Agricultural Formulation Stability Using Low-Melting Point Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current formulations of low-melting point pesticides like metalaxyl and inpyrfluxam face challenges such as crystal formation and instability in liquid formulations, making it difficult to create physically and chemically stable seed treatments for fungal pest control.
Innovation Solution
Agricultural formulations comprising 3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydroinden-4-yl]pyrazole-4-carboxamide, ethaboxam, metalaxyl, and mandestrobin, combined with excipients like sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonate condensate and polyoxyethylene tristyrylphenol phosphate, are developed to create stable formulations that prevent crystal growth and provide effective fungal protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If metalaxyl and inpyrfluxam are formulated in liquid formulations, then they can be applied as seed treatments, but crystal formation occurs upon storage reducing formulation stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses low-melting point carriers (waxes, oils, or fats with melting points below 50°C) as intermediary substances to dissolve or disperse metalaxyl and inpyrfluxam. These carriers prevent crystal formation by maintaining the pesticides in a dissolved or dispersed state during storage, while still allowing effective application as seed treatments. The carrier acts as a mediator between the solid pesticide molecules and the liquid formulation matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the formulation by using carriers with specific melting points below 50°C. This parameter change ensures that the formulation remains liquid or semi-liquid during storage, preventing crystallization. The temperature parameter is controlled to stay above the carrier's melting point, maintaining the pesticides in a dissolved state without causing degradation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If metalaxyl is formulated with other low-melting point pesticides, then broader pest coverage is achieved, but formulation complexity increases due to co-melting issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple low-melting point pesticides (metalaxyl, inpyrfluxam, and others) into a single formulation using a common low-melting point carrier. The carrier serves as a unifying medium that accommodates multiple active ingredients with similar melting point characteristics. This merging approach simplifies the formulation process compared to creating separate formulations for each pesticide, while achieving broader pest coverage through synergistic or additive effects.
3Device complexity
If inpyrfluxam is formulated alone, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but physical stability is reduced due to crystal formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a low-melting point carrier as an intermediary substance to dissolve inpyrfluxam. This carrier prevents inpyrfluxam crystals from forming during storage by keeping the pesticide molecules in a dissolved state. The carrier mediates between the solid inpyrfluxam and the liquid formulation, ensuring physical stability while maintaining formulation simplicity through a single-carrier system.
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 formulations achieve physical and chemical stability, preventing crystal growth and ensuring effective seed treatment against fungal pests, thereby enhancing protection for plants against fungal infections.
Implementation Method 1
Liquid formulations of metalaxyl often form large crystals upon storage. Further, due to its low melting point, formulating metalaxyl with other low-melting point pesticides is highly problematic.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is generally related to an agricultural formulation comprising 3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydroinden-4-yl]pyrazole-4-carboxamide and sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonate condensate and polyoxyethylene tristyrylphenol phosphate, potassium salt. The present invention is further related to an agricultural formulation comprising 3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydroinden-4-yl]pyrazole-4-carboxamide, ethaboxam, metalaxyl, mandestrobin, methyloxirane polymer, sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonate condensate, a mixture of sodium salt of alkyl vinyl ether/maleic acid half-ester copolymer and polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyoxyethylene tristyrylphenol phosphate, potassium salt. The present invention is further directed to a process for preparing the agricultural formulations and methods of use thereof.