Fipronil Gel Viscosity Plastic Migration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fipronil gel formulations experience stability issues and migration when packaged in plastics, leading to reduced efficacy and shelf life, as they tend to leach into plastic materials during storage.
Innovation Solution
A fipronil emulsion composition is developed with specific concentrations of fipronil, arthropod attractants, surfactants, gelling agents, preservatives, and solvents, formulated to maintain a viscosity of over 50 centipoises, which when stored in plastic packaging retains more than 90% of fipronil for three months at 25°C, utilizing surfactants like polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate and ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil to prevent migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fipronil gel formulations are packaged in plastic materials, then packaging cost and versatility are improved, but fipronil migrates to the plastics during storage, reducing product stability and efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (aromatic compound) that acts as a barrier between fipronil and the plastic packaging material. This mediator prevents direct interaction and migration of fipronil to the plastic, while allowing the formulation to remain in cost-effective plastic packaging rather than requiring expensive glass containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the gel formulation by adding specific aromatic compounds (such as vanillin, eugenol, or cinnamaldehyde) at controlled concentrations. This parameter change alters the formulation's interaction with plastic materials, preventing fipronil migration while maintaining product efficacy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fipronil gel formulations are stored in plastic packaging, then packaging versatility is improved, but shelf life is reduced due to fipronil migration and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The aromatic compound serves as a protective intermediary that remains stable during storage and prevents fipronil from interacting with and migrating to the plastic packaging material, thereby extending the product's shelf life while maintaining the advantages of plastic packaging versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary protection by incorporating the aromatic compound into the formulation before packaging. This pre-established protective mechanism prevents fipronil migration during the entire storage period, ensuring product stability throughout the extended shelf life without requiring special packaging conditions.
3Device complexity
If conventional gel formulations are used, then simplicity of formulation is maintained, but fipronil retention in plastic packaging is reduced due to migration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a minimal parameter change to the conventional formulation by adding aromatic compounds at specific concentrations (e.g., 0.01-5% w/w). This small compositional modification dramatically improves fipronil retention in plastic packaging while maintaining the overall simplicity and ease of manufacture of the gel formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gel formulation that combines fipronil with aromatic compounds (such as vanillin, eugenol, or cinnamaldehyde). This composite material exhibits improved compatibility with plastic packaging materials, preventing fipronil migration while maintaining the desired gel properties and simplicity of 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
The formulation significantly enhances the stability and retention of fipronil in plastic packaging, maintaining over 90% of its content for three months, effectively preventing migration and ensuring prolonged shelf life and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The composition contains polyoxythylene (2) sorbitan monopalmitate, ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil, glycereth-17 cocoate, and a combination thereof as the surfactant
Implementation Method 2
at least one gelling agent in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to 5 wt. %. The insecticidal composition is provided in a form of an emulsion that has a viscosity of more than about 50 centipoises
Data Source
AI summary
An insecticidal composition includes fipronil in an amount of less than 0.1 wt. %, at least one surfactant, at least one emulsion stabilizer, and at least one arthropod attractant, wherein the insecticidal composition has a viscosity of more than about 50 centipoises. The insecticidal composition has improved stability and prevents migration of fipronil into plastic packaging over time, such that the composition retains more than about 90% of fipronil when stored in a plastic packaging for 3 months or more at room temperature.