit to 60 wt%, 55 wt%, or 45 wt% at the upper limit based on the total weight of the emulsion. One or more embodiments provide that the emulsion is an aqueous emulsion.

[0027] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification contains Bacillus thuringiensis. As defined herein, "Bacillus thuringiensis" is spores and / or crystallized proteins of the species Bacillus thuringiensis, and includes all subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis that exhibit insecticidal properties. Examples of such subspecies include kurstaki, israelensis, and aizawa. Bacillus thuringiensis can be added to an insecticidal formulation as part of a solid or liquid formulation. The presence and subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis are determined by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. A commercially available liquid formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis is the THURICIDE™ insecticide marketed by CERTIS USA (Columbia, Maryland). Bacillus thuringiensis can produce insecticidal crystal proteins, such as Cry proteins and Cyt proteins, by sporulation. Greater activity after exposure to light can desirably provide improved pest control.

[0028] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure stipulate that the pest control composition disclosed herein can contain additives. Examples of additives include, among others, viscosity modifiers, pH adjusters, herbicides, fungicides, and combinations thereof. Different amounts of additives can be utilized for various applications.

[0029] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can contain 0.01% to 5.00% by weight of humic acid, based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. All individual values and subranges from 0.01% to 5.00% by weight are included. For example, the pest control composition can contain from a lower limit of 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.10%, or 0.15% by weight to an upper limit of 5.00%, 4.00%, 3.50%, or 3.00% by weight of humic acid, based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0030] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can contain 0.10% to 10.00% by weight of an emulsion polymer based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. All individual values and sub-ranges from 0.10% to 10.00% by weight are included. For example, the pest control composition can contain an emulsion polymer with a lower limit of 0.10% by weight, 0.30% by weight, or 0.50% by weight to an upper limit of 10.00% by weight, 9.00% by weight, or 8.00% by weight based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0031] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can contain 0.01% to 20.00% by weight of Bacillus thuringiensis based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. All individual values and sub-ranges from 0.01% to 20.00% by weight are included. For example, the pest control composition can contain Bacillus thuringiensis with a lower limit of 0.01% by weight, 0.03% by weight, 0.04% by weight, or 0.05% by weight to an upper limit of 20.00% by weight, 15.00% by weight, 10.00% by weight, or 5.00% by weight based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0032] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can contain 65.00% to 99.88% by weight of water based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. All individual values and sub-ranges from 65.00% to 99.88% by weight are included. For example, the pest control composition can contain water with a lower limit of 65.00% by weight, 66.00% by weight, or 68.00% by weight to an upper limit of 99.88% by weight, 99.00% by weight, or 98.00% by weight based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0033] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can be formed using known devices and processes. The components of the pest control composition may be combined, for example, mixed, to form the pest control composition. For example, the components of the pest control composition may be added to a container and stirred therein. The components of the pest control composition can be combined in any order.

[0034] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can be applied to plants, for example, on the surface of plants, to control pests. The pest control composition may be applied to plants using known devices and methods. For example, the pest control composition may be sprayed, dispersed, and / or poured onto plants, among other applications. For various applications, various amounts of the pest control composition can be applied to plants.

Examples

[0035] In the examples, for example, various terms and names related to materials are used, including the following.

[0036] Emulsion - 1 (an emulsion containing an emulsion polymer including the following. Monomer structural units including monomer structural units derived from the following: methyl methacrylate (40.9% by weight), butyl acrylate (54.9% by weight), adhesion promoter (1.0% by weight), vinyl toluene (1.9% by weight), and acrylic acid (1.3% by weight)); THURICID (trademark) (liquid formulation, Bacillus thuringiensis, obtained from Certis); Humic acid - 1 (humic acid, solid, pH 9.3, measured with a 2.5% by weight solution of Humic acid - 1); Humic acid - 2 (solid humic acid obtained from SIGMA - ALDRICH (trademark)); polyethylene oxide - functionalized lignin.

[0037] The pest control composition of Example 1 was formed as follows. Emulsion - 1 was diluted with deionized water to obtain a solution (5% by weight emulsion polymer in water). The solution (1 mL), THURICID (trademark) (9.38 mL), and Humic acid - 1 (0.26 mL) were added to a container and mixed with a magnetic stir bar to obtain Example 1.

[0038] The pest control composition of Example 2 was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that humic acid-2 (0.26 mL) was used instead of humic acid-1.

[0039] Comparative Example A was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that emulsion-1 was not used.

[0040] Comparative Example B was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that humic acid-2 (0.26 mL) was used instead of humic acid-1 and emulsion-1 was not used.

[0041] Comparative Example C was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that polyethylene oxide-functionalized lignin was used instead of emulsion-1.

[0042] Comparative Example D was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that polyethylene oxide-functionalized lignin was used in combination with emulsion-1.

[0043] The Bacillus thuringiensis activities before and after exposure to light of Example 1, 2 and Comparative Examples A - D were determined as follows.

[0044] Using an automatic pipette, 30 μL droplets of each of Example 1, 2 and Comparative Examples A - D were placed on a plastic Petri dish. The droplets were dried for about 1 hour.

[0045] For the samples exposed to light, the dried droplets were exposed to light of 35 milliwatts / cm 2 for 2 hours.

[0046] Samples that had not been exposed to light and samples that had been exposed to light were extracted and plated. For extraction, each sample was placed in a 1 wt% solution of TWEEN® 20 and incubated for about 12 hours. For plating, the samples were diluted to the desired starting concentration using a 0.1 wt% solution of TWEEN® 20, then serially diluted at appropriate concentrations and plated uniformly with 10 μL droplets. The plates were then held in an incubator at 30 °C for about 12 hours. Thereafter, the colony counts were determined taking into account the dilution factor and expressed as log colony forming units / mL. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3. [Table 1]

[0047] The data in Table 1 show that Example 1 had an improved Bacillus thuringiensis activity after light exposure, i.e., 3.0 times greater, compared to Comparative Example A. [Table 2]

[0048] The data in Table 2 show that Example 2 had an improved Bacillus thuringiensis activity after light exposure, i.e., 5.6 times greater, compared to Comparative Example B. [Table 3]

[0049] The data in Table 3 show that Comparative Example D had a decreased Bacillus thuringiensis activity after light exposure, i.e., one-tenth, compared to Comparative Example C. This decreased Bacillus thuringiensis activity after light exposure further demonstrates the surprising synergistic effect of the components of the pest control composition disclosed herein.

Claims

Claim 1 A pest control composition comprising: humic acid; an emulsion polymer containing methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and vinyl toluene; Bacillus thuringiensis; water; A pest control composition containing the above. Claim 2 The pest control composition according to Claim 1, wherein the humic acid is 0.01% to 5.00% by weight of the pest control composition based on the total weight of the combination of the humic acid, the emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and the water. Claim 3 The pest control composition according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the emulsion polymer is 0.10% to 10.00% by weight of the pest control composition based on the total weight of the combination of the humic acid, the emulsion polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and the water. Claim 4 The pest control composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the emulsion polymer has acrylic acid at 10% by weight or less based on the weight of the emulsion polymer. Claim 5 The pest control composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the emulsion polymer has an average particle size of 50 nanometers to 300 nanometers as measured using the dynamic light scattering method.

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