Biobased Chelated Micronutrient Formulation for pH Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chelated micronutrient compositions are not biodegradable, unstable at higher pH levels, and have high sodium content, which limits their effectiveness in agricultural applications, particularly in soils with calcium and alkaline conditions.
Innovation Solution
A micronutrient formulation comprising a biochelant, a micronutrient salt, and a solvent, which includes a biochelant sourced from natural resources, is developed, offering biodegradability, pH stability, and low potassium content, enhancing the solubility and stability of micronutrients like iron in agricultural applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional synthetic chelates are used to deliver micronutrients, then solubility and ease of application are improved, but biodegradability is poor and stability at higher pH is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the chelating agent from synthetic to biobased (e.g., biobased carboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, amino acids), which fundamentally alters the molecular structure to achieve both pH stability and biodegradability while maintaining solubility characteristics necessary for application
2Quantity of substance
If conventional chelated micronutrients are used, then solubility of metal ions is increased, but biodegradability is poor and environmental persistence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using biobased chelating agents with specific functional groups (carboxylic, hydroxycarboxylic, amino acids) that maintain metal ion solubility through chelation while being inherently biodegradable, thus eliminating the harmful environmental persistence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite chelated complexes combining biobased organic molecules with metal ions, where the biobased component provides both solubility enhancement and biodegradability, creating a material that simultaneously achieves contradictory properties of high solubility and easy environmental breakdown
3Quantity of substance
If conventional chelated micronutrients are used, then metal ion solubility is improved, but sodium content becomes undesirably high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ionic composition parameters by selecting biobased chelating agents that form complexes with metal ions without requiring high sodium content, using alternative buffering systems and counterions that maintain solubility while reducing sodium to desirable low levels
4Ease of operation
If conventional chelated micronutrients are used, then ease of application is improved, but stability in the presence of calcium is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters of the chelating agent by using biobased molecules with specific functional group arrangements (multiple carboxylic, hydroxycarboxylic, or amino groups) that create stronger coordination bonds with metal ions, making these bonds resistant to displacement by calcium ions while maintaining application properties
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 formulation effectively sequesters micronutrients, maintains solubility across a wide pH range, and is biodegradable, leading to improved plant productivity and nutrient uptake, reducing the risk of nutrient deficiencies and enhancing crop yields.
Implementation Method 1
One way of delivering metal micronutrients to a plant in need thereof is to form a chelated complex of the metal ion with a synthetic chelate. Such a complex maintains the metal ion in a soluble form
Implementation Method 2
Chelated micronutrients improve the solubility of the cations (e.g., metals) by binding with the organic chelant to form a soluble chelated metal compound
Implementation Method 3
reduces metal adsorption and fixation in soil
Data Source
AI summary
A micronutrient formulation comprising a biochelant, a micronutrient salt, a ring opener and a solvent. A method of treating a plant comprising applying a treatment composition comprising a biochelant, a micronutrient salt, a ring opener and a solvent to an area selected from the group consisting of foliar, soil, fertigation, chemigation, irrigation, hydroponics, aeroponic, indoor vertical farming, to the ground surrounding a plant, to plant foliage, by drip irrigation and a combination thereof wherein treatment composition comprises a biochelant, a micronutrient salt, a facilitating agent and a solvent.