Suspo-emulsion Pesticide Formulation Using Lactic Acid Esters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Formulating stable pesticide compositions containing multiple fungicidally active compounds is challenging due to solubility issues, especially when combining high-melting and low-melting actives, as most compounds are sparingly soluble in water, leading to instability and reduced effectiveness over time.

Innovation Solution

A suspo-emulsion composition using lactic acid esters as the organic solvent, where two fungicidally active compounds with melting points below 90°C are dissolved, and a third compound with a melting point above 90°C is present as solid particles, maintaining stability and effectiveness by preventing Ostwald-ripening and ensuring homogeneous distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fungicidally active compounds are combined in a pesticide composition, then broad-spectrum protection is achieved, but formulation stability deteriorates due to solubility issues and Ostwald-ripening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroad-spectrum protectionVSAvoidformulation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses lactic acid esters as an intermediary solvent to dissolve low-melting fungicidally active compounds. This mediator enables the coexistence of multiple compounds with different melting points without causing Ostwald-ripening, thus maintaining formulation stability while achieving broad-spectrum protection through compound combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameters of active ingredients by selecting compounds with specific melting point ranges (below 90°C for dissolved compounds, above 90°C for suspended particles). This parameter control allows stable coexistence of multiple compounds in the suspo-emulsion formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high-melting and low-melting active ingredients are combined, then enhanced fungicidal activity is achieved, but formulation stability deteriorates due to Ostwald-ripening of high-melting actives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefungicidal activityVSAvoidresistance to Ostwald-ripening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Lactic acid esters serve as a specialized intermediary solvent that selectively dissolves low-melting compounds while leaving high-melting compounds as stable suspended particles. This prevents Ostwald-ripening by maintaining a clear phase boundary between dissolved and suspended components, enabling reliable fungicidal activity from both compound types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the active ingredients into two distinct functional groups: low-melting compounds (below 90°C) dissolved in lactic acid esters and high-melting compounds (above 90°C) as suspended particles. This segmentation prevents interaction-induced instability while maintaining enhanced fungicidal activity through the synergistic combination of both groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If water-soluble pesticide compounds are used, then ease of formulation is improved, but effectiveness deteriorates because most fungicidally active compounds are sparingly soluble in water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of formulationVSAvoideffective activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solubility parameters by introducing lactic acid esters as an organic solvent phase. This allows sparingly water-soluble fungicidally active compounds to be effectively formulated while maintaining their inherent effectiveness, as the lactic acid ester phase provides appropriate solubility without requiring water solubility modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhanced storage stability and maintains the physical states of active ingredients, allowing for a sprayable liquid formulation with improved fungicidal activity and broad-spectrum protection against phytopathogenic fungi.

Implementation Method 1

two fungicidally active compounds A and B soluted in a lactic acid ester as organic solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

it may not cause Ostwald-ripening of the high-melting actives

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOstwald-ripening prevention: Ostwald Ripening

Implementation Method 3

a suspo-emulsion may comprise two fungicides A and B soluted in a selected organic solvent and a third pesticidally active compound C simultaneously present in form of solid particle, all components coexisting in a stable form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS8703649B2Pesticidal suspo-emulsion compositions
Publication Date: 2014.04.22 BASF SE

AI summary

The present invention relates to formulation comprising at least (i) two pesticidal compounds A and B dissolved in a lactic acid ester and wherein a) both A and B have melting points below 900 C b) both A and B are selected from the following list: pyraclos-trobin, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, trifloxystrobin, imazalil, pro-chloraz and ipconazole with the proviso that A is different from B (ii) at least one pesticidal compound C present in solid particles, and having a melting point of 900 C and above, and to their use as seed treatment formulation as well as their use for plant protection, including seed and crop protection.