Bio-based Microemulsions for Stable Agricultural Adjuvants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surfactants used in agricultural adjuvants face challenges in stability at extreme pH and electrolyte conditions, limiting their effectiveness and requiring multiple adjuvants for various functions, while also posing environmental concerns due to petroleum-based origins.
Innovation Solution
Development of bio-based microemulsions comprising lecithin and an acidifier, which form stable dispersions at extreme pH and electrolyte concentrations, enabling multifunctional agricultural adjuvants that can deliver active ingredients, control pH, and improve wetting and penetration, potentially replacing multiple adjuvants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If petroleum-based surfactants are used in agricultural adjuvants, then effective herbicide delivery and performance are achieved, but environmental harm increases due to non-biodegradability and petroleum origin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing petroleum-based surfactants with bio-based alternatives (lecithin, amino acid-based surfactants, carboxylic acid-based surfactants). This parameter change maintains the surfactant functionality needed for herbicide delivery while improving biodegradability and reducing environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite surfactant systems by combining multiple bio-based components (lecithin with amino acid-based or carboxylic acid-based surfactants) to achieve both effective herbicide delivery and environmental sustainability. The composite structure provides multifunctional properties including wetting, penetration, and biodegradability.
2Reliability
If multiple adjuvants are used to achieve various functions (delivery, pH control, wetting, penetration), then comprehensive herbicide performance is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops multi-functional adjuvants that can simultaneously perform multiple functions: delivering active ingredients, controlling pH, improving wetting, and enhancing penetration. The bio-based surfactant compositions are designed to encompass multiple functionalities within a single product, reducing the need for separate adjuvant formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate adjuvants into unified bio-based surfactant compositions. By combining lecithin with amino acid-based or carboxylic acid-based surfactants, the formulation integrates delivery, pH control, wetting, and penetration properties into a single cohesive product.
3Ease of operation
If conventional surfactants are used, then good wetting and emulsion stabilization are achieved, but stability at extreme pH and electrolyte conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the surfactants by using bio-based molecules (lecithin, amino acid-based surfactants, carboxylic acid-based surfactants) that inherently possess stability across extreme pH ranges. These molecular structure changes enable the surfactants to maintain wetting performance while resisting degradation at extreme pH and electrolyte conditions.
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 bio-based microemulsions provide stable and effective agricultural adjuvants that enhance herbicide performance, reduce the need for multiple adjuvants, and offer environmental benefits by being biodegradable and sustainable, while maintaining performance across varying pH and electrolyte levels.
Implementation Method 1
compositions comprising lecithin and uses thereof. The invention also relates to methods of using microemulsions to disperse a compound in water
Implementation Method 2
Lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids and other minor components. Lecithin and its components are unique amphiphilic structures having fatty acid chains and a polar head group. Thus, lecithin is known to form bilayers, micelles, or liposomes
Implementation Method 3
The microemulsions may be used to disperse a compound in water. The microemulsions may be bio-based and bio-degradable
Data Source
AI summary
Microemulsion compositions include a blend of lecithin and a co-surfactant, and an acidifier. The compositions may further include salts of the acidifier, such as lactic acid or sodium lactate. The microemulsion may be used to produce a multi-functional agricultural adjuvant that is able to deliver an active ingredient such as a pesticide control, pH improve, wetting, and penetration of an agricultural chemical, control droplet size, function at extreme pH or salt concentration and/or other provide another functional benefit.