Natamycin Phosphite Composition Mould Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating agricultural crops like flower bulbs and tubers are ineffective against mould development, despite the potential of natural fungicides like natamycin, due to low solubility and resistance issues, and the impending ban on synthetic fungicides necessitates the development of environmentally friendly alternatives.

Innovation Solution

A composition combining a polyene fungicide, such as natamycin, with a natural crop protection compound like phosphite, which enhances antifungal activity and improves crop growth and yield, while minimizing the use of lignosulphonates and polyphenols, which may have negative effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If natamycin is used to prevent fungal growth, then antifungal activity is achieved, but low solubility in water limits its effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantifungal activityVSAvoidsolubility in water

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dissolved solids from processing agricultural products as an intermediary carrier to deliver natamycin. This mediator solves the solubility problem by providing a natural vehicle that can carry the hydrophobic natamycin compound through aqueous environments and onto the agricultural product surface, enabling effective antifungal activity without requiring high water solubility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and delivery parameters of natamycin by incorporating it into a complex with dissolved solids. This parameter change transforms natamycin from a poorly soluble crystalline substance into a deliverable formulation that can be effectively applied through immersion or spraying, maintaining antifungal activity while overcoming solubility limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If synthetic fungicides are used to control moulds, then mould development is suppressed, but environmental and health concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemould control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental and health impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs naturally occurring dissolved solids that are biodegradable and environmentally benign as the delivery vehicle. This replaces persistent synthetic chemical carriers with natural, short-lived organic compounds that decompose harmlessly, eliminating environmental accumulation and health concerns associated with synthetic fungicide formulations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts a potential waste product (dissolved solids from processing) into a beneficial delivery vehicle for natural fungicides. This transforms what could be considered a byproduct or contaminant into a useful medium that enhances the effectiveness of environmentally friendly natamycin application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If lignosulphonates are added to enhance fungicide effectiveness, then antifungal activity is improved, but negative effects on crops may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantifungal effectivenessVSAvoidnegative effects on crops

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and uses only the beneficial dissolved solids fraction from processing agricultural products, deliberately excluding lignosulphonates and other potentially harmful polyphenols through filtration or selective concentration. This separation removes the harmful components while retaining the beneficial carrier properties of dissolved solids for delivering natamycin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 natamycin with phosphite significantly reduces mould development on agricultural products, offering a synergistic effect that improves crop protection and yield, and can replace traditional fungicide cocktails, providing effective and environmentally friendly mould control.

Implementation Method 1

Natamycin effectively eliminated the Fusarium mould preventing cross contamination from diseased to healthy bulbs in the water bath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplexation:

Implementation Method 2

the composition comprises phosphite and a polyene fungicide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMetabolism:

Implementation Method 3

The combination of natamycin with phosphite significantly reduces mould development on agricultural products, offering a synergistic effect that improves crop protection and yield

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntifungal activity:

Data Source

PatentUS8524635B2Antifungal composition

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 DSM IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of an agricultural product which comprises the addition of a composition which comprises phosphite and natamycin to the agricultural product wherein the composition comprises preferably less than 0.1 g lignosulphonate, more preferably less than 0.1 g polyphenol, per gram natamycin and is still more preferably free of lignosulphonate and most preferably free of polyphenol.