Polyurea-Encapsulated Adjuvants for Stable Pyrethroid Suspension Concentrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pyrethroid suspension concentrates (SC) formulations, while having a lower mammalian toxicity, exhibit restricted biological efficacy compared to emulsifiable concentrates (EC), and adjuvants used to enhance efficacy can lead to instability due to solubilization and crystal growth.
Innovation Solution
Formulating pyrethroid SC with encapsulated adjuvants, such as trialkyl phosphates and vegetable oil alkyl esters, within polyurea membranes to create ZC formulations that maintain insecticidal efficacy without increasing mammalian toxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pyrethroid suspension concentrate (SC) formulations are used, then mammalian toxicity is reduced, but biological efficacy against pests is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces encapsulated adjuvants as intermediaries between the pyrethroid active ingredient and the pest. These adjuvants are encapsulated in biodegradable particles that serve as carriers, releasing the adjuvant at the application site to enhance the insecticidal activity of the pyrethroid without increasing mammalian toxicity. The encapsulated adjuvant acts as a mediator that selectively boosts efficacy against pests while maintaining the safety profile of the SC formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the formulation by encapsulating adjuvants in particles with controlled size, composition, and degradation properties. This changes the release kinetics and local concentration of the adjuvant, allowing it to enhance pest control efficacy temporarily at the application site while preventing systemic increase in mammalian toxicity. The parameter changes enable selective enhancement of biological activity.
2Productivity
If adjuvants are added to enhance insecticidal efficacy, then biological activity increases, but formulation stability deteriorates due to solubilization and crystal growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjuvant into discrete encapsulated particles distributed throughout the suspension concentrate formulation. Each particle is a separate entity with controlled solubilization properties, preventing the adjuvant from causing widespread crystal growth in the formulation. The segmentation isolates the adjuvant's stabilizing effects to local regions while maintaining overall formulation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjuvant is pre-encapsulated in biodegradable particles before formulation, which prevents direct contact between the adjuvant and the pyrethroid crystals in the suspension concentrate. This preliminary encapsulation action prevents solubilization-induced crystal growth during storage, while still allowing the adjuvant to enhance insecticidal efficacy when released at the application site.
3Ease of operation
If adjuvants are co-formulated directly with pyrethroid, then ease of use improves, but crystal growth instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulated adjuvant particles serve as intermediaries that bridge the need for direct co-formulation (for ease of use) with the need to prevent crystal growth (for stability). The encapsulation acts as a protective mediator that allows the adjuvant to be present in the final RTU formulation without causing instability, while still providing the desired insecticidal enhancement.
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
ZC formulations demonstrate enhanced insecticidal activity against agricultural pests similar to EC formulations while reducing toxicity to mammals, ensuring stability and biological potency.
Implementation Method 1
encapsulating the adjuvant... encapsulated oils... inside polyurea membranes
Implementation Method 2
a suspension concentrate stored in the presence of polymers, or carboxylate esters, or phosphates is unstable towards crystal growth, as a result of Ostwald ripening
Implementation Method 3
the polyurea membrane physically separates the dispersed active ingredient from the adjuvant
Implementation Method 4
ZC formulations made up of finely milled pyrethroids and encapsulated adjuvants are surprisingly capable of selectively enhancing the insecticidal efficacy of pyrethroid suspension concentrates against insects, without increasing the mammalian toxicity of the formulation
Data Source
AI summary
ZC formulations made up of finely milled pyrethroids and encapsulated adjuvants with enhanced insecticidal efficacy of pyrethroid suspension concentrates against insects, without increased mammalian toxicity of the formulation.