Plant Protein Matrix for Controlled Release of Agricultural Actives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural products with solid matrices often release active ingredients too quickly, leading to frequent applications and leaving non-biodegradable residues, while those with slower release rates may not provide adequate plant treatment due to rapid salting out.
Innovation Solution
A disintegrable agricultural product with a matrix based on plant-origin material, containing at least 30% plant protein and up to 10% lipid by weight, where the active ingredient is homogeneously dispersed, allowing for controlled release of substances into the soil, achieved through an extrusion manufacturing method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a poorly dispersible matrix is used to reduce leaching, then the active ingredient is released more gradually, but the matrix degradation products are not rapidly biodegradable and may pollute the soil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the matrix by specifying precise ranges of plant proteins (30-80%), lipids (5-20%), carbohydrates (10-40%), and ash (5-20%). These parameter changes ensure the matrix is both slowly dispersible for controlled release and rapidly biodegradable since plant-based materials are naturally biodegradable, thus resolving the contradiction between gradual release and environmental safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite matrix material combining multiple plant-derived components (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and ash) in specific proportions. This composite structure provides both the desired slow dispersibility for controlled active ingredient release and rapid biodegradability, as the plant-based composite is naturally compatible with soil decomposition processes, eliminating pollution concerns.
2Ease of operation
If a matrix with greater wettability is used, then the active ingredient dissolves more quickly, but the treatment must be repeated more often
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the matrix composition parameters, particularly the lipid content (5-20%) and protein content (30-80%), to achieve balanced wettability. The specific combination of hydrophobic lipids and hydrophilic proteins creates a matrix that absorbs moisture at a controlled rate, allowing the active ingredient to dissolve gradually over an extended period without requiring frequent reapplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality variations within the matrix structure by combining materials with different hydrophobicity levels. The plant protein and carbohydrate components provide hydrophilic regions that attract and retain moisture, while lipid components provide hydrophobic regions that control the rate of water penetration. This local quality differentiation enables sustained release over time while maintaining adequate wettability.
3Reliability
If the active ingredient is released too quickly, then plant treatment is effective, but the number of spreading operations must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the release rate parameters by controlling the matrix composition, particularly the ratio of proteins (30-80%) to lipids (5-20%). This parameter optimization ensures the active ingredient releases at a steady, effective rate that maintains plant treatment efficacy throughout the season, reducing the need for multiple spreading operations and improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuous useful action by designing a matrix that provides sustained release of the active ingredient over an extended period. The controlled decomposition of plant-based matrix components continuously releases the active ingredient at effective concentrations, maintaining reliable plant protection without requiring repeated applications, thus reducing the number of spreading operations needed.
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 product provides a balanced release of active ingredients, reducing the frequency of applications and ensuring that only biodegradable compounds are left in the soil, promoting plant growth and health without environmental harm.
Implementation Method 1
The disclosure concerns a solid, disintegrable agricultural product, which comprises at least one agricultural active ingredient and a matrix based on a plant-origin material... the result of the development of a manufacturing method implementing extrusion technology which leads, in addition to the aforementioned properties, to a perfect dispersion of the active ingredient(s) in the matrix
Implementation Method 2
a perfect dispersion of the active ingredient(s) in the matrix
Implementation Method 3
a matrix which does not leave any pollutant that cannot be assimilated by the soil... abandoning degradation products of the matrix which are not always rapidly biodegradable
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural product as well as its manufacturing method, the product being solid, disintegrable and including at least one agricultural active ingredient and one matrix based on a plant-origin material, the matrix having a plant protein content of at least 30% by weight relative to the dry weight of the plant-origin material and a lipid content of at most 10% by weight relative to the dry weight of the plant-origin material, and being present in the product in a proportion of at least 75% by weight relative to the weight of the product, and the agricultural active ingredient being dispersed, in a homogeneous way, in the matrix, the product having a density from 1300 to 1500 kg/m3.