Photostable Carbonate-Substituted Hydroxyapatite Pyrethrum Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Natural insecticides like pyrethrum extracts from the Chrysanthemum or Tanacetum genus are photodegradable and volatile, limiting their agricultural use due to lack of photostability and the need for synthetic UV protectors, which poses environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

A photostable composition comprising carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite with the formula Ca(10-y/2)(PO4)(6-y)(CO3)y(OH)2, where y is between 0.01 and 2, combined with vegetable extracts from the Chrysanthemum or Tanacetum genus, providing enhanced photostability and fertilizing benefits without synthetic UV protectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pyrethrum extract and its components are used as natural insecticides, then low toxicity for mammals and high insecticide activity are achieved, but photodegradability and volatility limit their agricultural use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsecticide activityVSAvoidphotostability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite serves as an intermediary carrier that absorbs and protects pyrethrum extract components. The hydroxyapatite matrix acts as a protective intermediary, shielding the photodegradable pyrethrins from direct UV exposure while maintaining their insecticidal activity, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and photostability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system combining carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite with pyrethrum extract components. This composite approach integrates the protective properties of the hydroxyapatite matrix with the bioactive pyrethrins, achieving both photostability and insecticidal efficacy simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If synthetic UV protectors such as benzophenones and benzotriazoles are used to protect pyrethrum extract, then photostability is improved, but environmental concerns and the presence of synthetic chemicals arise

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovephotostabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces persistent synthetic UV protectors with a natural, biodegradable hydroxyapatite matrix. The hydroxyapatite serves as a temporary protective carrier that degrades safely in the environment, eliminating the harmful persistent synthetic chemicals while providing necessary photoprotection during the product's functional lifecycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the protective mechanism from chemical UV absorption (synthetic benzophenones/benzotriazoles) to physical encapsulation and matrix protection (hydroxyapatite). This parameter change in the protection mechanism eliminates synthetic chemicals while maintaining photostability, addressing the environmental concern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If separate fertilizer treatments are applied to plants, then nutritional needs are met, but environmental pollution from fertilizer accumulation in soil and water increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplant nutritionVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the insecticide function with the fertilizer function into a single integrated product. Carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite inherently provides phosphorus and calcium nutrition to plants while simultaneously serving as a protective carrier for pyrethrum extract. This combination eliminates the need for separate fertilizer applications, reducing environmental pollution from fertilizer accumulation while ensuring plant nutritional needs are met

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 composition significantly extends the photostability of pyrethrum extracts and active components, offering effective insecticide activity while reducing environmental impact by minimizing the need for separate fertilizers and avoiding synthetic UV protectors.

Implementation Method 1

the carbonate substituted hydroxyapatite of formula (I) above improves the photostabilization of vegetable extracts of plants of the Chrysanthemum or Tanacetum genus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV protection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the carbonate substituted hydroxyapatite of formula (I) above provides also a beneficial fertilizing effect on the plants treated with the photostable composition according to the invention

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFertilizing effect:

Data Source

PatentEP4240166B1Photostable composition
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 NDG NATURAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP SRL

AI summary

The invention relates to a to novel photostable compositions of carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite containing at least one vegetable extract of at least one plant of the Chrysanthemum or Tanacetum genus.