Alginate Bead Compositions for Controlled Endothall Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing herbicides for aquatic weed control often pose safety risks due to exposure issues and have low active ingredient concentrations, with limited storage stability and ineffective delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
Development of herbicidal bead compositions comprising at least 15% endothall or its salts/derivatives entrapped in an alginate complex, with an additive for controlled release, using a process involving a pre-gel mixture and gelling bath mixture to form beads that can be safely applied in water bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sprayable or granular herbicide formulations are used for aquatic weed control, then the application process is simple, but worker safety is compromised due to exposure risks, skin burn, and eye sensitization
Solution Approach 1:
The herbicide formulation is segmented into bead-shaped units with a core-shell structure, where the active ingredient is encapsulated within an alginate matrix. This segmentation allows the herbicide to be applied in discrete, controlled units that reduce direct exposure compared to sprayable formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The alginate matrix acts as an intermediary between the active herbicide ingredient and the environment/worker. It controls the release of endothall, reducing immediate exposure risks while maintaining herbicidal efficacy. The bead structure serves as a protective barrier during application.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional alginate gel bead compositions are used with high alginate polymer concentration, then the beads form stable structure, but the active ingredient concentration becomes very low and storage stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation parameters are optimized to achieve a balance between alginate concentration (5-15%) and active ingredient concentration (20-80%). This parameter optimization allows the beads to maintain structural stability while containing high levels of endothall, resolving the contradiction between structure stability and active ingredient concentration.
3Quantity of substance
If high concentration of active ingredient is incorporated in herbicide formulation, then the efficacy is improved, but the storage stability and delivery system effectiveness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The active ingredient is nested within the alginate bead matrix, creating a core-shell structure where the herbicide is entrapped inside the protective alginate shell. This nesting allows high active ingredient concentration to be maintained while the outer shell provides storage stability and controlled release capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The alginate bead forms a flexible shell that encapsulates the active ingredient. This shell provides protection during storage while allowing controlled release during application, maintaining both storage stability and delivery effectiveness despite high active ingredient concentration.
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 bead compositions provide a safe and effective delivery system for endothall, achieving high concentrations of active ingredient with improved storage stability and controlled release, effectively controlling aquatic weeds while minimizing exposure risks.
Implementation Method 1
wherein said external zone is capable of releasing said endothall, its salts or derivatives when hydrated
Implementation Method 2
dispensing uniform droplets of the pre-gel mixture into the gelling bath mixture to form said herbicidal beads entrapping the endothall, its salts or derivatives and the at least one additive in an internal zone
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are beads comprising endothall, its salts or derivatives entrapped in an alginate complex. The disclosure further relates to a process for preparing herbicidal alginate bead compositions and a method of controlling algae and aquatic weeds using the same. Further, a safe delivery system of herbicides, for aquatic weed control, comprising the bead composition is also provided.