Oxaloacetate Ester Herbicides for Glyphosate-Resistant Weeds

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Solution Overview

Problem

The evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds poses a significant challenge to effective weed control, as existing herbicides like glyphosate are becoming less effective, and there is a need for novel, environmentally friendly compounds to manage these resistant weeds.

Innovation Solution

Compositions comprising oxaloacetate esters, which are typically used as plant growth regulators, exhibit potent herbicidal activity at high concentrations, offering both non-selective and selective herbicidal options for controlling unwanted vegetation, including glyphosate-resistant weeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing herbicides like glyphosate are used to control weeds, then weed control effectiveness is maintained, but herbicide resistance in weeds evolves and reduces long-term effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveherbicidal activityVSAvoidresistance development time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using oxaloacetate esters at high concentrations (100-10,000 times higher than growth regulator levels) to fundamentally alter the biological effect from growth stimulation to herbicidal activity. This concentration-based parameter change enables the same compound to serve dual purposes while overcoming resistance issues through a different mode of action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The oxaloacetate ester compounds exhibit multi-functionality by serving both as plant growth regulators at low concentrations and as herbicides at high concentrations. This universal application approach allows a single compound class to address both growth control and weed management needs, reducing the need for multiple different chemical agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If novel herbicidal compounds are developed to overcome resistance, then effectiveness against resistant weeds is improved, but environmental safety and plant injury risks may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness against resistant weedsVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the concentration parameter of oxaloacetate esters to high levels, the patent achieves herbicidal effectiveness against resistant weeds while maintaining environmental safety. The natural metabolite origin combined with high-concentration application creates a new safety profile that differs from conventional synthetic herbicides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the naturally occurring oxaloacetate, which is normally beneficial as a plant metabolite and growth regulator, into a herbicidal agent through high-concentration application. This transforms a naturally safe compound into an effective weed control tool that retains environmental compatibility while overcoming herbicide resistance

Inventive Principle:

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

Data Source

PatentUS12514249B2Oxaloacetate and related compounds as herbicidal agents

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 VERDESIAN LIFE SCIENCES LLC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to methods of controlling the growth of undesired vegetation in a particular area by using an herbicidal composition that contains an esterified plant metabolite.