Sprayable Gel for Phytoseiulus Mite Dispersion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for dispersing predatory mites of the genus Phytoseiulus result in heterogeneous distribution and are not suitable for high humidity environments, and the mites are fragile, making them poorly adapted for soil applications.
Innovation Solution
A sprayable aqueous composition using a non-toxic gel made from thickening and/or gelling agents like modified corn starch, polysaccharides, and saccharides, with the addition of a gel degradation enzyme to facilitate homogeneous dispersion and release of live biocontrol agents, ensuring their survival and fertility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bottles with medium are used for dispersing predatory mites, then the mites can be contained and transported, but the distribution becomes heterogeneous when released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the dispersing medium from liquid (conventional bottles) to gel form. The gel medium maintains mites in a homogeneous suspension state during transport and application, preventing settling and clumping that occur in liquid bottles, thereby achieving uniform distribution while maintaining mite survival.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite gel system combining gelling agents (such as carrageenans, chitosan, or starch derivatives) with the dispersing medium. This composite gel structure provides both the containment necessary for mite survival and the viscosity required for homogeneous dispersion, resolving the contradiction between reliability and distribution uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If predatory mites are dispersed in aqueous gel, then homogeneous distribution is achieved, but the gel must be degraded to release mites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an enzymatic intermediary (gel degradation enzyme such as amylase or chitosanase) that mediates the breakdown of the gel matrix. This enzyme acts as a biological intermediary that selectively degrades the gel structure without affecting the mites, enabling controlled release while maintaining the benefits of homogeneous dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temporal parameter changes in gel viscosity through enzymatic degradation. The gel maintains high viscosity during application for homogeneous distribution, then gradually degrades over time through enzyme action, allowing mite release. This dynamic viscosity change resolves the contradiction between maintaining dispersion homogeneity and enabling subsequent release.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Phytoseiulus mites are used in high humidity environments, then they can be applied to soil, but they are fragile and poorly adapted to high humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a gel matrix that acts as a protective flexible medium surrounding the fragile mites. The gel provides a physical barrier that protects mites from desiccation and environmental stressors in high humidity conditions, while maintaining the necessary moisture balance for mite survival and activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the micro-environmental parameters around the mites by formulating them in a gel with controlled moisture content and viscosity. This gel formulation creates a protected micro-habitat that maintains suitable conditions for mite survival even in externally high humidity environments, thereby improving both adaptability and reliability.
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 achieves homogeneous distribution and release of biocontrol agents, maintaining their longevity and fertility, with a release rate greater than 60% and survival for several hours, facilitating their application on crops like raspberry plants with ease and saving application time.
Implementation Method 1
the release of these mites from the gel, which is made difficult by the sticking action of the gel during drying, is possible with a satisfactory release rate and can be facilitated by the addition of a gel degradation enzyme
Implementation Method 2
adding an enzyme capable of degrading said gel at a concentration allowing the total degradation of said gel in less than 12 hours
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sprayable aqueous composition for spreading biocontrol agents, comprising live biocontrol agents from the phytoseiidae family of the genus Phytoseiulus which are homogenously dispersed in a gel prepared from one or more thickening and/or gelling agents and an aqueous solution, the thickening and/or gelling agents being non-toxic for the biocontrol agents and the gel having a dynamic viscosity at zero velocity gradient of between 1 and 30,000 mPa·s.