Enzyme–Insecticide Plant Protection for Broad-Spectrum Pest Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new methods to protect crops and plants from pests and insects to prevent waste and economic loss while improving crop yields and ensuring a sufficient global food supply.

Innovation Solution

Applying a phytoprotective agent comprising an enzyme and an insecticide on plant propagation material, plants, or their surroundings to enhance pest control efficacy and broaden the spectrum of activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional insecticides are used alone, then the application rate must be high to achieve adequate pest control, but this increases cost and environmental impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepest control efficacyVSAvoidapplication rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines an enzyme (chitinase) and an insecticide into a single phytoprotective agent formulation. The enzyme and insecticide work synergistically to enhance pest control efficacy while reducing the required application rate compared to using the insecticide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite phytoprotective agent comprising both enzymatic (chitinase) and chemical (insecticide) components. This composite formulation leverages the complementary mechanisms of action to achieve superior pest control at lower application rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a broad spectrum of pesticides is used to control multiple pests, then more pests can be controlled, but this increases the complexity of the treatment regimen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum of pests controllableVSAvoidtreatment regimen complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chitinase enzyme provides broad-spectrum activity against multiple insect pests by degrading their exoskeletons, while the insecticide component targets specific pest species. This multi-functional approach allows a single phytoprotective agent to control diverse pest populations without requiring multiple separate treatments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 combination of an enzyme and an insecticide in the phytoprotective agent enhances pest control efficacy, broadens the spectrum of pests controllable, and improves economic efficiency through lower application rates.

Implementation Method 1

a phytoprotective agent comprising an enzyme and an insecticide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20250287955A1Methods of protecting a plant from insect pests
Publication Date: 2025.09.18 NOVONESIS PLANT BIOSOLUTIONS AS

AI summary

A method of controlling or preventing pathogenic damage and/or pest damage in a plant propagation material, a plant, part of a plant and/or plant organ, comprising applying on the plant, part of the plant, plant organ, plant propagation material or a surrounding area thereof a phytoprotective agent comprising an enzyme and an insecticide.