Rheum Root Polyphenol Extracts for Plant Disease Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for combating fungal plant diseases rely heavily on synthetic fungicides, which can lead to resistance issues and undesirable side effects, necessitating the development of plant-based alternatives with novel mechanisms of action that are both protective and curative.
Innovation Solution
An antifungal formulation utilizing polyphenolic extracts from the roots of Rheum species and other polyphenol-containing plants, obtained through a specific extraction process involving alcoholic solvents, gentle solvent removal, and chromatographic separation, which excludes anthraquinones and anthraquinone derivatives, resulting in effective active ingredient fractions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synthetic fungicides are used to combat fungal plant diseases, then effective disease control is achieved, but resistance development and undesirable side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using polyphenolic extracts from Rheum roots instead of synthetic fungicides. The extraction process parameters (alcoholic solvent, temperature control up to 50°C, pressure reduction) are optimized to obtain active ingredients with antifungal properties while avoiding resistance development and reducing harmful side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the beneficial polyphenolic active ingredients from Rheum roots using alcoholic solvents, then removes the solvent through gentle evaporation at reduced pressure. This extraction isolates the therapeutic components while eliminating unwanted substances, providing a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If plant-based active ingredients are used as alternatives to synthetic fungicides, then resistance risk is reduced and side effects are minimized, but the mechanism of action may be less understood and efficacy needs verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs systematic testing and evaluation of the polyphenolic extracts against various fungal pathogens to verify efficacy. The extraction process parameters are optimized based on feedback from preliminary tests, and the final formulation is validated through controlled experiments to ensure reliable disease control while maintaining the benefits of plant-based ingredients.
3Manufacturing precision
If a comprehensive extraction process is used to obtain polyphenolic extracts, then active ingredient purity and effectiveness are improved, but process complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process is divided into distinct sequential stages: initial extraction with alcoholic solvent, gentle evaporation at controlled temperature and pressure, and final concentration. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, ensuring high purity and effectiveness while making the overall complex process more manageable and controllable.
4Stability of the object's composition
If gentle solvent removal at reduced pressure and controlled temperature is used, then active ingredient degradation is minimized, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the alcoholic solvent from liquid to vapor through controlled evaporation at reduced pressure and temperatures up to 50°C. This phase change allows for gentle solvent removal that preserves thermally sensitive polyphenolic active ingredients while achieving efficient separation, balancing stability maintenance with reasonable processing time.
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 formulation demonstrates significant protective and curative effects against a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi, including Blumeria graminis, Puccinia triticina, and Oidium, with the polyphenolic extracts showing broad-spectrum activity and potential to enhance antioxidant defenses in plants, offering a sustainable solution for plant disease management.
Implementation Method 1
continuous or batchwise single or multi-stage extraction of the cleaned and comminuted roots using an alcoholic solvent
Implementation Method 2
extraction of the cleaned and comminuted roots using an alcoholic solvent
Implementation Method 3
gentle removal of the alcoholic solvent at reduced pressure and at temperatures up to a maximum of 50 °C
Implementation Method 4
removal of the alcoholic solvent at reduced pressure
Implementation Method 5
lipophilic accompanying substances being precipitated from the aqueous phase formed by cooling at a temperature of 2 to 8 °C
Implementation Method 6
other lipophilic accompanying substances are removed by subsequently shaking out the aqueous phase with petroleum ether
Implementation Method 7
extractive separation of the aqueous extract obtained under b) using an organic solvent from the group of esters, such as ethyl acetate, into a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic phase
Implementation Method 8
a column chromatographic separation on Sephadex LH-20 of the hydrophobic extract phase or the hydrophilic extract phase takes place
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to antifungal formulations for combatting plant diseases, containing at least active substances or active substance compositions of polyphenol extracts, containing no anthraquinones and anthraquinone derivatives, of the roots of the rheum species and other polyphenol-containing plants, wherein said active substances or active substance compositions can be obtained by a method comprising the following method steps: a) single-stage or multi-stage extraction, performed continuously or in batches, of the cleaned and crushed roots, wherein the roots are used undried or dried by means of an alcoholic solvent; b) careful removal of the alcoholic solvent at reduced pressure and at temperatures up to a maximum of 50 °C while adding water, wherein lipophilic accompanying substances are precipitated out from the aqueous phase which is formed by cooling at a temperature of 2 to 8 °C and are removed by means of filtration or centrifugation and further lipophilic accompanying substances are removed by subsequent extraction of the aqueous phase with light petroleum, or wherein lipophilic accompanying substances are separated off from the aqueous phase which is formed by means of liquid/liquid chromatographic processes; c) extractive separation of the aqueous extract obtained under b) using an organic solvent from the group comprising esters into a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase; and d) obtaining extracts from both extract phases from method stepc). The invention further relates to the use of said antifungal formulations for combatting fungal plant diseases.