Microbial Wettable Powder Formulation for Fast Water Dispersibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Formulating microorganisms as wettable powders and water dispersible granules faces challenges such as poor water dispersibility, low wettability, nozzle clogging, slow opening speed, heterogeneity in field application, and stability issues, which affect the performance and quality of biopesticides and biofertilizers.
Innovation Solution
The use of dispersants like sulphonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensates, acrylic copolymers with polyethylene glycol side chains, and mineral fillers such as mica particles coated with metal oxide, kaolin, or silica, to create wettable powders and water dispersible granules that enhance wettability and dispersibility, maintaining microorganism survivability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If microorganisms are formulated using conidia form in oil or solids, then shelf-life stability is improved, but water dispersibility and wettability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining hydrophobic spores with hydrophilic carriers (clay, silica, or calcium carbonate particles) and surfactants. This creates a composite formulation where the hydrophilic carrier provides water dispersibility while the hydrophobic spores maintain their stability, resolving the contradiction between shelf-life stability and water dispersibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants and hydrophilic carriers as intermediary substances between the hydrophobic spores and water. These intermediaries reduce surface tension and improve wetting, allowing water to disperse the spore-containing formulation effectively without compromising the spores' stability during storage.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If solid based formulation is used, then shelf-life is improved, but wettability capacity and opening speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the formulation by incorporating surfactants that reduce surface tension and hydrophilic carriers that improve water interaction. This allows the solid formulation to maintain shelf-life while achieving faster opening speed and better wetting when applied.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional solid formulation is used, then microorganism stability is improved, but homogeneity in field application deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring uniform distribution of spores throughout the hydrophilic carrier matrix. The surfactant-coated carrier particles provide consistent local properties that promote homogeneous dispersion in water, ensuring uniform application in the field while maintaining spore stability.
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 improves wettability and dispersibility, reducing application issues and enhancing the stability and effectiveness of biopesticides and biofertilizers, suitable for field sprays and seed treatments.
Implementation Method 1
dispersant selected from sulphonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensates; acrylic copolymers having capped polyethylene glycol side chains on a polyacrylic backbone
Implementation Method 2
mineral based filler selected from: mica particles coated with metal oxide; or kaolin, silica, or calcium carbonate; having water absorption capability greater than 50%
Data Source
AI summary
A novel wettable power or water dispersible granule for agrochemical formulations. Said wettable power or water dispersible granule comprising dispersants, mineral based fillers, and microorganism or microbes. Where the dispersants in particular are selected from acrylic copolymers and copolymer of acrylic acid with hydrophobic monomers and alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol. The fillers are in particular mica particles coated with metal oxide, kaolin, silica, or calcium carbonate. A pre-blend is also provided for forming the formulation. There is also provided the use of said wettable power or water dispersible granule for treating vegetation to control pests by applying the formulation, or use for seed coatings.