Activated Metal Nanoparticle Compositions for Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pesticides used in agriculture, aquaculture, and livestock production often contain toxic chemicals that harm humans and the environment, and persist in the environment, causing widespread contamination of water sources and harming plant, fish, and animal health.
Innovation Solution
Development of compositions comprising metal nanoparticles and organic acids, specifically gold, silver, magnesium, zinc, and other metals combined with tannic acid and citric acid, which are activated through sonication, laser, or thermal excitation to create a stable, non-toxic solution for controlling plant and aquaculture pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pesticides containing toxic chemicals are used to control pathogens, then pathogen control effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and human health risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using metal nanoparticles (silver, zinc, copper, etc.) instead of conventional toxic pesticides. These nanoparticles are combined with organic acids and activated through energy input to create a composition that maintains pathogen control effectiveness while eliminating the toxic chemical components that harm the environment and human health.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system consisting of metal nanoparticles combined with organic acids (such as citric acid, acetic acid, or tannic acid). This composite approach allows the synergistic interaction between the metallic components and organic molecules to achieve effective pathogen control without the harmful effects of conventional pesticides.
2Reliability
If conventional pesticides are applied extensively to control pathogens, then pathogen mitigation is improved, but water source contamination worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing persistent toxic pesticides with biodegradable metal nanoparticles and organic acids. These alternative materials do not persist in water sources, thereby eliminating the contamination problem while maintaining pathogen mitigation effectiveness through the nanoparticle-based active composition.
3Reliability
If conventional pesticides are used to combat pathogens, then disease control is improved, but pathogen mutation and resistance development worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mode of action parameters by using activated metal nanoparticle compositions that physically interact with pathogens through mechanisms such as membrane disruption and oxidative stress, rather than relying on chemical inhibition that selects for resistant mutants. This physical interaction mechanism reduces the selective pressure that drives pathogen mutation and resistance development.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The activated compositions effectively mitigate or control pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses without harming humans or the environment, maintaining stability for at least two years and reducing the need for toxic chemicals, thereby improving agricultural health and crop production.
Implementation Method 1
the composition is activated by excitation with sonication, a laser, an electron gun, or thermal excitation
Implementation Method 2
the composition is activated by excitation with sonication, a laser, an electron gun, or thermal excitation
Implementation Method 3
the composition is activated by excitation with sonication, a laser, an electron gun, or thermal excitation
Implementation Method 4
the compositions include one or more metal nanoparticles and one or more organic acids
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods for treating plant, aquatic, and/or livestock pathogens. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to activated compositions having metal nanoparticles and/or one or more organic acids for the treatment of harmful plant, aquaculture, or livestock pathogens, and also relates to methods of making and using the compositions.