Carbohydrate pH Buffer and Triarylmethane Indicator for Crop Sprays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural compositions face challenges in maintaining the optimal pH range for agricultural chemicals, leading to degradation, reduced efficacy, and environmental concerns due to phosphate-based buffers and pH indicators, which are unstable with carbohydrate acids and prone to human error in field applications.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a carbohydrate-based pH modifying agent and a triarylmethane dye pH indicator, such as bromocresol green, bromocresol purple, or bromophenol blue, which indicates the pH range of 4 to 6 when diluted, providing a stable and environmentally friendly solution for agricultural chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphate-based buffers and pH indicators are used to maintain pH range, then pH control is achieved, but environmental harm and chemical instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes phosphate-based buffers and traditional pH indicators from the agricultural composition, replacing them with a carbohydrate-based pH modifying agent and a pH-insensitive surfactant system. This extraction eliminates the harmful environmental factors associated with phosphates while maintaining pH control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the pH control system by substituting phosphate-based compounds with carbohydrate-based compounds (such as gluconic acid, galacturonic acid, or their salts). This parameter change maintains the ability to control pH in the 4-6 range while eliminating environmental harm.
2Measurement precision
If manual pH testing equipment is used in field, then pH measurement is possible, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pH indicator directly into the agricultural composition formulation itself, allowing the composition to self-indicate its pH status through color change. This eliminates the need for separate pH testing equipment and manual measurement procedures, making the system self-sufficient and easier to operate in the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the pH indicator function with the agricultural composition by incorporating a pH-sensitive component that changes color based on the pH of the solution. This combines the agricultural chemical delivery system with the pH monitoring function into a single integrated product, eliminating the need for separate testing equipment.
3Reliability
If pH adjustment procedures are performed manually, then pH control is achieved, but human error and chemical wastage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-formulates the agricultural composition with the exact amount of carbohydrate-based pH modifying agent needed to maintain the optimal pH range (4-6). This preliminary action ensures that the correct pH adjustment is built into the product formulation itself, eliminating the need for field adjustments and preventing both under-dosing and over-dosing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates a pH indicator that provides real-time visual feedback on the pH status of the agricultural composition. This feedback mechanism allows users to immediately see whether the pH is within the optimal range, preventing chemical wastage from incorrect pH conditions and ensuring reliable pH control throughout application.
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
This solution simplifies and automates pH adjustment, reduces chemical wastage, and ensures optimal agricultural chemical activity while being gentler on plants, soil, and animals, with increased compatibility and nutrient uptake, and stability at various temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a pH indicator for colouring an aqueous solution, wherein said pH indicator is a triarylmethane dye, selected from the group consisting of bromocresol green, bromocresol purple and bromophenol blue, having a visible colour transition within the range of pH 4 to pH 6
Implementation Method 2
a pH modifying agent comprising a carbohydrate acid... when the concentrate is diluted with water and the pH of the water is modified by the pH modifying agent
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a composition in concentrated form ("the concentrate") for dilution with water in the preparation of an agricultural composition for application to crops, soil or animals, comprising a carbohydrate-based pH modifying agent and a pH indicator. The agricultural composition comprises an agricultural chemical whose agricultural activity varies with the pH of the water. The proportions of the pH indicator and the pH modifying agent in the concentrate are selected so that when the concentrate is diluted with an appropriate amount of water, the pH indicator indicates visually by colouration of the composition, whether or not the pH of the water is suitable for acceptable agricultural activity of the chemical. The invention also provides a process for preparing the agricultural composition by mixing the concentrate with water, and adding the agricultural chemical to the composition, if it is not already present in the concentrate.