U.S. patent application number 12/154127 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for bioactive agrichemical compositions and use thereof.
Invention is credited to Joseph J. Crudden.
Application Number | 20080299222 12/154127 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39684347 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080299222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crudden; Joseph J. |
December 4, 2008 |
Bioactive agrichemical compositions and use thereof
Abstract
Bioactive agrichemical concentrates and compositions having
improved bioactivity comprising combinations of acid solutions and
conventional bioactive agrichemical actives or formulations.
Inventors: |
Crudden; Joseph J.; (Hudson,
NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARD K. WELCH II;IP&L Solution
4558 Ashton Court
Naples
FL
34112
US
|
Family ID: |
39684347 |
Appl. No.: |
12/154127 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60930913 |
May 18, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/618 ;
424/617; 424/630; 424/641; 424/644; 424/646; 424/649; 424/650;
424/652; 424/653; 424/654; 424/655 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 25/22 20130101;
A23L 3/3508 20130101; A23L 3/358 20130101; A23L 3/3463 20130101;
A01N 25/12 20130101; A01N 59/20 20130101; A01N 59/16 20130101; A23L
3/3535 20130101; A01N 25/04 20130101; A01N 25/12 20130101; A01N
59/16 20130101; Y02A 50/359 20180101; A01N 25/30 20130101; A01N
59/26 20130101; A01N 2300/00 20130101; A01N 59/20 20130101; A01N
59/26 20130101; A01N 2300/00 20130101; A01N 59/16 20130101; A01N
37/36 20130101; A01N 37/36 20130101; A01N 59/00 20130101; A01N
59/00 20130101; A01N 37/36 20130101; A01N 59/20 20130101; A23L
3/3526 20130101; Y02A 40/943 20180101; A01N 59/16 20130101; A01N
59/20 20130101; A01N 59/20 20130101; A01N 59/00 20130101; A01N
59/26 20130101; A01N 59/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/618 ;
424/630; 424/641; 424/644; 424/650; 424/646; 424/649; 424/652;
424/653; 424/654; 424/655; 424/617 |
International
Class: |
A01N 59/16 20060101
A01N059/16; A01N 59/20 20060101 A01N059/20; A01N 59/18 20060101
A01N059/18; A01P 3/00 20060101 A01P003/00; A01P 1/00 20060101
A01P001/00 |
Claims
1. A liquid bioactive agrichemical composition comprising a) a
conventional bioactive agrichemical active or formulation and b) an
acid solution comprising i) a solvent, ii) an acid, iii) at least
one antimicrobial metal ion source, and, iv) optionally, a
surfactant, said acid and antimicrobial metal source being wholly
or partially soluble in the solvent, wherein the liquid composition
has a pH of less than 6 and wherein the acid is present in a molar
excess, relative to the antimicrobial metal ions of the source, and
the concentration of antimicrobial metal ion attributed to the acid
solution is from about 1 ppm to about 500 ppm in the case of a
single antimicrobial metal ion or from 2 ppm to 1000 ppm in the
case of multiple antimicrobial metal ions.
2. The agrichemical composition claim 1 having a pH of from 1.5 to
5 and wherein the molar excess of acid, relative to the
antimicrobial metal ions, is at least 2 times.
3. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the acid
concentration of the acid solution is from about 0.01 to about 10
weight percent and said acid is present at a molar excess, relative
to the antimicrobial metal ions, of at least 2 times.
4. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the acid is
present in a molar excess of at least 5 times.
5. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the acid
concentration of the acid solution is from about 0.1 to about 4
weight percent.
6. The antimicrobial composition of claim 1 wherein the
antimicrobial metal ions are selected from the group consisting of
silver, copper, zinc, mercury, tin, iron, gold, lead, bismuth,
cadmium, chromium, and thallium ions and combinations of any two or
more of such ions.
7. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the
antimicrobial metal ions are selected from the group consisting of
silver ions, copper ions, zinc ions, a combination of silver and
copper ions, a combination of silver and zinc ions, a combination
of copper and zinc ions and a combination of silver, copper and
zinc ions.
8. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the
antimicrobial ion is present at a concentration of from about 1 ppm
to about 300 ppm in the case of a single metal ion and from about 2
to about 500 in the case of multiple metal ions.
9. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the
antimicrobial ion is present at a concentration of from about 5 ppm
to about 150 ppm in the case of a single metal ion and from about 5
ppm to about 50 ppm in the case of multiple metal ions.
10. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the
antimicrobial metal ion source is selected from antimicrobial metal
salts, antimicrobial metal ion ion-exchange complexes and
antimicrobial metal ion containing soluble glasses.
11. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein at least one
surfactant that impacts or interacts with cell wall membranes of
microorganisms or the function thereof in an amount of from about
0.001 to about 3 weight percent.
12. The agrichemical composition of claim 11 wherein a combination
of two or more surfactants is employed, each surfactant
independently an anionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant or an
amphoteric surfactant.
13. The agrichemical composition of claim 12 wherein the
surfactants are selected from the group consisting of sulfonates,
sulfates, sulfosuccinates, sarcosinates, mono- and di- glycerides,
amine oxides, ether carboxylates, betaines, suflobetaines, and
glycinates.
14. The agrichemical composition of claim 13 wherein the
surfactants are selected from the group consisting of sulfonates,
sulfates, sulfosuccinates, sarcosinates, and amine oxides.
15. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the solvent is
water or a water-based solvent.
16. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the solvent is
a water in oil emulsion, with the acid and the antimicrobial metal
ions being present in at least the water phase.
17. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the acid is a
carboxylic acid.
18. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the acid is a
mineral acid.
19. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the
conventional fungicide is an amide, acyl amino acid, anilide,
benzanilide, furanilide, sulfonanilide, bezamide, furamide, phenyl
sulfamide, sulfonamide, valinamide, antibiotic, strobilurin,
chloroneb, chlorothalonil, dichlorobenil, dichloran, PCNB,
benzimidazole, benzothiazole, bridged diphenyl, carbamate,
benzimidazoylcarbamate, carbanilate, conazole, imidazole, triazole,
copper, dicarboximide, dichlorophenyl dicarboximide, phthalimide,
dinitrophenol, dithiocarbamate, cyclic dithiocarbamate, polymeric
dithiocarbamate, imidazole, inorganic mercuric, organomercury,
morpholine, organophosphorus, organotin, oxathiin, oxazole,
polysulfide, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, quinoline,
quinone, quinoxaline, thiazole, thiocarbamate, thiophene, triazine,
triazole, urea, or borate fungicide; provided that when the
conventional fungicide also incorporates antimicrobial metals or
metal ions, the weight or amount thereof is not included when
considering the make-up of the bioactive acid solution.
20. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the
conventional agrichemical is a fungicide selected from a
strobilurin, a dithicarbamate, a triazole fungicide or a derivative
thereof.
21. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the
conventional agrichemical is a fungicide selected from the group
consisting of strobilurin, mancozeb and myclobutanil.
22. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 wherein the efficacy of
the conventional agrichemical is enhanced as to the conventional
agrichemical alone.
23. The agrichemical composition of claim 1 further comprising one
or more conventional agrichemical additives selected from
protective colloids, adjuvants, stabilizers, binders, thickeners,
thixotropic agents, penetrating agents, antifreeze agents,
defoaming agents, foaming agents, oils for spraying, corrosion
inhibitors, surfactants, fillers, wetting agents, dispersing
agents, emulsifiers, rain fasteners, and dyes and other known
active ingredients which have pesticide or plant growth related
properties or both.
24. A method of inhibiting the growth of fungi on plants said
method comprising applying the agrichemical composition of claim 1
to the surfaces of plants to be treated at a rate whereby the
amount of antimicrobial metal ions being applied is about 500 grams
or less per acre.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the rate is such that the amount
of antimicrobial agent to be applied is from about 1 gram to about
200 grams per acre.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein the rate is such that the amount
of antimicrobial agent to be applied is from about 5 grams to about
100 grams acre.
27. A method of inhibiting the growth of fungi on seeds said method
comprising applying the agrichemical composition of claim 1 to the
seeds and allowing the solvent to evaporate.
Description
[0001] The present patent application claims the benefit of prior
filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/930,913, filed May
18, 2007 and entitled "Bioactive Compositions and Use Thereof"
which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to novel bioactive
agrichemical compositions comprising a combination of a) an acidic
solution having low levels of bioactive metal ion, alone or,
preferably, in further combination with one or more surfactants
capable of interacting with cell wall membranes of microorganisms,
especially pathogenic microbes and b) a conventional agrichemical
active, especially a fungicidal active, either as the neat active
or as a formulated agrichemical composition. These bioactive
agrichemical compositions may be used for any number of
agrichemical applications requiring the control, inhibition and/or
killing of microorganisms, especially fungi, bacteria and/or plant,
stramenophile and fungi-like protists.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Bioactive materials for killing or inhibiting the growth
and/or proliferation/spreading of bacteria, fungi, and other
microorganisms have long been sought and employed in society. Their
use dates back centuries, if not thousands of years. Early
applications had ranged from pharmaceutical or health related
applications to disinfectant and purification applications and
more. More recent applications include a whole host of uses, with
the largest use, by volume, seen in the agricultural industry.
Perhaps one of the earliest bioactive materials was metallic silver
and, subsequently, silver salts.
[0004] While early bioactive agents were most often metals and
simple metal salts, modern science and chemical synthesis have
enabled the development and production of synthetic agents, most
often organic and organometallic agents, for antibacterial,
antifungal and other like applications. Indeed, for many
applications, especially pharmaceutical applications, the organic
agents have, for the most part, eclipsed the use of inorganic
bioactive agents. While inorganic and organometallic materials
still command a significant market share of the agrichemical
business, their use is limited due to their health and safety
concerns, especially from an environment perspective. Indeed,
organic bioactive agents command a huge portion of the agrochemical
business.
[0005] Despite the great success and huge market share/volume
commanded by organic pharmaceutical, antibacterial and agrochemical
agents, they have not come without cost and consequences. In all
areas of applications, a marked and growing trend has emerged:
namely the manifestation and spreading of a resistance to such
organic agents in most all, if not all, microorganisms. While this
resistance is neither universal nor complete, it is growing and
involves more and more organic agents. As their resistance grows,
so too does their apparent virulence. In this respect, we are all
well aware of the growing resistance of bacteria, especially
pathogenic bacteria, to traditional pharmaceutical antibiotic
agents and the subsequent appearance of what are commonly referred
to as superbugs: pathogenic bacteria that show strong resistance to
traditional organic antibacterial and pharmaceutical agents.
[0006] And, whether a direct or indirect consequence of the
appearance of superbugs and/or the growing awareness of the ease by
which bacteria can spread combined with an increasing concern for
potentially pandemic diseases such as SARS and Bird Flu, we have
become a population that is more and more pre-occupied with hygiene
and general cleanliness. Consequently, there has been a huge
proliferation and exponential growth in the widespread and
indiscriminate use and application of cleansers and disinfectants
that contain organic antimicrobial agents, all in an effort to ward
off exposure to bacteria and, especially, superbugs. However, this
indiscriminate use of organic agents has come with, or at least
presents the possibility for, an overall increase in antimicrobial
resistant organisms. By eradicating the weaker organisms, the
stronger and, most often more damaging, organisms are left.
[0007] A similar consequence has manifested itself in the
agricultural industry as well, especially in that portion relating
to crop/food production. The widespread and repetitive use of
organic biocides, fungicides, antibacterial agents and the like,
has led to the manifestation of less and less efficacy of the same
against the targeted diseases: an indicator of a growing
resistance. Perhaps more alarming is the speed with which such
resistance has begun to appear. For example, despite the great
fanfare and promise behind the introduction of strobilurin
fungicides in the mid-1990s, resistance had been found after just a
couple years use in certain applications. Such a growing trend
bodes ill for an industry where fewer and fewer acres are called
upon to produce more and more crops to feed the ever growing
populations while those organisms and microorganisms responsible
for attacking such crops become stronger and stronger and more and
more resistant to traditional control means.
[0008] While resistance is certainly of great concern, perhaps and
even greater concern is the human and environmental toll associated
with the widespread use of organic antimicrobial agents. For more
than half a century now, more and more scientific literature has
appeared correlating long-term exposure (direct and indirect) and
use of such organic agrichemicals to various diseases and
teratogenic, mutanogenic, and other adverse health consequences in
animals and, more importantly, the human population. Perhaps the
watershed of this awareness is represented by the outcry relating
to the use of DDT and like pesticide agents in the 1960s. In
humans, such a correlation of birth defects, cancer, and other
diseases with organic agrichemicals is especially disconcerting for
those whose water supplies have or may become contaminated with
such organic agents due to their and/or their by-product's
solubility and long half-lives. Of course drinking water is only
one exposure source: another exposure source concern is inhalation
from dust blown up from the fields, from wayward aerosols and/or
particulates during aerial spraying and dusting, respectively, and
from exposure to the clothing of workers who, themselves, were
exposed in the fields or during application.
[0009] In an effort to move away form organic agents, more recent
attention has once again focused on the inorganic agents, including
organometallic agents, since these tend to show or have no, or
certainly less, tendency to result in resistant bacteria, fungi and
the like. However, such a trend merely reawakens the debates and
concerns relative to the large-scale dumping of heavy metals in the
environment. Although some efforts have recently focused on
improving the old, traditional inorganic agents, much more effort,
particularly in the non-agricultural arena, has seemingly focused
on more complex species and systems, in essence, synthesized
inorganic biocides such as the antimicrobial ion-exchange type
antimicrobial agents based on zeolites, hydroxy apatite, and
zirconium phosphates. Other recent biocides include those based on
electrolytically generated silver citrates; thiol-free, specialty
complexes of antimicrobial metals; sulfuric acid/sulfate complexes
prepared under high pressure and temperature; and the like. While
effective, these have limited applications and entail added costs
owing to the complex and/or lengthy synthetic processes by which
they are prepared. The latter is of especial concern in the
agricultural industry where the relative cost to performance
trade-off oftentimes precludes the use of functionally very viable
options. Here, a few cents per acre difference, even a fraction of
a cent difference per acre, can mean the world of difference in the
acceptability and utility of a given agent.
[0010] Despite their inherent environmental and health concerns,
the use of "natural" inorganic agents, including
manufactured/processed inorganic agents, has been pushed more and
more by various environmental and conservation groups, as well as
health advocates, as a favorable replacement to organic agents.
While such pressure alone is not likely to change the industry, the
growing resistance to organic agents combined with the higher and
higher costs of synthetic organic agents, is certainly having an
impact: not only in the agricultural industry but across the board
in all applications for such bioactive agents. However, as noted
above, the reintroduction of and/or increased use of inorganic
agents merely brings to the forefront the very issues that caused
them to be pushed back to begin with, namely environmental toxicity
and contamination and bioaccumulation. Concern is not just for the
effects during application, but more so for the long term effects
associated with the continual build-up of these inorganic agents or
their derivatives, especially the metals, in the environment and in
living organisms. Such build-up not only pertains to the soils that
are treated but also underground water supplies that may be
replenished from the treated fields. Concern also exists, sometimes
more so, for the consequences of rain-water run-off carrying the
metals into local streams and, again, downstream water supplies.
Ultimately, this build-up also occurs in the food chain, with
higher and higher concentrations being found in those species in
the higher order of the food chain. Ultimately, this affects the
human supply chain as seen, for example with mercury and other
metals in tuna and swordfish. While many metals, at least at low
exposure levels, have little or no affect on humans, their impact
is far greater on marine and other aquatic life, especially fish,
which tend to be extremely sensitive to heavy metals, like silver,
resulting in increase stress and, in extreme exposure situations,
widespread kills.
[0011] Consequently, as part of this resurgence of inorganic
bioactive agents, there has been a significant increase in research
and development dollars and time spent to address concerns relative
to the use of such inorganic agents. A prime focus has been with
respect to making more concentrated materials that, it is hoped,
will enable the use of less overall materials. In the agrichemical
arena, one of the inorganic agents receiving the greatest
attention, owing to its high efficacy, is copper. Indeed, it is
thought that copper could see a manifold increase in use as organic
agents are either precluded from use or farmers opt out for more
natural agents. According to NCFAP data, in 1997 more than 13.7
million pounds of copper was used in fungicide applications as
compared to 40 million pounds of synthetic fungicides at a
treatment rate of about one-half that of copper. If all synthetic
fungicides were to have been supplanted by copper, it would have
resulted in an increase of more than 80 million pounds of copper
released into the environment. Now, ten years later, though data is
not available, one can only assume the amounts are much higher.
Furthermore, this is but one use of copper: copper and copper based
bioactive compositions are also used in other areas such as
algaecides, etc. Regardless, it is clear that any significant shift
from synthetic to copper fungicides, algaecides, etc. means a huge
impact and release of copper into the environment.
[0012] As noted above, recent R&D efforts with inorganic
fungicides have focused on the development of improved inorganic
agents that produce better effects with less application. Indeed,
in August 2006, DuPont, one of the leading manufacturers of
agrichemicals, especially copper based fungicides, announced
certain breakthroughs, as they described them, in copper
fungicides, specifically its Kocide 3000 copper hydroxide based
fungicide, touting their ability to provide more antifungal action
with less copper. Still, its typical application rate is on the
order of 1650 grams of copper per acre per application, with
somewhat lower rates, 330 grams per acre, allowed for certain
applications. While certainly an improvement over conventional or
traditional copper based fungicides which are applied at nearly 4.5
pounds per acre, it still means the intentional release of huge
amounts of copper into the environment, even more if the
environmentalists are successful in removing or banning the use of
more and more organic agents.
[0013] Thus, there is still a tremendous need for cost effective,
inorganic agrichemical agents that provide good antimicrobial,
antifungal, antibacterial, etc., activity without concern for
resistance build-up.
[0014] In following, there is a need for inorganic antimicrobial,
antifungal, antibacterial, etc., agents that may be used
universally, or nearly so, without concern, or certainly with
reduced concern for environmental contamination and toxicity,
especially less so than exists with current inorganic agents.
[0015] Similarly, there is a need for inorganic agents that are
stable and easy to use, and provide good short term and,
preferably, longer term efficacy as compared to many of the current
short lived organic agents.
[0016] Additionally, there is a need for such inorganic agents that
can safely be use in agricultural and horticultural applications,
including soil and seed treatment, crop/food producing plants and
trees, ornamental and flowing plants and tress, fee and ornamental
grasses, and the like with minimal exposure concerns.
[0017] Furthermore, there is a need for inorganic bioactive agents
that can be use in combination with conventional inorganic and,
preferably, organic agrichemical actives and compositions,
especially, antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-protist,
etc. agents with synergistic results; thus, enabling less use,
overall, of such actives.
[0018] Finally, there is a need for bioactive agents that provide
efficacious antimicrobial, antifungal, antiprotist, and/or
antibacterial performance with minimal release of inorganic metals
to the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention there are
provided solid form bioactive agrichemical concentrates comprising
a) a conventional solid form bioactive agrichemical active, either
in its neat form or a formulated form and b) a solid bioactive acid
composition comprising an acid, especially a weak or moderate acid,
at least one source of at least one antimicrobial metal ion, and,
optionally, though preferably, at least one surfactant, especially
at least one anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric surfactant, that
impacts or interacts with cell wall membranes of microorganisms,
especially pathogenic microbes, or the function thereof, said acid
being present in at least 40 weight percent, preferably from 40 to
80 percent, based on the total weight of the bioactive acid
composition, and at a level that represents at least a 2 times
molar excess relative to the antimicrobial metal ions of the
source, said bioactive acid composition having a pH of less than 6,
preferably from about 1.5 to 5, when diluted in a solvent,
especially water, to a point where the amount of antimicrobial
metal ion is 500 ppm or less in the case of a single ion or 1000
ppm or less in the case or multiple antimicrobial metal ions.
Generally, the weight ratio of the conventional bioactive
agrichemical to the bioactive acid composition is such that when
the concentrate is diluted or let down to the formulation to be
applied, the amount of the antimicrobial metal ion, based on the
antimicrobial metal ions of the bioactive acid composition, is 500
ppm or less in the case of a single antimicrobial ion or 1000 ppm
or less in the case or multiple antimicrobial metal ions and the
conventional bioactive agrichemical active is present at or near
its conventional application amount or less. These solid
concentrates may be let down by dry blending with solid diluents or
fillers before application or they may be transformed into liquid
form using liquid diluents or fillers.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
are provided liquid form bioactive agrichemical concentrates
comprising a) a conventional bioactive agrichemical active, either
in its neat or a formulated form, and b) an aqueous or
aqueous-based bioactive acid solution comprising a concentrated
acid solution, especially of a weak or moderate acid, at least one
antimicrobial metal ion or antimicrobial metal ion source fully or
partially dissolved in said acid solution and, optionally, though
preferably, at least one surfactant, especially at least one
anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric surfactant, that impacts or
interacts with cell wall membranes of microorganisms, especially
pathogenic microbes, or the function thereof, wherein the
concentration of the acid, based on the total weight to the
bioactive acid solution is at least about 40 weight percent,
preferably from 40 to 80 percent, acid and the acid is present a
level that is at least a 2 times molar excess relative to the
antimicrobial metal ion(s), and wherein, the pH of the bioactive
acid solution is less than 6, preferably 1.5 to 5, when the
concentrated bioactive acid solution is diluted in a solvent,
especially water, to a point where the amount of antimicrobial
metal ion is 500 ppm or less in the case of a single ion or 1000
ppm or less in the case or multiple antimicrobial metal ions.
Preferably, the conventional agrichemical active is dissolved in or
miscible with the concentrated bioactive acid solution or in a
solvent miscible with the bioactive acid solution. Alternatively,
where the conventional agrichemical active is insoluble in water or
the aqueous-based solvent, it may be dissolved in a water
immiscible solvent and the concentrate exists as emulsion or
suspension. Generally, the weight ratio of the conventional
bioactive agrichemical to the bioactive acid composition is such
that when the concentrate is diluted or let down to the formulation
to be applied, the amount of the antimicrobial metal ion, based on
the antimicrobial metal ions of the bioactive acid composition, is
500 ppm or less in the case of a single antimicrobial ion or 1000
ppm or less in the case or multiple antimicrobial metal ions and
the conventional bioactive agrichemical active is present at or
near its conventional application amount or less. These liquid
concentrates may be let down by mixing with an appropriate solvent,
most especially water or an aqueous-based solvent, for application.
Alternatively, the concentrate may be applied as is or in a diluted
state to a solid, absorbent material for application.
[0021] According to a third embodiment of the present invention,
there are provided flowable bioactive agrichemical compositions in
particle form, e.g., dusts, granules, powders, or combinations
thereof, comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of a) a
conventional bioactive agrichemical in particle form and b) a solid
carrier particle which has been treated with a bioactive acid
solution, especially an aqueous or aqueous-based solution, having a
pH of less than 6, preferably 1.5 to 5, and comprising an acid,
especially a weak or moderate acid, at least one antimicrobial
metal ion source, and, optionally, though preferably, at least one
surfactant, especially at least one anionic, non-ionic and/or
amphoteric surfactant, that impacts or interacts with cell wall
membranes of microorganisms, especially pathogenic microbes, or the
function thereof, said acid present in a molar excess, relative to
the antimicrobial metal ions, where the amount of antimicrobial
metal ion is 500 ppm or less in the case of a single ion or 1000
ppm or less in the case or multiple antimicrobial metal ions. This
embodiment also contemplates that the solid carrier material
treated with the bioactive acid solution is the conventional
bioactive agrichemical composition itself, e.g., where the
bioactive active is present as a formulated active on an
appropriate absorbent or adsorbent carrier or is present as a
granule of the active and a solid filler or diluent material.
Generally speaking, the formulation of the inventive bioactive
agrichemical composition will be such that, when applied in use,
the application rate or amount of the conventional bioactive
agrichemical will be at or near the conventional application amount
or less and the amount of the bioactive acid solution originated
antimicrobial metal ion(s) applied will be no more than about 500
grams per acre, preferably no more than 250 grams per acre.
[0022] According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,
there are provided flowable bioactive agrichemical compositions in
particle form, e.g., dusts, granules, powders, or combinations
thereof, comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of a) a
conventional bioactive agrichemical in particle form and b) a
bioactive acid composition in particle form, preferably a powder,
said bioactive acid composition having been made by i) forming an
aqueous solution of an acid, especially a weak or moderate acid, at
least one antimicrobial metal ion source, and, optionally, though
preferably, at least one surfactant, especially at least one
anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric surfactant, that impacts or
interacts with cell wall membranes of microorganisms, especially
pathogenic microbes, or the function thereof, said acid present in
a molar excess, relative to the antimicrobial metal ions, where the
amount of antimicrobial metal ion is 500 ppm or less in the case of
a single ion or 1000 ppm or less in the case or multiple
antimicrobial metal ions, ii) allowing the water to evaporate to
form the solid bioactive acid and iii) if necessary, grinding or
crushing the formed solid bioactive acid to form a powder. As with
the previous embodiment, the formulation of the inventive bioactive
agrichemical composition will be such that, when applied in use,
the application rate or amount of the conventional bioactive
agrichemical will be at or near the conventional application amount
or less and the amount of the bioactive acid solution originated
antimicrobial metal ion(s) applied will be no more than about 500
grams per acre, preferably no more than 250 grams per acre.
[0023] According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention
there are provided liquid bioactive agrichemical compositions
comprising a) a suitable solvent or solvent system, b) a
conventional bioactive agrichemical active dissolved in said
solvent or solvent system, c) an acid, especially a weak or
moderate acid, d) at least one antimicrobial metal ion source, and
e) optionally, though preferably, at least one surfactant,
especially at least one anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric
surfactant, that impacts or interacts with cell wall membranes of
microorganisms, especially pathogenic microbes, or the function
thereof, wherein the solution of the acid and solvent has a pH of
less than 6, preferably 1.5 to 5, prior to, and preferably after as
well, the addition of the conventional bioactive active, said acid
present in a molar excess relative to the antimicrobial metal ions
of the source (d) and wherein the amount of antimicrobial metal
ions attributed to the source (d) is 500 ppm or less in the case of
a single ion or 1000 ppm or less in the case or multiple
antimicrobial metal ions. Most preferably, the solvent is water or
a water-based solvent system, most preferably water, and the
conventional bioactive active, the acid and the antimicrobial metal
ion source are all wholly or substantially soluble or miscible in
the solvent. Where the conventional bioactive active is not soluble
or miscible in water or a water-based solvent, it may be dissolved
in an appropriate non-aqueous solvent, including a lipophilic
solvent, and the metal source and acid are dissolved in water or a
water-based solvent and the two solutions combined to form a
suspension or emulsion. Generally speaking, this formulation of the
inventive bioactive agrichemical composition will be such that,
when applied in use, the application rate or amount of the
conventional bioactive agrichemical will be at or near the
conventional application amount or less and the amount of the
bioactive acid solution originated antimicrobial metal ion(s)
applied will be no more than about 500 grams per acre, preferably
no more than 250 grams per acre.
[0024] According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a method of making a solid form bioactive
agrichemical concentrate comprising dry mixing a) a conventional
solid form bioactive agrichemical active, either in its neat form
or a formulated form, b) an acid, especially a weak or moderate
acid, c) at least one source of at least one antimicrobial metal
ion, and d) optionally, though preferably, at least one surfactant,
especially at least one anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric
surfactant, that impacts or interacts with cell wall membranes of
microorganisms, especially pathogenic microbes, or the function
thereof, said acid being present in at least 40 weight percent,
based on the total weight of the acid and antimicrobial metal ions
source, and at a level that represents at least a 2 times molar
excess relative to the antimicrobial metal ions of the source, the
acid being present in an amount whereby a solution made by adding
the acid and the antimicrobial metal ions source to water will have
a pH of less than 6, preferably from about 1.5 to 5, when diluted
to a point where the amount of antimicrobial metal ion is 500 ppm
or less in the case of a single ion or 1000 ppm or less in the case
or multiple antimicrobial metal ions. Preferably the acid,
antimicrobial metal ion source and, if present, the surfactant are
premixed before combining with the conventional fungicide active.
Most preferably, these ingredients are first dissolved in an
appropriate volatile solvent, especially water or a water-based
solvent, and then the solvent is allowed to evaporate to leave a
cake which is them combined with or, preferably, first ground or
crushed and then combined with the conventional bioactive
active.
[0025] According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a method of making a liquid bioactive
agrichemical concentrate said method comprising forming an
concentrated aqueous or aqueous-based acid solution of an acid,
preferably a weak or medium acid, wherein the concentration of the
acid is at least 40% by weight, dissolving in the concentrated acid
solution at least one antimicrobial metal ion source and,
optionally, though preferably, at least one water-soluble
surfactant, preferably an anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric
surfactant, and then dissolving in said concentrate bioactive acid
solution a conventional bioactive agrichemical active which is
soluble or miscible in said bioactive acid solution or, if not, is
dissolved in another suitable solvent and the two solutions
combined to form a concentrate emulsion or suspension.
[0026] According to a eighth embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a method of preventing or inhibiting the growth
of plant pathogens, especially fungi, bacteria and/or plant,
stramenophile and fungi-like protists in agricultural, including
horticultural, applications, said method comprising applying to the
seeds of the pertinent crop or plant; to the soil in which the
seed, crop or plant is or is to be planted; to the aqueous
environment in which the plants are growing; or to the matter of
the plant itself, a flowable bioactive agrichemical composition in
particle form comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of a)
a conventional bioactive agrichemical in particle form and b) a
solid carrier particle which has been treated with a bioactive acid
solution, especially an aqueous or aqueous-based solution, having a
pH of less than 6, preferably 1.5 to 5, and comprising an acid,
especially a weak or moderate acid, at least one antimicrobial
metal ion source, and, optionally, though preferably, at least one
surfactant, especially at least one anionic, non-ionic and/or
amphoteric surfactant, that impacts or interacts with cell wall
membranes of microorganisms, especially pathogenic microbes, or the
function thereof, said acid present in a molar excess, relative to
the antimicrobial metal ions, where the amount of antimicrobial
metal ion is 500 ppm or less in the case of a single ion or 1000
ppm or less in the case or multiple antimicrobial metal ions. This
embodiment also contemplates that the solid carrier material
treated with the bioactive acid solution is the conventional
bioactive agrichemical composition itself, e.g., where the
bioactive active is present as a formulated active on an
appropriate absorbent or adsorbent carrier or is present as a
granule of the active and a solid filler or diluent material. Most
preferably, the composition according to this method will further
comprise at least one agent for adhering or enhancing the adherence
of the bioactive agrichemical actives to the matter being treated.
Generally speaking, the inventive bioactive agrichemical
composition will be applied at a rate or amount whereby the
conventional bioactive agrichemical will be at or near the
conventional application amount or less and the amount of the
bioactive acid solution originated antimicrobial metal ion(s)
applied will be no more than about 500 grams per acre, preferably
no more than 250 grams per acre.
[0027] According to a ninth embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a method of preventing or inhibiting the growth
of plant pathogens, especially fungi, bacteria and/or plant,
stramenophile and fungi-like protists in agricultural, including
horticultural, applications, said method comprising applying to the
seeds of the pertinent crop or plant; to the soil in which the
seed, crop or plant is or is to be planted; to the aqueous
environment in which the plants are growing; or to the matter of
the plant itself, a flowable bioactive agrichemical composition in
particle form comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of a)
a conventional bioactive agrichemical in particle form and b) a
bioactive acid composition in particle form, preferably a powder,
said bioactive acid composition having been made by: i) forming an
aqueous solution of an acid, especially a weak or moderate acid, at
least one antimicrobial metal ion source, and, optionally, though
preferably, at least one surfactant, especially at least one
anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric surfactant, that impacts or
interacts with cell wall membranes of microorganisms, especially
pathogenic microbes, or the function thereof, said acid present in
a molar excess, relative to the antimicrobial metal ions, where the
amount of antimicrobial metal ion is 500 ppm or less in the case of
a single ion or 1000 ppm or less in the case or multiple
antimicrobial metal ions, ii) allowing the water to evaporate to
form the solid bioactive acid and iii) if necessary, grinding or
crushing the formed solid bioactive acid to form a powder. Most
preferably, the composition according to this method will further
comprise at least one agent for adhering or enhancing the adherence
of the bioactive agrichemical actives to the matter being treated.
As with the previous embodiment, the formulation of the inventive
bioactive agrichemical composition will be such that, when applied
in use, the application rate or amount of the conventional
bioactive agrichemical will be at or near the conventional
application amount or less and the amount of the bioactive acid
solution originated antimicrobial metal ion(s) applied will be no
more than about 500 grams per acre, preferably no more than 250
grams per acre.
[0028] According to a tenth embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a method of preventing or inhibiting the growth
of plant pathogens, especially fungi, bacteria and/or plant,
stramenophile and fungi-like protists in agricultural, including
horticultural, applications, said method comprising applying to the
seeds of the pertinent crop or plant; to the soil in which the
seed, crop or plant is or is to be planted; to the aqueous
environment in which the plants are growing; or to the matter of
the plant itself, liquid bioactive agrichemical compositions
comprising a) a suitable solvent or solvent system, b) a
conventional bioactive agrichemical active dissolved in said
solvent or solvent system, c) an acid, especially a weak or
moderate acid, d) at least one antimicrobial metal ion source, and,
e) optionally, though preferably, at least one surfactant,
especially at least one anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric
surfactant, that impacts or interacts with cell wall membranes of
microorganisms, especially pathogenic microbes, or the function
thereof, wherein the solution of the acid and solvent has a pH of
less than 6, preferably 1.5 to 5, prior to, and preferably after as
well, the addition of the conventional bioactive active, said acid
present in a molar excess relative to the antimicrobial metal ions
of the source (d) and wherein the amount of antimicrobial metal
ions attributed to the source (d) is 500 ppm or less in the case of
a single ion or 1000 ppm or less in the case or multiple
antimicrobial metal ions. Most preferably, the solvent is water or
a water-based solvent system, most preferably water, and the
conventional bioactive active, the acid and the antimicrobial metal
ion source are all wholly or substantially soluble or miscible in
the solvent. Where the conventional bioactive active is not soluble
or miscible in water or a water-based solvent, it may be dissolved
in an appropriate non-aqueous solvent, including a lipophilic
solvent and the metal source and acid are dissolved in water or a
water-based solvent and the two solutions combined to form a
suspension or emulsion. Generally speaking, this formulation of the
inventive bioactive agrichemical composition will be such that,
when applied in use, the application rate or amount of the
conventional bioactive agrichemical will be at or near the
conventional application amount or less and the amount of the
bioactive acid solution originated antimicrobial metal ion(s)
applied will be no more than about 500 grams per acre, preferably
no more than 250 grams per acre.
[0029] Inasmuch as a key objective of the present invention is to
lessen the amount of metals entering the environment, preferred
embodiments of each of the foregoing embodiments will such that the
contribution of antimicrobial metal ions from the antimicrobial
metal ion source will be no more than 300 ppm, most preferably no
more than 50 ppm, in the case of a single antimicrobial metal ion
and no more than 500 ppm, preferably no more than 150 ppm, in the
case of multiple antimicrobial metal ions.
[0030] Inasmuch as it is also an objective of the present invention
to avoid the use of materials that induce phytotoxicity, the acids
are preferably organic acids, most preferably carboxylic acids,
and/or the bioactive acid solution, in the diluted state has a pH
of greater than 2 and less than 6.
[0031] Finally, inasmuch as it is also an objective of the present
invention to minimize or reduce the amount of conventional
bioactive agrichemicals, especially fungicides and anti-protists
agents for fungi-like and plant-like protests, the present
invention also, and especially, relates to synergistic combinations
of the antimicrobial metal ion-acid compositions and the
conventional bioactive agrichemical agents whereby the amount of
the latter is considerably less than, up to 25 percent less than,
preferably up to 50 percent, less than, the conventional amount
needed to achieve the same result when employed by itself.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The present invention embraces many different embodiments,
as set forth above, all of which have significant degree of common
characteristics and make-up. Yet, while the foregoing sets forth
each embodiment in its most general respect, there are many aspects
of each that are, in certain embodiments, common and others that
are unique to their embodiments. In its most fundamental respect,
the invention pertains to compositions comprising a) one or more
antimicrobial metal ions or ion sources in combination with an acid
or in an acidic solution, optionally, further including one or more
surfactants in combination with b) one or more conventional
agrichemical actives for combating or preventing the growth or
proliferation of fungi, bacteria, viruses, and plant, stramenophile
and fungi-like protists, or formulated products containing one or
more of such actives. The first component (a) may exist as a
solution or a mixture of the solid components and is generally
referred to herein as the "bioactive acid solution" and the
"bioactive acid composition, respectively, or jointly the
"bioactive acid solution or composition." Generally, and
preferably, the bioactive acid solution or bioactive acid
composition, especially the combination of the acid and the
antimicrobial metal ion source, is prepared before the addition of
the conventional agrichemical active; however, it is also
contemplated that the bioactive acid solution or bioactive acid
composition, as appropriate, need not be pre-formed. These
bioactive acid solutions and compositions, as well as concentrates
thereof, are more fully discussed in and the subject of
International Patent Application No. ______ and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ both of which are entitled "Bioactive
Acid Agrichemical Compositions and Use Thereof" and were filed on
the same day as this application with the same inventors as the
present application, both of which are incorporated herein in their
entirety by reference.
[0033] For convenience in drafting and simplicity in reading this
application, the word "bioactive" is intended to include agents
that kill or prevent or inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of
bacteria, fungi, viruses, and plant, stramenophile and fungi-like
protists that attack or adversely affect, even from a purely
esthetic standpoint, plants and trees, especially those associated
with the agricultural and horticultural products including food
crops, feed crops, flowers, ornamentals, turf, and the like, i.e.,
plant pathogens. Generally, the present invention is discussed in
terms of "fungicides" and "antifungal activity" as well as
fungicidal actives; though it is to be understood that it is not
limited thereto. Similarly, the word "active", especially in
reference to the conventional bioactive agrichemical materials
refers to those compounds or compositions that are directly
responsible for the bioefficacy of the bioactive agrichemical in
addressing the agricultural or horticultural bacteria, fungi, etc.
A formulated active is one that in addition to the active
ingredient also contains one or more other constituents that may or
may not influence the bioefficacy of the active, but in any event
are not themselves directly responsible for killing or preventing
the growth of the targeted microorganism.
[0034] The acids that may be used in the present invention are
either solid or liquid in their natural state, but are readily
dissolved in or miscible with water or an aqueous based solvent or
the organic carrier or diluent employed for the particular
application to be addressed. For example, if one is intending to
make an oil or oil-based fungicide, the acid must be soluble in or
miscible with the oil of the bioactive composition. Most
preferably, where an oil-based or oil-soluble/-miscible
conventional fungicide is employed, e.g., an aqueous environment,
the conventional active will be dissolved in the organic solvent
and the acid and antimicrobial metal ion source in water and the
bioactive composition of the present invention will exist as an
emulsion or suspension.
[0035] Exemplary acids include the organic acids, especially the
carboxylic acids such as citric acid, valeric acid, itaconic acid,
acetic, citriconic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, succinic acid,
aldaric acid, malonic acid, proprionic acid, malonic acid, maleic
acid, salicylic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acids, benzoic acid
and the like, as well as the mineral acids such as nitric acid,
sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, and the like. The
preference is for weaker or moderate acids such as aldaric, citric,
malic, and lactic acids as opposed to the moderate to strong
mineral acids like boric and phosphoric acids. However, strong
acids, especially strong mineral acids like sulfuric or nitric
acid, may be used; however, depending upon the strength of the
acid, it may be preferable to buffer the acid so as to avoid
handling and use problems, especially problems associated with the
substrate to which the bioactive composition is to be applied. This
is particularly important for bioactive agrichemical compositions
to be applied to plants, animals and crops or foodstuffs since the
acid may damage the substrate, directly or indirectly. In plants,
for example, there is considerable concern for phytotoxicity
resulting from acid treatments alone or in combination with metal
compounds such as copper fungicides and the like. Thus, while
efficacious, it is most preferable to avoid mineral acids and,
instead, employ carboxylic acids. Additionally, though some
suitable acids fall outside of this range, it is desirable that the
pKa (in water @25.degree. C.) of the acid be greater than 0,
preferably greater than 1, most preferably greater than 1.5.
[0036] Generally speaking, and despite the strong efficacy of
phosphoric acid and nitric acid, it is preferred that weak or
moderate acids be used. This is especially desirable as it avoids
the potential need for buffering agents, which are not desired.
While it is to be appreciated that other surfactants, fungicides,
wetting agents, emulsifiers, and the like that may be, and,
depending upon the end use application, are likely to be added to
the inventive compositions of the present invention, may have a
buffering effect on the pH of these bioactive systems, this effect
is not an intended or necessarily desirable effect. Indeed, it may
be necessary to add more acid to the composition in order to
maintain the required level of acidity.
[0037] As noted, acidity is critical to the efficacy of the
bioactive agrichemicals of the present invention. Generally
speaking, the pH of the bioactive acid solution or bioactive acid
composition, prior to the addition of the conventional bioactive
agrichemical and other ancillary components, will be less than 6,
preferably from about 1.5 to 5 and more preferably from about 2 to
about 4, most preferably greater than 2. Most preferably, the fully
formulated bioactive agrichemical compositions of the present
invention will also meet the foregoing pH limitations when or when
diluted to that concentration that is to be applied. In the case of
assessing or confirming the pH of the solid bioactive acid
composition or a solid bioactive agrichemical according to the
present invention, the bioactive acid composition or, as
appropriate, the bioactive agrichemical is first dissolved in water
to a concentration equivalent to that at which it would be applied
in use, and the pH measured.
[0038] The second critical aspect of the acid concentration relates
to the molar equivalence to the antimicrobial metal ions present in
the bioactive acid composition or bioactive acid solution. At a
minimum, there must be a 2 times molar excess, though preferably
there is at least a 5 times, and most preferably at least a 10
times, molar excess acid. These levels are typically attained by
formulating bioactive acid solutions whereby the acid concentration
in the final diluted state of the bioactive composition is from
about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 4% by
weight of the solution. Higher concentrations may also be used,
e.g., up to 20% or more, provided that the substrate to which the
bioactive composition is to be applied is not affected by the
higher acid content and/or the acid is a weak or weakly moderate
acid. Certainly, higher concentrations will be used in the
production of concentrates as discussed below.
[0039] The second critical component of the bioactive compositions
is the antimicrobial metal ion: more aptly its metal ion source.
Suitable metal ions are selected from the group consisting
antimicrobial transition metal ions and poor metal ions that have
shown antimicrobial bioefficacy. Preferred metal ions are selected
from the group consisting of silver, copper, zinc, mercury, tin,
gold, lead, iron, bismuth, cadmium, chromium and thallium ions or
combinations of any two or more of the foregoing. Most preferably,
the metal ions are selected from the group consisting of silver,
copper and zinc ions and combinations of any two or all three.
Bioactive compositions in which at least two and preferably all
three of these preferred ions are present are especially beneficial
and preferred. Where multiple antimicrobial metal ions are present,
each will be present in a molar amount of 3 to 97 percent,
preferably 9 to 91 percent, more preferably 20 to 80 percent. In
its preferred embodiment, where multiple metal ions are present,
they will be present in an equal amount whereby no one metal ion is
more than 20 times, more preferably no more than 10 times that of
any other metal ion. Especially good results have been found where
each antimicrobial metal ion is present in an equal amount, by
weight.
[0040] The metal ion is added to the acid solution or, as
appropriate, the acid, in the form of a source compound, salt or
complex that readily releases the ions or otherwise dissociates in
the acid solution or when the source and acid are dissolved in a
solvent, especially water or a water-based solvent. Exemplary salts
and organometallic compounds that may suitably serve as the ion
sources include the respective oxides, sulfides, carbonates,
nitrates, phosphates, dihydrogen phosphates, sulfates, oxalates,
quinolinolates, thiosulfates, sulfonates, phthalates, hydroxides,
glycolates, and the like of the antimicrobial metals as well as the
carboxylic acid salts thereof, especially the simple carboxylates,
such as the citrates, benzoates, acetates, lactates, etc. of said
antimicrobial metals. Other salts such as the halide salts and
substituted halide salts, such as the halides,
hexafluoroantimonates, tetrafluoroborates, and perchlorates of said
antimicrobial metals may be used though they are less desirable as
they tend to have slow and/or poor solubility, especially in water.
Specific metal ion sources include, but are certainly not limited
to, silver nitrate, silver oxide, silver acetate, silver citrate,
cupric oxide, copper hydroxide, cuprous oxide, copper oxychloride,
cupric acetate, copper quinolinolate, copper citrate, zinc oxide,
zinc citrate, and the like.
[0041] It has also been surprisingly found that certain inorganic
complexes may also serve as the metal ion source. Specifically,
ion-exchange type antimicrobial agents and dissolving glass
antimicrobial agents may be used where the carrier matrix of these
materials is soluble in the acid or diluted acid. For example, it
has been found that zeolites are readily soluble in concentrated
citric acid. Here the metal ion source or sources are added to the
acid with mixing until the particles are dissolved. It is also
contemplated that these metal ion sources may be only partially
dissolved so as to provide for a longer term source of the
antimicrobial metal ion. While these ion sources tend to dissolve
in the diluted acid, to speed up and/or enhance the dissolving of
the metal ion source, it is preferable to dissolve them in a
concentrated acid solution, preferably one of from about 40% to 80%
concentration.
[0042] Suitable ion-exchange type agents include, but are not
limited to aluminosilicates, zeolites, hydroxyapatite, and
zirconium phosphates, all of which are commercially available
and/or fully described in the patent literature. For example,
antimicrobial metal ion-containing hydroxyapatite particles are
described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,009,898 and 5,268,174;
antimicrobial metal ion-containing zirconium phosphates are
described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,025,608; 4,059,679; 5,296,238;
5,441,717 and 5,405,644 as well as in the Journal of Antibacterial
and Antifungal Agents, Vol. 22, No. 10, pp. 595-601, 1994; and
antimicrobial metal ion-containing aluminosilicates and zeolites
are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,911,898; 4,911,899;
4,938,955; 4,938,958; 4,906,464; and 4,775,585, all of the
aforementioned patents hereby being incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety. Suitable soluble glasses include those
described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,585, which is also
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0043] While individual metal ion sources may be used, it is also
desirable to use combinations of metal ion sources so as to provide
a mixture of metal ions. In certain instances, a single source may
provide multiple metal ions. For example, preferred ion-exchange
type metal ion sources include AgION AJ10D which contains both
silver and zinc ions and AgION AC10D which includes both silver and
copper ions. Most preferably, the metal ion sources are the readily
soluble salts and compounds, as mentioned above, and most
preferably the combination of such compounds whereby solutions
having equal or relatively equal concentrations of each of silver,
copper and zinc ions are prepared. Suitable combinations include
combinations of silver citrate, copper citrate and zinc citrate as
well as combinations of silver nitrate, copper sulfate and zinc
oxide.
[0044] The amount of the antimicrobial metal ion source to be
incorporated into the acid solution or, as appropriate, to be
combined with the acid is that which is sufficient to provide a
concentration of from about 1 ppm to about 500 ppm, preferably from
about 1 ppm to about 300 ppm, more preferably about 2 ppm to about
100 ppm, most preferably from about 5 to about 50 ppm of each
antimicrobial metal ion, in the bioactive acid solution or
bioactive acid composition at its diluted, end-use concentration.
Where multiple metal ions and/or metal ion sources are used to
provide combinations of metal ions, the total concentration of
metal ions in the solutions should be from about 2 ppm to about
1000 ppm, preferably from about 2 ppm to about 500 ppm, more
preferably from about 5 ppm to 300 ppm, most preferably from about
5 ppm to about 150 ppm, in the bioactive acid solution or bioactive
acid composition at its diluted, end-use concentration. Of course
higher levels could be used but are not necessary to provide
suitable bioefficacy and, more importantly, such higher use
conflicts with the desired intent of minimizing metal addition to
the environment. Thus, in following with said objective, it is
preferable to use the minimal, or nearly so, amount possible for
the desired application.
[0045] In agricultural and horticultural applications,
phytotoxicity is especially of concern. Thus, in accordance with
the agricultural and horticultural applications of this invention,
especially for application to seedlings and plants, the level of
the metals should be less than would otherwise cause phytotoxicity.
Most preferably, as noted above, the objective is to use as low a
level of metal ion as is reasonably possible yet continue to
provide the benefits desired, especially fungicidal, protisticidal,
and/or antimicrobial properties. This concern is especially
pertinent to those compositions containing copper alone or in
combination with one or more of the other metals and most
especially, where the conventional fungicide or bioactive active is
a copper or material. In this respect, it should be noted that the
aforementioned limitations on the antimicrobial metal ions refers
only to those antimicrobial metal ions contributed by the one or
more sources of antimicrobial metal ions associated with the
bioactive acid solution or bioactive acid composition, and not to
the copper or any other antimicrobial metals or metal ions that may
be contributed by the conventional bioactive agrichemical used in
combination with the bioactive acid solutions or bioactive acid
compositions. Indeed, owning to the synergies found with the
present invention, the total content of such antimicrobial metals,
especially copper, is likely less than the would be found with just
the conventional bioactive agrichemical to achieve the same
result.
[0046] Optionally, though preferably, the bioactive acid solutions
or bioactive acid compositions, and, in any event, the bioactive
agrichemical compositions of the present invention include one or
more surfactants, especially water soluble surfactants. Although
good results have been achieved in weak and moderate acid bioactive
acid solutions without the surfactants, the use of the surfactant
should be and is generally preferred with such acids. Furthermore,
while certain strong and very strong acids, especially mineral
acids, do not warrant the need for surfactants, e.g., phosphoric
acid, it is especially desirable, and in some instances necessary,
e.g., where other than only short term bioefficacy is desired, to
employ one or more surfactants. Especially preferred surfactants
are those that affect or interact with cell walls or membranes of
microorganisms, especially pathogenic microbes, or their function.
Suitable surfactants include anionic, cationic, non-ionic and
amphoteric (e.g., zwitterionic) surfactants, especially those that
are water soluble or show relatively good water solubility.
Preferably the surfactants are anionic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric
surfactants such as the sulfonates, sulfates, sulfosuccinates,
sarcosinates, mono and diglycerides, amine oxides, ether
carboxylates, betaines, sulfobetaines, gylcinates and the like.
Generally, cationic and those non-ionic surfactants having
polyalkylether units, especially polyethylene oxide units, with
degrees of polymerization of the alkylene ether unit of greater
than about 6 do not show the same level of effectives in providing
synergy to the bioactive compositions as the other surfactants.
Nonetheless, such surfactants may be used in combination with
effective surfactants so long as they do not materially detract
from or reduce the bioefficacy of the compositions.
[0047] The surfactant is typically used in conventional amounts,
i.e., will be added to the bioactive acid solutions or bioactive
acid compositions in an amount whereby the concentration of the
surfactant in the end-use diluted state of the bioactive
agrichemical compositions is consistent their use level in
traditional fungicides. Generally speaking, the surfactant will be
present in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 3%, preferably
from about 0.01% to about 0.5%, by weight based on the total weight
of the bioactive acid solution or bioactive acid composition in the
diluted state. While higher loadings could be used, it is not
necessary to manifest the desired synergy in bioefficacy.
Generally, where the surfactant is basic in nature or one that
hydrolyzes in water to form a basic solution, the amount should be
minimized and/or the amount of acid increased so as to avoid too
much neutralization of the bioactive acid solution.
[0048] Exemplary anionic surfactants and classes of anionic
surfactants suitable for use in the practice of the present
invention include: alcohol sulfates; alcohol ether sulfates;
alkylaryl ether sulfates; alkylaryl sulfonates such as alkylbenzene
sulfonates and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates and salts thereof; alkyl
sulfonates; mono- or di-phosphate esters of polyalkoxylated alkyl
alcohols or alkylphenols; mono- or di-sulfosuccinate esters of
C.sub.12 to C.sub.15 alkanols or polyalkoxylated C.sub.12 to
C.sub.15 alkanols; alcohol ether carboxylates; phenolic ether
carboxylates; polybasic acid esters of ethoxylated polyoxyalkylene
glycols consisting of oxybutylene or the residue of
tetrahydrofuran; sulfoalkylamides and salts thereof such as
N-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate Na salt; polyoxyalkylene alkylphenol
carboxylates; polyoxyalkylene alcohol carboxylates alkyl
polyglycoside/alkenyl succinic anhydride condensation products;
alkyl ester sulfates; naphthalene sulfonates; naphthalene
formaldehyde condensates; alkyl sulfonamides; sulfonated aliphatic
polyesters; sulfate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates; and
sulfonate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and their
corresponding sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc,
ammonium, alkylammonium, diethanolammonium, or triethanolammonium
salts; salts of ligninsulfonic acid such as the sodium, potassium,
magnesium, calcium or ammonium salt; polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether
sulfates and polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether phosphates; and
sulfated alkyl phenol ethoxylates and phosphated alkyl phenol
ethoxylates; sodium lauryl sulfate; sodium laureth sulfate;
ammonium lauryl sulfate; ammonium laureth sulfate; sodium methyl
cocoyl taurate; sodium lauroyl sarcosinate; sodium cocoyl
sarcosinate; potassium coco hydrolyzed collagen; TEA
(triethanolamine) lauryl sulfate; TEA (Triethanolamine) laureth
sulfate; lauryl or cocoyl sarcosine; disodium oleamide
sulfosuccinate; disodium laureth sulfosuccinate; disodium dioctyl
sulfosuccinate; N-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate Na salt; tristyrylphenol
sulphate; ethoxylated lignin sulfonate; ethoxylated nonylphenol
phosphate ester; calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate; ethoxylated
tridecylalcohol phosphate ester; dialkyl sulfosuccinates; perfluoro
(C.sub.6-C.sub.18)alkyl phosphonic acids;
perfluoro(C.sub.6-C.sub.18)alkyl-phosphinic acids;
perfluoro(C.sub.3-C.sub.20)alkyl esters of carboxylic acids;
alkenyl succinic acid diglucamides; alkenyl succinic acid
alkoxylates; sodium dialkyl sulfosuccinates; and alkenyl succinic
acid alkylpolyglykosides.
[0049] Exemplary amphoteric and cationic surfactants include
alkylpolyglycosides; betaines; sulfobetaines; glycinates; alkanol
amides of C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 fatty acids and C.sub.8 to C.sub.18
fatty amine polyalkoxylates; C.sub.10 to C.sub.18
alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides; coconut
alkyldimethylaminoacetic acids; phosphate esters of C.sub.8 to
C.sub.18 fatty amine polyalkoxylates; alkylpolyglycosides (APG)
obtainable from a acid-catalyzed Fischer reaction of starch or
glucose syrups with fatty alcohols, in particular C.sub.8 to
C.sub.18 alcohols, especially the C.sub.8 to C.sub.10 and C.sub.12
to C.sub.14 alkylpolyglycosides having a degree of polymerization
of 1.3 to 1.6., in particular 1.4 or 1.5.
[0050] Exemplary non-ionic surfactants and classes of non-ionic
surfactants include: polyarylphenol polyethoxy ethers;
polyalkylphenol polyethoxy ethers; polyglycol ether derivatives of
saturated fatty acids; polyglycol ether derivatives of unsaturated
fatty acids; polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic alcohols;
polyglycol ether derivatives of cycloaliphatic alcohols; fatty acid
esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan; alkoxylated vegetable oils;
alkoxylated acetylenic diols; polyalkoxylated alkylphenols; fatty
acid alkoxylates; sorbitan alkoxylates; sorbitol esters; C.sub.8 to
C.sub.22 alkyl or alkenyl polyglycosides; polyalkoxy styrylaryl
ethers; alkylamine oxides; block copolymer ethers; polyalkoxylated
fatty glyceride; polyalkylene glycol ethers; linear aliphatic or
aromatic polyesters; organo silicones; polyaryl phenols; sorbitol
ester alkoxylates; and mono- and diesters of ethylene glycol and
mixtures thereo; ethoxylated tristyrylphenol; ethoxylated fatty
alcohol; ethoxylated lauryl alcohol; ethoxylated castor oil; and
ethoxylated nonylphenol; alkoxylated alcohols, amines or acids,
mixtures thereof as well as mixtures thereof with diluents and
solid carriers, in particular clathrates thereof with urea. The
alkoxylated alcohols, amines or acids are preferably based on
alkoxy units having 2 carbon atoms, thus being a mixed ethoxylate,
or 2 and 3 carbon atoms, thus being a mixed
ethoxylate/propoxylated, and having at least 5 alkoxy moieties,
suitably from 5 to 25 alkoxy moieties, preferably 5 to 20, in
particular 5 to 15, in the alkoxy chain. The aliphatic moieties of
the amine or acid alkoxylated may be straight chained or branched
of 9 to 24, preferably 12 to 20, carbon atoms. The alcohol moiety
of the alcohol alkoxylates is as a rule derived from a
C.sub.9-C.sub.18 aliphatic alcohol, which may be non-branched or
branched, especially monobranched. Preferred alcohols are typically
50% by weight straight-chained and 50% by weight branched
alcohols.
[0051] As noted above, the aforementioned surfactants may be used
alone or in combination. Furthermore, while not all of the
surfactants mentioned above will provide the desired synergy when
used alone with the metals and acids, depending upon the ultimate
end-use application for the bioactive agrichemical compositions of
the present invention, they may nevertheless be used in combination
with the synergistic surfactants for their intended function. For
example, certain of the aforementioned surfactants may enhance the
dispersion of the actives in the solvent, especially the
conventional bioactive agrichemical, or may enhance the wetting out
of the substrate (e.g., plants, seeds, soil) to which the inventive
bioactive agrichemical compositions of the present invention are
applied. All of these surfactant materials are well known and
commercially available. Furthermore, those skilled in the art,
without undue experimentation, will readily appreciate which
surfactants and/or combinations of surfactants, in addition to the
synergist surfactants, may be used for the specific end-use
application. Again, it is important that when additional
surfactants are employed for other purposes they not interfere with
or have minimal interference with the synergy that results from the
desired surfactants, i.e., those that show synergy in providing
antimicrobial, including antibacterial and/or antifungal, activity
when used in combination with the acid and metal ions. If any
interference exists and the other surfactant is necessary or
otherwise desired for the application, then its use should be
minimized to produce the least adverse impact on the synergy and/or
attributes of the active components of the inventive bioactive
agrichemicals of the present invention while manifesting the
desired property for which it is to be employed. Furthermore, if
there is concern with such interference, especially if the
surfactants are used or to be used in an amount that will
neutralize the acid of the bioactive compositions so as to render
them outside of the claimed range, then those surfactants may still
be added but not until the time of application. In essence the
bioactive compositions of the present inventions may be employed as
two- or more part systems to be mixed when applied or when
preparing the diluted compositions, which are then to be
immediately applied. Most preferably, it is best to avoid the use
of such surfactants or those amounts of said surfactants that will
adversely affect the bioefficacy of the claimed compositions.
[0052] The final critical component of the bioactive compositions
of the present invention is the conventional bioactive agrichemical
component. Surprisingly, it has been found that these combinations
typically provide a synergy relative to the bioefficacy of the
conventional bioactive active, allowing one to use less to get the
same, if not better, results. In particular, when use in
combination with the bioactive acid solution or bioactive acid
composition as recited in the appended claims, previously
non-efficacious levels of the conventional bioactive actives,
especially fungicide actives, are now found to be efficacious. Most
importantly, these combinations oftentimes enable one to achieve
the same level of bioefficacy with less than conventional
application rates or amounts of the conventional bioactive
agrichemical active. For example, it has been found that the
addition of the bioactive acid solution or, as appropriate,
bioactive acid composition, to a given amount of a conventional
antifungal agent manifests an enhanced antifungal performance as
compared to same amount of that antifungal agent. Indeed,
previously ineffective amounts of conventional agrichemical
compositions may now be made efficacious by the addition of the
bioactive acid solution or bioactive acid compositions. Besides
reducing the amount of conventional agrichemical actives that are
needed to achieve a given effect, and concurrently, reducing the
amount of such actives that are released into the environment, it
is believed that the combination also reduces the incidence of
and/or the speed with which bio-resistance is manifested in target
organisms. Thus, the commercial life expectancy of these and future
conventional agrichemical actives is likely to be increased and the
generation of superbugs or resistant strains of the bacterial
fungi, protists and the like decreased or delayed.
[0053] As noted above and in the following examples, the present
invention is applicable to a broad array of conventional bioactive
agrichemicals, most especially the fungicides. Exemplary
conventional bioactive agrichemicals, many of which have multiple
applications as fungicides, bactericides, protisticides and the
like, are disclosed herein below, some of the active ingredients
being mentioned several times with different "common names" and/or
chemical names, include: AC 382042, acetochlor, alachlor, aldicarb,
anilazine, asulam, atrazine, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, bendiocarb,
benfuracarb, benomyl, benthiocarb, binapacryl, blasticidin S,
borax, Bordeaux mixture, bromacil, bromuconazole, bupirimate,
butachlor, butam, cadusafos, calcium cyanamide, carpropamid,
captafol, captan, carbaryl, carbendazim, carbofuran, carbon
disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, carbosulfan, carboxin, CDAA, CDEA,
CDEC, CEPC, chlor-IPC, chloramben, chlorbenzthiazon, chlorbromuron,
chlordane, chlorfluazuron, chloridazon, chloropicrin,
chlorothalonil, chlorotoluron, chloroxifenidim (=chloroxuron),
chlorpropham, chlozolinate, copper acetate, copper acetoarsenite,
copper arsenate, copper carbonate, basic, copper hydroxide, copper
naphthenate, copper oleate, copper oxychloride, copper
8-quinolinolate, copper silicate, copper sulfate, copper sulfate,
basic, copper zinc chromate, cyanazine, cycloheximide, cymoxanil,
cypofuram, cyprodinil, dalapon, dazomet, decarbofuran, di-allate
(=diallate), diazinon, dibrom, 1,2-dibromoethane, dichlobenil,
1,2-dichloroethane, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloropropane,
1,3-dichloroporpene, dieldrin, diphenamid, dipterex, diuron,
dichlofluanid, dichlone, dichloran, diclobutrazol, diclocymet,
diclomezine, diethofencarb, difenoconazole, diflumetorim,
dimethirimol, dimethomorph, dinocap, ditalimfos, dithianon,
dodemorph, dodine, endosulfan, endrin, epoxiconazole, EPTC,
ethalfluralin, ethylan (=ethyl-DDD), ethylene dibromide, ethylene
dichloride, ethylene oxide, ethylmercury bromide, ethylmercury
chloride, ethylmercury phosphate, edifenphos, etaconazole,
ethirimol, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenapanil, fenamidone,
fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid, fenpiclonil,
fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin, fentin acetate, fentin
hydroxide, ferimzone, fluazinam, fludioxonil, flumetover,
fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol,
folpet, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, fenuron, ferbam,
ferrous sulfate, fluchloralin, folpel (=folpet), formaldehyde,
fosthiazate, furmecyclox, gamma-BHC, gamma-cyhalothrin, gamma-HCH,
guanoctine (=guazatine), HCH, gamma-HCH, heptachlor, hexachlor,
hydrogencyanide, imazalil, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin,
imazethapyr, imazosulfuron, imidacloprid, IPC, iprodione,
isonoruron, isoprocarb, isoproturon, isouron, IKF-916, imazalil,
iminoctadine, ipconazole, isoprothiolane, iprovalicarb,
kasugamycin, KH-7281, kitazin P, kresoxim-methyl, lactofen,
lenacil, lime sulfur, lindane, linuron, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb,
mercuricchloride, mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride, metalaxyl,
metalaxyl-M, metam, metazachlor, methabenzthiazuron, metham, methyl
bromide, methylchloroform, isothiocyanate, methyl-mercaptophos,
methylmercaptophos, methylmercury benzoate, methylmercury, metiram,
metobenzuron, metobromuron, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, metosulam,
metoxuron, metribuzin, mirex, molinate, monalide, monolinuron,
monuron, MSMA, mepanipyrim, mepronil, metalaxyl, methfuroxam, MON
65500, myclobutanil, nabam, naled, naphthalic anhydride,
napropamide, naptalam, neburea, neburon, nitralin, norflurazon,
noruron, novaluron, neoasozin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate,
nitrothalisopropyl, nuarimol, ofurace, oryzalin, oxadixyl,
oxine-copper, oxine-Cu, oxycarboxin, oxycarboxin, penconazole,
pencycuron, phenazineoxide, polyoxin D, polyram, probenazole,
prochloraz, procymidione, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb,
pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon, pyroxyfur, PCNB,
PCP, pebulate, pendimethalin, phenylmercuriurea, phenylmercury
acetate, phenylmercury chloride, phenylmercury nitrate,
phenylmercury salicylate, phorate, phosphocarb, phthalide,
phthalophos, phthalthrin, picloram, pirimicarb, potassium arsenite,
potassium cyanate, potassium polysulfide, potassium thiocyanate,
prochloraz, procymidone, profluralin, propham, propiconazole,
propineb, prosulfalin, pyrazon, quinclorac, quinomethionate,
quinoxyfen, quintozene, spiroxamine, SSF-126, SSF-129,
streptomycin, strobilurins, sevin, siduron, simazine, sulfur,
sulfuric acid, tebuconazole, terbacil, terraclor, thiabendazole,
thiacloprid, thiameturon, thiobencarb, thiocarboxime, thiodan,
thiodicarb, thiofanocarb, thiophanate, thiophanate-ethyl,
thiophanate-methyl, thiram, thiuram, tiabendazole, TMTD, toxaphene,
tri-allate, triadimefon, triadimenol, triallate, tribenuron,
hydroxide, triflumuron, trifluralin, tecloftalame, tecnazene,
tetraconazole, thifluzamide, tolclofosmethyl, tolylfluanid,
triazbutil, triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin,
triflumizole, triforine, validamycin A, vinclozolin, vernolate,
vinclozolin, zineb, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,3-dichloropropene,
XRD-563 and zarilamid. Also, . . . [0054] dithiocarbamates and
their derivatives, such as iron(III) dimethyldithiocarbamate, zinc
dimethyldithiocarbamate, zinc ethylenebisdithiocarbamate, manganese
ethylenebisdithiocarbamate, manganese zinc
ethylenediaminebisdithiocarbamate, tetramethylthiuram disulfide,
ammonia complex of zinc (N,N-ethylenebisdithiocarbamate), ammonia
complex of zinc (N,N'-propylenebisdithiocarbamate), zinc
(N,N'-propylenebisdithiocarbamate),
N,N'-polypropylenebis(thiocarbamoyl)disulfide; [0055] nitro
derivatives, such as dinitro(1-methylheptyl)phenyl crotonate,
2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenyl 3,3-dimethylacrylate,
2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenylisopropyl carbonate, diisopropyl
5-nitro-isophthalate; [0056] heterocyclic substances, such as
2-heptadecyl-2-imidazoline acetate,
2,4-dichloro-6-(o-chloroanilino)-s-triazine, O,O-diethyl
phthalimidophosphonothioate,
5-amino-1-[bis(dimethylamino)phosphinyl]-3-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole,
2,3-dicyano-1,4-dithioanthraquinone,
2-thio-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-b]quinoxaline, methyl
1-(butylcarbamoyl)-2-benzimidazolecarbamate,
2-methoxycarbonylaminobenzimidazole, 2-(2-furyl)benzimidazole,
2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole,
N-(1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethylthio)tetrahydrophthalimide,
N-trichloromethylthiotetrahydrophthalimide,
N-trichloromethylthiophthalimide;
N-dichlorofluoromethylthio-N',N'-dimethyl-N-phenylsulfodiamide,
5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,3-thiadiazole,
2-thiocyanatomethylthiobenzothiazole,
1,4-dichloro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene,
4-(2-chlorophenylhydrazono)-3-methyl-5-isoxazolone,
pyridine-2-thiol 1-oxide, 8-hydroxyquinoline or its copper salt,
2,3-dihydro-5-carboxanilido-6-methyl-1,4-oxathiine,
2,3-dihydro-5-carboxanilido-6-methyl-1,4-oxathiine 4,4-dioxide,
2-methyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyran-3-carboxanilide,
2-methylfuran-3-carboxanilide, 2,5-dimethylfuran-3-carboxanilide,
2,4,5-trimethylfuran-3-carboxanilide,
N-cyclohexyl-N-methoxy-2,5-dimethylfuran-3-carboxamide,
2-methylbenzanilide, 2-iodobenzanilide,
N-formyl-N-morpholine-2,2,2-trichloroethyl acetal,
piperazine-1,4-diylbis-1-(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)formamide,
1-(3,4-dichloroanilino)-1-formylamino-2,2,2-trichloroethane,
2,6-dimethyl-N-tridecylmorpholine or its salts,
2,6-dimethyl-N-cyclododecylmorpholine or its salts,
N-[3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropyl]-cis-2,6-dimethylmorpholine,
N-[3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropyl]piperidine,
1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-ethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazo-
le,
1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-n-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylethyl]-1H-1,2,4--
triazole,
N-(n-propyl)-N-(2,4,6-trichlorophenoxyethyl)-N'-imidazolylurea,
1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol
1-yl)-2-butanone, 1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl
1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanol,
(2RS,3RS)-1-[3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxiran-2-ylmethyl]-1H-1-
,2,4-t a-(2-chlorophenyl)-a-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol,
5-butyl-2-dimethylamino-4-hydroxy-6-methylpyrimidine,
bis(p-chlorophenyl)-3-pyridinemethanol,
1,2-bis(3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-thioureido)benzene,
1,2-bis(3-methoxycarbonyl-2-thioureido)benzene; [0057] strobilurins
such as methyl
E-methoxyimino-[.alpha.-(o-tolyloxy)-o-tolyl]acetate, methyl
E-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}
3-methoxyacrylate,
N-methyl-E-methoxyimino-[.alpha.-(2-phenoxyphenyl)]acetamide,
N-methyl-E-methoxyimino-[.alpha.-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-o-tolyl]acetamide,
methyl
E-2{-2-[(2-trifluoromethylpyridyl-6-)oxymethyl]phenyl}-3-methoxyac-
rylate, methyl
(E,E)-methoximino-{2-[1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethylideneamino-oxymethy-
l]phenyl}acetate, methyl
N-(2-{[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3yl]oxymethyl}phenyl)-N-methoxycarba-
mate, [0058] anilinopyrimidines such as
N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)aniline,
N-[4-methyl-6-(1-propynyl)pyrimidin-2-yl]aniline,
N-[4-methyl-6-cyclopropylpyrimidin-2-yl]aniline; [0059]
phenylpyrroles such as
4-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile; [0060]
cinnamamides such as
3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acryloylmorpholine;
[0061] and a variety of fungicides such as dodecylguanidine
acetate,
3-[3-(3,5-dimethyl-2-oxycyclohexyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]glutarimide,
hexachlorobenzene, methyl
N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)N-(2-furoyl)-DL-alaninate,
DL-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(2'-methoxyacetyl)alanine methyl ester,
N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-chloroacetyl-D,L-2-aminobutyrolactone,
DL-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(phenylacetyl)alanine methyl ester,
5-methyl-5-vinyl-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,3-oxazolidine,
3-[3,5-dichlorophenyl-(5-methyl-5-methoxymethyl]-1,3-oxazolidine-2,4-dion-
e, 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1-isopropylcarbamoylhydantoin,
N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1,2dicarboximide,
2-cyano-[N-(ethylaminocarbonyl)-2-methoximino]acetamide,
1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pentyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole,
2,4-difluoro-a-(1H-1,2,4-triazolyl-1-methyl)benzhydryl alcohol,
N-(3-chloro-2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-3-chlo-
ro-2-aminopyridine,
1-((bis(4-fluorophenyl)methylsilyl)methyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole.
[0062] Especially preferred fungicides include, in particular,
those based on strobilurin and its derivatives as well as
myclobutanil and mancozeb. When used in combination with the
bioactive compositions of the present invention, a synergistic
result is oftentimes noted whereby efficacy is found where none
previously existed and/or improved efficacy is found at the same
and, preferably, lesser rates of application.
[0063] The bioactive agrichemical compositions according to the
present invention can be used alone or, preferably and
advantageously so, they are used in combination with (typically as
a mixture) one or more other compatible components or additives
typical of agrichemical treatments and compositions including, for
example, solid or liquid fillers or diluents, adjuvants,
surfactants or equivalents, which are suitable for the desired use
and which are acceptable for use, from an environmental, health and
safety as well as regulatory perspective, in the particular
intended end-use application. This is especially so for those
applications where the bioactive compositions are to be used in
agriculture: whether as a soil, seed, or plant treatment or in the
treatment of foodstuffs, prior to or following harvest. In
following, the formulations can also contain ingredients of other
types, such as protective colloids, adjuvants, binders, rain
fasteners, thickeners, thixotropic agents, penetrating agents, oils
for spraying, stabilizers, antifreeze agents, defoaming agents,
foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, or the like, as well as
other known active ingredients which have pesticide properties (in
particular fungicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal or nematicidal
properties) or, in the case of in-field agricultural applications,
which have plant-growth-regulating properties.
[0064] The nature and amount of the additives to be employed in the
bioactive agrichemical compositions of the present invention
depends, in part, upon the end-use application and the form in
which the composition is to take. Specifically, the bioactive
compositions of the present invention may be in the form of and/or
manufactured into e.g. emulsion concentrates, solutions, oil in
water emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, suspension
concentrates, dusts, granules, water dispersible granules,
micro-capsules, gels, tablets and other formulation types by
well-established procedures. The specific procedure typically
includes intensive mixing and/or milling of the bioactive
compositions with the other substances. The form of application
such as spraying, atomizing, dispersing, dusting, pouring and the
like may be chosen based on the compositions to be applied, the
desired objectives, and the given circumstances.
[0065] Although the typical definition of "filler" is a material
added for the primary purpose of adding bulk, in the present
application, "fillers" typically have function and utility and
generally refer to organic or inorganic, natural or synthetic
components with which the active components are combined to
facilitate their application, for example, onto plants, seeds or
the soil, for example as a carrier. These fillers are generally
inert and must be acceptable for the intended application,
especially for agronomic uses, in particular for treating
plants.
[0066] The filler can be solid, for example clays, natural or
synthetic silicates, silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilizers (for
example ammonium salts), natural soil minerals, such as kaolins,
clays, talc, lime, calcium carbonate, quartz, attapulgite,
montmorillonite, bentonite or diatomaceous earths, or synthetic
minerals, such as silica, alumina or silicates, in particular
aluminum or magnesium silicates. The solid fillers which are
suitable for granules are as follows: natural, crushed or broken
rocks, such as calcites, marble, pumice, sepiolite or dolomite;
synthetic granules of inorganic or organic flours; granules of
organic material such as sawdust, coconut shell, corn ear or
envelope, or tobacco stem; kieselguhr, tricalcium phosphate,
powdered cork or adsorbent carbon black; water-soluble polymers,
resins, waxes; or solid fertilizers. Such compositions can, if so
desired, contain one or more compatible agents such as wetting
agents, dispersing agents, emulsifiers or dyes which, when they are
solid, can also act as diluents. Where the additives are alkaline
and will likely increase the pH of the compositions, e.g., talc,
lime, calcium carbonate, and marble, the amount by which they are
added should not cause the pH to exceed the claimed ranges or
additional acid should be added to maintain the desired pH.
Preferably, such materials should be avoided altogether.
[0067] The fillers can also be liquids, for example: water,
alcohols, in particular butanol or glycol, as well as ethers or
esters thereof, in particular methyl glycol acetate; ketones, in
particular acetone, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl
isobutyl ketone or isophorone; petroleum fractions such as
paraffinic or aromatic hydrocarbons, in particular xylenes or
alkylnaphthalenes; mineral or plant oils; aliphatic
chlorohydrocarbons, in particular trichloroethane or methylene
chloride; aromatic chlorohydrocarbons, in particular
chlorobenzenes; water-soluble or highly polar solvents such as
dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulphoxide, N,N-dimethylacetamide or
N-methylpyrrolidone; N-octylpyrrolidone, liquefied gases; or the
like, whether they are taken separately or as a mixture.
[0068] As mentioned above, depending upon the end-use application,
the inventive bioactive agrichemical compositions or formulations
will contain one or more additional surfactants (additional to the
surfactant(s) that are optionally part of the bioactive acid
solution or bioactive acid composition) as emulsifiers, dispersing
agents, wetting agents and the like. These additional surfactants
may be cationic, anionic, nonionic or amphoteric surfactants or
mixtures of these surfactants. Among those surfactants which are
used, for example, are polyacrylic acid salts, lignosulphonic acid
salts, phenolsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acid salts,
polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or fatty
acids or fatty esters or fatty amines, substituted phenols (in
particular alkylphenols or arylphenols), ester-salts of
sulphosuccinic acid, taurine derivatives (in particular alkyl
taurates), phosphoric esters of alcohols or of polycondensates of
ethylene oxide with phenols, fatty acid esters with polyols, or
sulphate, sulphonate or phosphate functional derivatives of the
foregoing compounds as well as those surfactants described above
relative to the synergistic surfactant for the bioactive
composition. Here, however, the surfactants are generally present
at much higher concentrations versus that needed to show synergy
with respect to the acid/metal combination. The presence of at
least one additional surfactant is generally essential when the
active materials and/or the inert filler are insoluble or only
sparingly soluble in water and when the filler for the said
composition to be applied is water. For foliar applications, the
choice of surfactants is oftentimes paramount for obtaining good
bioavailability of the active material(s); thus, a combination of a
surfactant of hydrophilic nature (HLB>10) and a surfactant of
lipophilic nature (HLB<5) will preferably be used.
[0069] In agricultural applications as well as in applications
where it is desired to affix the bioactive composition to a
surface, the compositions will typically have a binder, rain
fastener, or other adhesive type components. Suitable binders are
well known in include, e.g., water-soluble and water-dispersible
film-forming polymers. Suitable polymers have an average molecular
weight of at least about 1,000 up to about 100,000; more
specifically at least about 5,000, up to about 100,000. The aqueous
compositions generally contain from about 0.5% to about 10%,
preferable from about 1.0% to about 5%, by weight of the
composition of the binder, film-forming polymer and the like.
Suitable film-forming polymers include, but are not limited to a)
alkyleneoxide random and block copolymers such as ethylene
oxide-propylene oxide block copolymers (EO/PO block copolymers)
including both EO-PO-EO and PO-EO-PO block copolymers; ethylene
oxide-butylene oxide random and block copolymers, C.sub.2-C.sub.6
alkyl adducts of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide random and block
copolymers, C.sub.2-C.sub.6 alkyl adducts of ethylene
oxide-butylene oxide random and block copolymers; b)
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene monoalkylethers such as methyl
ether, ethyl ether, propyl ether, butyl ether or mixtures thereof;
c) vinylacetate/-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers, d) alkylated
vinylpyrrolidone copolymers, e) polyvinylpyrrolidone, and f)
polyalkyleneglycol including the polypropylene glycols and
polyethylene glycols. Specific examples of suitable polymers
include Pluronic P103 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Pluronic
P65 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Pluronic P108 (BASF)
(EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Vinamul 18160 (National Starch)
(polyvinylacetate), Agrimer 30 (ISP) (polyvinylpyrrolidone),
Agrimer VA7w (ISP) (vinyl acetate/vinylpyrrolidone copolymer),
Agrimer AL 10 (ISP) (alkylated vinylpyrrolidone copolymer), PEG 400
(Uniqema) (polyethylene glycol), Pluronic R 25R2 (BASF) (PO-EO-PO
block copolymer), Pluronic R 31R1 (BASF) (PO-EO-PO block copolymer)
and Witconol NS 500LQ (Witco) (butanol PO-EO copolymer).
[0070] Additional adhesive and adhesive type materials that may be
used include carboxymethylcellulose, or natural or synthetic
polymers in the form of powders, granules or matrices, such as gum
arabic, latex, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl
acetate, natural phospholipids, such as cephalins or lecithins, or
synthetic phospholipids can be used in the formulations.
[0071] It may also be desirable to thicken the bioactive
compositions and formulations, especially where there is concern
that the composition will quickly run off or run down the substrate
to which it is applied. Suitable thickeners include water-soluble
polymers which exhibit pseudoplastic and/or thixotropic properties
in an aqueous medium such as gum arabic, gum karaya, gum
tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan,
alginate salt, casein, dextran, pectin, agar, 2-hydroxyethyl
starch, 2-aminoethyl starch, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl
cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose salt, cellulose sulfate salt,
polyacrylamide, alkali metal salts of the maleic anhydride
copolymers, alkali metal salts of poly(meth)acrylate, and the like.
As suitable thickeners, including thixotropes, there may also be
mentioned attapulgite-type clay, silica, fumed silica, carrageenan,
croscarmellose sodium, furcelleran, glycerol, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, polystyrene, vinylpyrrolidone/styrene block
copolymer, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl guar gum, and
sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Xanthan gum is preferred.
[0072] In the case of bioactive agrichemical compositions that are
or may be subject to freezing during storage or use, especially
aqueous and aqueous-based concentrates and solutions, it is
desirable to add antifreeze additives. Specific examples of
suitable antifreezes include ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol,
1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol,
1,4-butanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol,
2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol,
sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol,
xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A or the like. In addition,
ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols
of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol
monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene
glycol monomethylether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol
monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol,
tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol,
pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, octaglycerol and the
like. As a particular subset of suitable antifreeze materials there
can be mentioned ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and
glycerin.
[0073] It is possible to use dyes such as inorganic pigments, such
as, for example: iron oxides, titanium oxides, Prussian blue;
organic dyestuffs, such as those of the alizarin, azo or metal
phthalocyanin type; or of trace elements such as iron, manganese,
boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum or zinc salts. The use of such
dyes enables one to determine which areas and substrates, including
plants, have been treated with the bioactive composition. Such
marking is especially important for a variety of applications and
reasons. For example, the use of dyes in seed treatments will
enable a quick visual determination of which seeds have and have
not been treated. Similarly, in disinfectant applications, for
example in a biotechnology laboratories, microbiology laboratories,
food and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing and processing facilities
and the like, the use of they dye, will allow those performing the
cleaning operation to ensure that all surfaces are treated. Here,
for example, the material could be applied and allowed to sit for a
brief period before being wiped to leave the cleaned surface.
Further, in aerial, drop or broadcast application, it enables the
pilot or driver of the dispensing vehicle see what areas have
already been treated.
[0074] Although not all additives and adjuvants have been described
above, those skilled in the art, particularly in the art pertinent
to the specific end-use application anticipated, will certainly
appreciate what other ingredients, additives and the like would or
should be used for their application. The amount by which each
additive is to be incorporated into the compositions will, once
again, depend upon the end-use application and the method of
application and environment into which it is to be employed.
Generally, though, the selection and amount is that which is
conventional for such additives in such applications. However, with
the selection of any additives, it is important to ensure that they
will not interfere with the bioactivity of the compositions of the
present invention or that any such interference will be minimized
so as to enable one to take the most advantage of the bioactive
compositions of the present invention. Those skilled in the art,
based upon the teachings set forth herein and in the following
examples, will appreciate where attention is due and, in any event,
such can be addressed by simple screening applications.
[0075] As noted above, it is important to avoid the use of
conventional bioactive agrichemical actives as well as any other
additives and components, including those of the types mentioned
above, that interfere with or adversely affect the bioefficacy of
the compositions according to the present invention. Most
especially, it is important to avoid the use of those agrichemical
actives and other additives or compounds that are known to or will
likely irreversibly or strongly sequester, bind, or complex with
the antimicrobial metal ions in solution. In following, not
intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that retention of
the antimicrobial metal ion charge is important for maintaining
bioefficacy. For example, especially with respect to copper ions,
it is best to avoid the use of ammonium salts such as ammonium
sulphate, ammonium chloride, ammonium citrate, ammonium phosphate.
To the extent any such materials are present or to be used, their
use or, more accurately, the amount thereof, should be minimized
and/or the metal ion concentration increased to offset the loss of
free ions in solution compounds.
[0076] The compositions of the present invention may be made by any
known method for formulating agrichemical compositions, especially
antimicrobial and antifungal type compositions. Generally speaking,
whether making a concentrate or the application ready bioactive
agrichemical compositions of the present invention or whether
making a liquid system or a solid system, the bioactive acid
solution or, if applicable, the solid bioactive acid composition is
prepared before the addition of the conventional bioactive
agrichemical active or formulation.
[0077] The bioactive acid solution may be prepared in a number of
conventional ways. For example, each component may be dissolved in
the appropriate solvent, most notably water or a water-based
solvent, and the solutions combined in the appropriate proportions.
To some extent, the sequence of the addition and whether a
pre-concentrate of the acid in the solvent is formed depends upon
the solubility of the solids themselves. Preferably, the acid is
initially dissolved in the appropriate solvent to the desired
concentration. Where one is intending to form a concentrate, the
amount of acid to be dissolved in the solvent should be such that
the acid concentration is at least 40 percent and preferably form
40 to 80 percent. The antimicrobial metal ion source or sources are
then dissolved in the concentrated acidic solution. This method may
also be used in preparing a non-concentrated bioactive agrichemical
composition where the rate at which the antimicrobial metal ion
source or sources dissolves is increased with higher acid
concentration. For example, as mentioned above, where the metal ion
source is an antimicrobial metal ion containing ion-exchange type
agent, especially those whose core is a zeolite, the use of
concentrated acids has been found to readily dissolve the zeolite.
Thereafter, the concentrated solution is merely diluted to the
desired concentration after the solids are dissolved. Where there
is difficulty in dissolving the antimicrobial metal source or
sources in the concentrated or dilute acid solution, or the rate is
undesirably slow, the antimicrobial metal ion source or sources may
first be dissolved in water or another suitable aqueous-based
solvent and that combined with the formed acid solution. Here, the
acid solution is preferably of a higher concentration than intended
in the bioactive acid solution so as to account for the dilution
upon adding the dissolved antimicrobial metal ion source or
sources. Similarly, whether preparing concentrates or final,
end-use formulations, it may be desirable to make individual stock
solutions of each of the components of the bioactive acid solution
which stock solutions are then combined in the appropriate
proportions. Again, the concentration of each stock solution would
be tailored to account for the dilution upon their combination.
Obviously, for forming concentrates, the stock solutions will
typically be of higher concentration than might otherwise be
necessary if using the stock solutions for preparing the final,
end-use diluted formulation.
[0078] In each of the foregoing instances, the solvent/solutions
may be heated and are preferably agitated to expedite the
dissolving of the solids in the liquid system. Furthermore, while
the dissolution of antimicrobial metal ion source or sources is
perhaps the simplest and most cost effective method of the
preparation of the bioactive acid solutions, these bioactive acid
solutions may also be prepared by, e.g., electrolytically
generating the metal ion in acid solutions as seen in Arata et. al.
(U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,814; US 2003/0198689A1, US 2003/0178374A1;
US2005/0245605A1 and US2006/0115440A1, all of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) or by high
temperature and pressure as seen in Cummins et. al. (U.S. Pat. No.
7,192,618, incorporated herein be reference).
[0079] The surfactants may be added to the bioactive acid solution
or the concentrate or may be added concurrent with or subsequent to
the combination of the bioactive acid solution with the
conventional bioactive agrichemical composition.
[0080] When desiring to make a liquid bioactive acid solution
concentrate, one may prepare the highly concentrated solution as
discussed above or make a somewhat diluted form which is then
further concentrated by allowing some of the solvent to evaporate.
This is particularly beneficial where the antimicrobial metal ion
source or sources and/or the surfactants and/or other constituents
are not soluble in and/or or are not sufficiently and/or
expeditiously dissolved in the acid solution.
[0081] Depending upon the ultimate form of the inventive bioactive
agrichemical composition, it may likewise be desirable to prepare a
solid bioactive acid composition concentrate. These solid bioactive
acid composition concentrates may also be made in a number of ways.
For example, the acid, the antimicrobial metal ion source or
sources and, if present, the surfactant can be dry blended. Dry
blending is still possible even if the surfactant or one of the
surfactants is a liquid since the amount employed is so low and
will be adsorbed or absorbed by the dry materials. The dry blended
materials may be employed as is or are preferably compressed to
form granules. Alternatively, the solid bioactive acid composition
concentrate can be formed by first preparing the bioactive acid
solution concentrate mentioned above, using a volatile solvent,
e.g., water or a water-base solvent, and then allowing the solvent
to evaporate to leave the solid material. As necessary, the solid
material is then crushed or ground to form small particles, powder
or granules, of the solid bioactive acid composition.
[0082] The solid bioactive acid composition concentrate may be used
to form the bioactive acid solution or bioactive acid composition
to be combined with the conventional bioactive agrichemical. In the
former, the solid concentrate is dissolved in an appropriate
solvent, notably water or a water based solvent. Solid bioactive
acid compositions may be prepared by dry blending the acid, the
antimicrobial metal ion source or sources and the surfactant with a
solid filler material or the aforementioned solid bioactive acid
composition concentrate may be let down or diluted with solid
filler materials. Alternatively, and preferably, the solid
bioactive acid composition is prepared by treating a filler
material with a bioactive acid solution. Here the liquid bioactive
acid solution is applied to or combined with the filler material,
which is preferably in particle form, and is adsorbed by and/or
absorbed by the particles of the filler. For example, a mist of the
bioactive acid solution may be sprayed or a steady or intermittent
stream of the bioactive acid solution may be poured onto the
particles as they are tumbled, stirred, etc.
[0083] Given the high transportation costs and the ease of
dilution, it is most preferable and cost effective to prepare
concentrates, especially liquid concentrates, of the inventive
bioactive agrichemical compositions which concentrates are then
diluted or let down at the time of application. Liquid concentrates
are prepared by dissolving the conventional bioactive agrichemical
in the concentrated bioactive acid solution. Alternatively, where
the conventional bioactive agrichemical is soluble or miscible in
the same solvent as used for the bioactive acid solution or in a
solvent miscible therewith, it is first dissolved in that solvent
and then the that solution is combined with the concentrated
bioactive acid solution. Where the conventional bioactive
agrichemical is not soluble or miscible in the bioactive acid
solution, the solvent of the bioactive acid solution, a solvent
miscible with the bioactive acid solution, it is dissolved in an
appropriate solvent and then combined with the bioactive acid
solution to form a suspension or emulsion. These liquid bioactive
agrichemical concentrates are then diluted or let down with an
appropriate solvent, especially water or a water based solvent, to
the desired concentration for application.
[0084] Alternatively, the inventive bioactive agrichemical
concentrates can be prepared in a flowable particle form. Here, the
components of the solid acid concentrate and the conventional
bioactive agrichemical active, as the neat active or in a
formulated concentrate, are all dry blended together or,
preferably, a dry blend of the solid bioactive acid composition
concentrate, preferably in granular form, is dry blended with a
solid concentrate, preferably in granular or powder form, of the
conventional bioactive agrichemical active as the neat active or in
a formulated concentrated.
[0085] Solid bioactive agrichemical compositions of the present
invention may be prepared by any number of way including the
dilution, with a solid filler or diluent material, of a solid
bioactive agrichemical concentrate or the combination of a
bioactive acid composition, a solid diluent or filler and a solid
conventional bioactive agrichemical active or formulated active in
its end-use concentration. Alternatively, the solid bioactive
agrichemical composition may be prepared by treating an absorbent
and/or adsorbent filler material with a bioactive acid solution and
combining that with a solid conventional bioactive agrichemical
active or formulated active or by treating an absorbent and/or
adsorbent conventional bioactive agrichemical active or formulated
active in particle form with an bioactive acid solution. This
embodiment has the added advantage that the amount or concentration
of liquid acid solution applied to the adsorbent or absorbent
carrier or conventional bioactive agrichemical active for
formulated active can be higher than would be applied in the liquid
diluted state so as to allow for longer term bioefficacy. In
essence, the treated carrier or conventional active serves as a
reservoir of the bioactive components of the liquid acid
solution.
[0086] The bioactive agrichemical compositions of the present
invention have a myriad of agricultural and horticultural
applications including as fungicides, bactericides, and/or plant,
stramenophile and fungi-like protisticides and may be applied to
seeds, soils, plants, trees, and the like. These compositions show
particular promise as fungicides, bactericides, and plant,
stramenophile and fungi-like protisticides due to their unique and
surprising strong bioefficacy at extremely low levels of
antimicrobial metals. For example, the use of these materials
allows for effective rates of applications wherein, for example,
the amount of copper to be applied is on the order of grams per
acre, not kilograms as is necessary with conventional copper and
copper based fungicides.
[0087] Besides the marked bioefficacy at such low levels of
antimicrobial metal ion, another attribute of the inventive
bioactive agrichemical compositions is that they have no or little
phytotoxicity. This is especially important since a bioeffective
material that severely damages or kills the plant concurrent with
killing the target organism is of little use unless one is not
concerned with losing a crop and is most interested in controlling
the target organism before it gets out of control. Another
important and beneficial factor associated with the inventive
compositions is the fact that they do not and are not likely to
induce or be associated with any resistance in the target
organisms. This contrasts sharply with the use of organic bioactive
agrichemicals, especially fungicides and antibiotics, for which
studies and actual commercial practice has shown a marked and
growing tendency of resistance among the targeted organisms, even
within a few years or less of their first use. The development of
such bioactive agrichemical resistant microorganisms, while
bothersome at the present time, could lead to catastrophic results
if unchecked.
[0088] Typically, the rate of application of the inventive
bioactive agrichemical compositions of the present invention is
such that the total amount of antimicrobial metal ions (as metal)
originated from the dissolved antimicrobial metal ion source or
sources applied per acre will be about 200 grams or less,
preferably 100 grams or less, more preferably 50 grams or less,
most preferably 20 grams or less. Of course the specific
application rate and, thus, the total amount applied per acre, will
vary from target organism to target organism, from one form to
another and from one application method to another. Indeed,
suitable rates may be such that the total metal ion (as metal) may
be on the order of 5 grams per acre, even on the order of fractions
of a gram per acre, perhaps as low as 0.5 grams per acre or even
0.05 grams per acre. While higher loadings, higher than 200 grams
per acre, may provide even greater or faster bioefficacy, the
trade-off of increased environmental, health and safety concerns
does not generally warrant or is not typically justified by the
increased, oftentimes nominal increase, in bioefficacy.
[0089] The bioactive agrichemical compositions of the present
invention may be applied to any number of agricultural, including
horticultural, crops including ornamental plants, shrubs and trees;
flowering plants; fruiting trees, vegetable crops; feed crops;
ornamental grasses and turf; etc. Exemplary crops that are of
particular concern due to their significant economic and food
source impact include soy beans, tomatoes, potatoes, apples,
peanuts, grapes, almonds, sugar beets and citrus. Diseases and
microorganisms to be targeted by the bioactive agrichemical
compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited
to citrus canker; soybean rust; leaf, stem and stripe rusts; leaf
blights; early blights; late blights; fire blight; leaf spots;
powdery mildew; bacterial canker; early rot; Alternaria leaf
blight; Alternaria leaf spot; Fabrea leaf spot; bacterial wilt;
Pierce's disease; Karnal bunt; citrus greening; potato wart;
Agrobacterium tumefaciens; clavibacter michiganensis; Pseudomonas
syrinhea; fusarium; phytophthora infestans; Alternaria solani;
Erwinia amylovora; Botrytis cinerea; Xanthomonas vesicatoria; and
the like. A more comprehensive listing of specific pathogens and
the crops they attack are set forth in Tate--US 2005/0079227A1, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Typically, the selection of the specific bioactive agrichemical
composition to be employed for a given target microorganism will
depend upon the conventional bioactive agrichemical active employed
in the composition.
[0090] These compositions may be applied in any conventional
manner, spraying, dusting, spreading, etc. Typically, any given
formulation will be applied in the manner consistent for the
specific conventional bioactive agrichemical component for the
target crop and organism. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the
bioactive acid solution or composition and the conventional
bioactive agrichemical component may be applied concurrently or
sequentially (essentially as a two-part system), generally within a
few hours of each other, preferably within an hour or two of each
other, particularly where there is concern that the conventional
agrichemical active or one or more components of the formulated
active, may interfere with the performance of the bioactive acid
solution or composition, e.g., adversely sequester or bind the
antimicrobial metal ions. Here, the bioactive acid solution or
composition will be applied first and the conventional bioactive
agrichemical active or formulation second. Though not intending to
be bound by theory, it is believed that the sequential application
allows the first applied bioactive component to render the target
organism more susceptible to the second. This is particularly so
where the first applied bioactive component is the bioactive acid
solution or composition. Typically though, especially for
convenience and cost savings, the inventive agrichemical
compositions of the present invention will be applied as a single
composition.
[0091] Unlike disinfectants where bioefficacy is measured in terms
of log kill, particularly within specified time period, the
bioefficacy of the bioactive agrichemical compositions of the
present invention is more so represented or evidenced by an
increase in yields or reduction in loss of the crop. Even a 10%
improvement in yield can have a significant economic impact. In
essence, even a seemingly minor reduction in the target organism or
a modest inhibition in the growth or proliferation of the target
organism can manifest an acceptable bioefficacy. Furthermore, the
duration of this effect need not be long-lived, for example,
efficacy over a couple of days or so may be sufficient. Generally,
and preferably, it is desirable to see a significant reduction, 25%
or more, preferably 50% or more, in the growth or proliferation of
the target organism over two or more, preferably four or more days.
More preferably, it is desirable to see a 85% or more, most
preferably a 95% or more, reduction in the growth or proliferation
of the target organism over two or more, most preferably four or
more days. Again, though, from a commercial perspective, the
desired outcome is an increase, at least a 10% increase, preferably
at least a 30% increase, most preferably a 65% increase, in yield
as compared to the untreated crop.
[0092] The following examples are presented as demonstrating the
bioefficacy of the bioactive agrichemical compositions according to
the present invention as well as the unexpected synergy resulting
from the use of the bioactive acid solutions or bioactive acid
compositions in combination with conventional bioactive
agrichemical actives and formulated actives. These examples are
merely illustrative of the invention and are not to be deemed
limiting thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize many
variations that are within the spirit of the invention and scope of
the claims.
[0093] Saccharomycetes Cerevisiae Studies
[0094] A series of experiments (Examples 1-269 below) were
conducted to evaluate the performance of the individual components
of the claimed bioactive compositions as well as various
combinations thereof, including, the claimed compositions
themselves, in suppressing the growth of Saccharomycetes Cerevisiae
(Fleishmann's Bakers yeast). Saccharomycetes Cerevisiae was
selected as a test organism as it is generally accepted in the
industry as an indicator or surrogate organism for a wide variety
of fungi. In each of these experiments, the same general procedure
was followed unless otherwise indicated.
[0095] Experimental Detail: A growth medium was prepared by adding
10 grams of nutrient medium (Difco Sabouraud dextrose broth from BD
of Franklin Lakes, N.J., USA) to 300 ml of distilled water.
Fleishmann's Bakers yeast was then added to the growth medium while
mixing using a magnetic stirrer until a uniform dispersion was
obtained having an initial turbidity of between about 50 and 100
NTU as measured using a HF Instruments DRT 100B Turbidity Meter.
Once the appropriate dispersion was obtained, 20 ml aliquots were
then dispensed, with continued mixing, into 40 ml borosilicate
glass vials with Teflon lined caps (VWR International Cat. No.
15900-004). The system/component to be evaluated was then added to
the vial and intimately shaken to ensure a good, substantially
homogeneous mixture. The turbidity of each mixture was then
determined and the vial transferred to an incubator at 30.degree.
C. Each vial was periodically removed from the incubator and the
mixture in the vials assessed for turbidity: the specific timing
for such evaluation was as set forth in the discussion of the
experiments and the accompanying tables.
[0096] In each experiment, unless otherwise specified, a 2 ml
aqueous solution containing the specified bioactive system or
component thereof was added to the 20 ml yeast suspension and mixed
thoroughly. Typically the surfactants were added separately in a
concentrated solution in water; however, the volume added was
negligible: a fraction of an ml. For convenience in understanding
efficacy levels, the amounts or concentrations of the various
components presented in each of the following tables and
experiments are of the diluted material in the test vial: not of
the concentrate added to the test vial. Furthermore, the
concentrations presented are on the basis of a 20 ml total volume,
not the actual 22+ ml volume. Multiplying each of the listed
concentrations by 0.9 (or 0.95 with those compositions using 1 ml
aqueous solutions) will provide a more accurate assessment of the
concentrations of the various components evaluated, i.e., a 5 ppm
silver concentration is actually closer to 4.5 ppm. Finally, for
those vials to which no bioactive system or component thereof was
added (the controls) or which only contained the surfactants, 2 ml
of additional growth medium was added to ensure relative equivalent
dilutions of the yeast.
[0097] In the tables below, the results are presented as the actual
turbidity readings (NTU) with a sub-table presenting the change or
delta in NTU values. Given the nature of the system, changes in
turbidity are reflective of the relative performance/bioefficacy of
the bioactive systems and their components. In certain instances, a
high level of bioactive material, especially the metal component,
caused an immediate and relatively sharp increase in optical
density or turbidity. This was believed to have been a result of
lysing of at least a portion on the yeast cells themselves.
Consequently, especially in those examples having a high level of
bioactive, it is equally, if not more, important to look at the
change in turbidity from either the half hour or one hour turbidity
results, if presented, forward, not from time zero.
EXAMPLES 1-21
Acid Concentration
[0098] A first series of experiments was conducted for evaluating
the performance of various antimicrobial metals and combinations of
such metals, with and without citric acid and with and without
sodium lauroyl sarcosinate anionic surfactant. Each of the metals
was added in the form of an aqueous solution of their citrate
salts, namely, silver citrate, copper citrate and zinc citrate, or,
in the case of Examples 16-19, as a mixture of all three citrate
salts (MI1). The specific formulations evaluated and the resultant
yeast growth study results are shown in Tables 1 and 1A.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Metal Ion and Na Lauroyl Turbidity (NTU)
Amount Citric Acid Sarcosinate Time Time T 18 T 24 T 96 Example
(ppm) (wt %) (wt %) zero 1 Hr hours hours Hours 1 Ag 5 ppm 0 44.5
59.6 890 932 995 2 Ag 5 ppm 1 47.5 64 882 902 1044 3 Ag 5 ppm 2
50.9 68.4 881 950 1025 4 Ag 5 ppm 0 0.005 46.8 51.5 596 677 673 5
Ag 5 ppm 1 0.005 59.4 68.4 85 130 854 6 Ag 5 ppm 2 0.005 70.9 75 85
120 880 7 Zn 5 ppm 0 43.8 64.5 992 993 1051 8 Zn 5 ppm 1 46.6 66.5
934 962 1027 9 Zn 5 ppm 2 49.5 71 936 1038 1063 10 Zn 5 ppm 0 0.005
45.9 63 656 747 712 11 Zn 5 ppm 1 0.005 57 71 160 223 744 12 Zn 5
ppm 2 0.005 73 76.5 105 119 466 13 Cu 5 ppm 0 45.6 68 940 1021 1100
14 Cu 5 ppm 1 49 72 940 1018 1102 15 Cu 5 ppm 2 49 74 900 973 1100
16 MI1 0 0.005 39 44.5 449 575 658 17 MI1 1 0.005 73.9 87 100 105
732 18 MI1 2 0.005 132 137 137 137 690 19 MI1 1 0.01 74.5 74.8 87
89 116 20 Control 53.2 69.4 1031 1085 1122 (No Biocide) 22 Control
53.2 78 1101 1093 1128 (No Biocide) * MI1 a 4% citric acid solution
containing of 50 ppm each of Ag, Cu and Zn per ml giving ~5 ppm of
each in the test vial
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1A Metal Ion Change in Turbidity from T.sub.0
and Citric Na Lauroyl (delta NTU) Amount Acid Sarcosinate Time T 18
T 24 Example (ppm) (wt %) (wt %) 1 Hr hours hours T 96 Hours 1 Ag 5
ppm 0 15.1 845.5 887.5 950.5 2 Ag 5 ppm 1 16.5 834.5 854.5 996.5 3
Ag 5 ppm 2 17.5 830.1 899.1 974.1 4 Ag 5 ppm 0 0.005 4.7 549.2
630.2 626.2 5 Ag 5 ppm 1 0.005 9 25.6 70.6 794.6 6 Ag 5 ppm 2 0.005
4.1 14.1 49.1 809.1 7 Zn 5 ppm 0 20.7 948.2 949.2 1007.2 8 Zn 5 ppm
1 19.9 887.4 915.4 980.4 9 Zn 5 ppm 2 21.5 886.5 988.5 1013.5 10 Zn
5 ppm 0 0.005 17.1 610.1 701.1 666.1 11 Zn 5 ppm 1 0.005 14 103 166
687 12 Zn 5 ppm 2 0.005 3.5 32 46 393 13 Cu 5 ppm 0 22.4 894.4
975.4 1054.4 14 Cu 5 ppm 1 23 891 969 1053 15 Cu 5 ppm 2 25 851 924
1051 16 MI1 0 0.005 5.5 410 536 619 17 MI1 1 0.005 13.1 26.1 31.1
658.1 18 MI1 2 0.005 5 5 5 558 19 MI1 1 0.01 0.3 12.5 14.5 41.5 20
Control 16.2 977.8 1031.8 1068.8 (No Biocide) 22 Control 24.8
1047.8 1039.8 1074.8 (No Biocide) * MI1 a 4% citric acid solution
containing of 50 ppm each of Ag, Cu and Zn per ml giving ~5 ppm of
each in the test vial
[0099] As seen in Tables 1 and 1A, those formulations having both
the acid and the anionic surfactant provided marked yeast growth
inhibition through at least the first 24 hour period, even with the
low lever of anionic surfactant. Those samples with just the metal
ion or the metal ion in combination with the acid had no
appreciable effect on yeast growth. Although some inhibition was
also noted in those samples wherein only the metal(s) and
surfactant were present, the inhibition was not appreciable.
Rather, as noted, the further presence of excess acid gave a marked
and unexpected level of improvement. Finally, that formulation
having all three antimicrobial metal ions, plus the acid and
surfactant provided continued to show excellent yeast growth
inhibition even at the 96 hour test limit.
EXAMPLES 22-42
Surfactant Evaluation
[0100] A similar series of experiments was conducted again to
evaluate the performance of various combinations of the components
of the bioactive compositions of the present invention as well as
to demonstrate other anionic surfactants and combinations of
surfactants. The specific formulations evaluated and the yeast
growth results are presented in Tables 2 and 2A.
[0101] Once again, the importance of all three constituents was
evident from the results shown in Tables 2 and 2A. These results
further confirm that even a low excess acid content, here 0.4%,
provides excellent inhibition in yeast growth through 96 hours. The
somewhat less than ideal results shown in Examples 26 and 29
suggest some variation amongst anionic surfactants, at least with
sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), with zinc and copper ions. However,
the results are still significantly better than without a
surfactant at all and suggest a possible synergy with two.
Furthermore, because of the easier solubility of the SLS, as
compared to the sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (NaLS), the presence of
the SLS helps improve and/or enhance the solubility of the NaLS
under acid conditions.
EXAMPLES 43-57
Low Concentration Evaluation
[0102] A series of experiments were conducted again to evaluate the
performance of various combinations of the components of the
bioactive compositions of the present invention, this time focusing
on the impact of the low concentrations of the components and their
combinations. In this set of experiments, 1 ml aqueous solutions of
the bioactive/citric acid components were added to the 20 ml vials.
The specific formulations evaluated and the yeast growth results
are presented in Tables 3 and 3A.
[0103] As seen in Tables 3 and 3A, once again the combination of
bioactive metal ions, citric acid and anionic surfactant
demonstrated a marked inhibition in yeast growth as compared to the
individual components, even at the low concentrations of excess
acid and surfactant. Though, once again, the
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Turbidity (NTU) Time Example Metal citrates
(ppm) in .4% citric acid Surfactant* (wt %) zero T I hour T 18
hours T 24 hours T 96 Hrs 22 Copper 5 ppm 103 114 410 463 588 23
Zinc 5 ppm 103 118 475 488 589 24 Silver 5 ppm 155 168 181 190 670
25 Copper 5 ppm .005 NaLS 145 146 157 160 149 26 Copper 5 ppm .005
SLS 119 128 252 326 502 27 Copper 5 ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS 145 144
156 154 157 28 Zinc 5 ppm .005 NaLS 148 156 157 157 157 29 Zinc 5
ppm .005 SLS 126 134 217 234 539 30 Zinc 5 ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS
155 155 157 157 158 31 Silver 5 ppm .005 NaLS 170 170 184 184 180
32 Silver 5 ppm .005 SLS 177 177 193 196 196 33 Silver 5 ppm .005
NaLS:.005 SLS 193 190 198 199 199 34 Copper 2.5 ppm:Zinc 2.5 ppm 99
109 498 510 614 35 Copper 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm 128 152 424 530
727 36 Zinc 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm 128 151 541 621 720 37 Control I
(no biocide) 91 114 560 580 754 38 Control 2 (no biocide) 91 114
563 584 726 39 Copper 2.5 ppm:Zinc 2.5 ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS 192
180 193 193 193 40 Copper 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS
181 204 205 206 206 41 Zinc 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm .005 NaLS:.005
SLS 194 193 212 212 212 42 Copper 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm:Zinc 2.5
ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS 193 193 199 200 205 *NaLS--sodium lauroyl
sarcosinate, SLS--sodium lauryl sulfate
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2A Change in Turbidity from T0 (delta NTU)
Example Metal citrates (ppm) in .4% citric acid Surfactant* (wt %)
T I hour T 18 hours T 24 hours T 96 Hrs 22 Copper 5 ppm 11 307 360
485 23 Zinc 5 ppm 15 372 385 486 24 Silver 5 ppm 13 26 35 515 25
Copper 5 ppm .005 NaLS 1 12 15 4 26 Copper 5 ppm .005 SLS 9 133 207
383 27 Copper 5 ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS -1 11 9 12 28 Zinc 5 ppm
.005 NaLS 8 9 9 9 29 Zinc 5 ppm .005 SLS 8 91 108 413 30 Zinc 5 ppm
.005 NaLS:.005 SLS 0 2 2 3 31 Silver 5 ppm .005 NaLS 0 14 14 10 32
Silver 5 ppm .005 SLS 0 16 19 19 33 Silver 5 ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS
-3 5 6 6 34 Copper 2.5 ppm:Zinc 2.5 ppm 10 399 411 515 35 Copper
2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm 24 296 402 599 36 Zinc 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5
ppm 23 413 493 592 37 Control I (no biocide) 23 469 489 663 38
Control 2 (no biocide) 23 472 493 635 39 Copper 2.5 ppm:Zinc 2.5
ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS -12 1 1 1 40 Copper 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm
.005 NaLS:.005 SLS 23 24 25 25 41 Zinc 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm .005
NaLS:.005 SLS -1 18 18 18 42 Copper 2.5 ppm:Silver 2.5 ppm:Zinc 2.5
ppm .005 NaLS:.005 SLS 0 6 7 12
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Turbidity (NTU) OD Example Bioactive Metal*
Citric Acid (wt %) Surfactant** (wt %) (To) OD (T1 hr) OD (T18) OD
(T24) OD (T48) 43 0.01 NaLS 43 45 550 613 521 44 0.02 NaLS 43 40
460 524 624 45 0.01 SLS 43 47 675 728 758 46 0.02 SLS 37 42 495 610
605 47 0.01 NaLS/0.01 SLS 40 41 370 466 580 48 0.005 NaLS/0.005 SLS
43 47 630 696 726 49 0.05 42 46 835 920 878 50 0.1 38 44 780 864
852 51 MI1 0.2 50 62 809 891 915 52 MI1 0.2 0.01 NaLS 64 63 67 68
69 53 MI1 0.2 0.01 SLS 61 65 300 569 1039 54 MI1 0.2 0.005
NaLS/0.005 SLS 60 63 62 63 73 55 MI1 0.2 0.01 NaLS/0.01 SLS 85 76
76 79 79 56 Control 1 43 51 960 997 939 57 Control 2 43 51 890 986
887 *MI1 a 4% citric acid solution containing of 50 ppm each of Ag,
Cu and Zn per ml giving (@ 1 ml) ~5 ppm of each in the test vial
**NaLS - sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, SLS--sodium lauryl sulfate
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 3A Change in Turbidity from T0 (delta NTU)
Example Bioactive Metal* Citric Acid (wt %) Surfactant** (wt %) OD
(T1 hr) OD (T18) OD (T24) OD (T48) 43 0.01 NaLS 2 507 570 478 44
0.02 NaLS -3 417 481 581 45 0.01 SLS 4 632 685 715 46 0.02 SLS 5
458 573 568 47 0.01 NaLS/0.01 SLS 1 330 426 540 48 0.005 NaLS/0.005
SLS 4 587 653 683 49 0.05 4 793 878 836 50 0.1 6 742 826 814 51 MI1
0.2 12 759 841 865 52 MI1 0.2 0.01 NaLS -1 3 4 5 53 MI1 0.2 0.01
SLS 4 239 508 978 54 MI1 0.2 0.005 NaLS/0.005 SLS 3 2 3 13 55 MI1
0.2 0.01 NaLS/0.01 SLS -9 -9 -6 -6 56 Control 1 8 917 954 896 57
Control 2 8 847 943 844 *MI1 a 4% citric acid solution containing
of 50 ppm each of Ag, Cu and Zn per ml giving (@ 1 ml) ~5 ppm of
each in the test vial **NaLS - sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,
SLS--sodium lauryl sulfate
surfactants appeared to have a marginal inhibitory effect, as
compared to the controls, on their own, the inhibition was
negligible as compared to that of the systems according to the
present invention.
EXAMPLES 58-71
Ion-Exchange Metal Ion Source
[0104] A metal citrate solution was prepared by adding
approximately 4 grams of citric acid to about 8 grams of water and
mixed until fully dissolved. Thereafter, 0.1 grams each of two
ion-exchange type antimicrobial agents, AgION AC10D and AgION AK10D
antimicrobial agents from AgION Technologies of Wakefield, Mass.,
USA, were added to the concentrated citric acid solution with
agitation until the antimicrobial agents fully dissolved.
Approximately 92 grams of water was then added to provide a 4%
citric acid solution having dissolved therein 0.1 wt % AC10D and
0.1 wt % AK10D. AgION AK10D contains about 5.0% by weight silver
and about 13% by weight zinc and AgION AC10D contains about 6.0% by
weight copper and about 3.5% by weight silver. Various quantities
of the so formed citric acid solution were then added to test vials
so as to provide a silver content in the test vials of
approximately 1.25 ppm, 2.5 ppm, 5.0 ppm and 10 ppm. Additionally,
different surfactant and surfactant combinations were added to
certain vials to demonstrate the effect of different metal and acid
contents on bioefficacy with and without surfactants. The specific
formulations evaluated and the yeast growth results are presented
in Tables 4 and 4A.
[0105] As seen in Tables 4 and 4A, the compositions according to
the present invention provided marked inhibition in yeast growth.
Although Example 61 containing the higher concentration of metal
ions (10 ppm silver, 7 ppm copper and 15.3 ppm zinc), showed good
yeast growth inhibition, the higher degree of efficacy comes with
the concomitant increase in the release of these metals into the
environment. This becomes especially important where the bioactive
materials are to be used in or near marine and/or agricultural
applications. Thus, while high metal concentrations, especially of
silver, will provide better bioefficacy, they also hasten the
impact on aquatic environments. On the other hand, as shown in
those examples employing the antimicrobial metal containing acid
solutions with the anionic surfactant, especially sodium lauroyl
sarcosinate, alone
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 4 Turbidity (NTU) Example Ag Concentration ppm
Surfactant* (wt %) OD (T zero) OD (T1 hr) OD (T18 hr) OD (T24 hr)
OD (T44 hr) OD (T120 hr) 58 1.25 108 128 913 880 954 1136 59 2.5
127 157 865 890 941 1024 60 5 176 199 229 227 234 721 61 10 168 173
191 191 190 180 62 1.25 0.005 NaLS 143 158 240 560 843 708 63 2.5
0.005 NaLS 180 179 204 210 729 843 64 5 0.005 NaLS 194 201 222 221
227 227 65 1.25 0.005 SLS 136 167 953 930 973 1132 66 2.5 0.005 SLS
201 212 880 880 967 1145 67 5 0.005 SLS 248 247 272 272 296 297 68
1.25 .0025 NaLS/.0025 SLS 166 180 343 730 957 986 69 2.5 .0025
NaLS/.0025 SLS 215 217 235 239 759 940 70 5 .0025 NaLS/.0025 SLS
235 235 257 255 259 268 71 Control 101 125 1050 1050 1040 1183
*NaLS - sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, SLS--sodium lauryl sulfate
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 4A Change in Turbidity (delta NTU) Example Ag
Concentration ppm Surfactant* (wt %) OD (T1 hr) OD (T18 hr) OD (T24
hr) OD (T44 hr) OD (T120 hr) 58 1.25 20 805 772 846 1028 59 2.5 30
738 763 814 897 60 5 23 53 51 58 545 61 10 5 23 23 22 12 62 1.25
0.005 NaLS 15 97 417 700 565 63 2.5 0.005 NaLS -1 24 30 549 663 64
5 0.005 NaLS 7 28 27 33 33 65 1.25 0.005 SLS 31 817 794 837 996 66
2.5 0.005 SLS 11 679 679 766 944 67 5 0.005 SLS -1 24 24 48 49 68
1.25 .0025 NaLS/.0025 SLS 14 177 564 791 820 69 2.5 .0025
NaLS/.0025 SLS 2 20 24 544 725 70 5 .0025 NaLS/.0025 SLS 0 22 20 24
33 71 Control 24 949 949 939 1082 *NaLS - sodium lauroyl
sarcosinate, SLS--sodium lauryl sulfate
or in combination with sodium lauryl sulfate, the same and even
better yeast inhibition is realized with less than half, even less
than one-quarter, the metal ion concentrations. Furthermore, these
results show that by adjusting the level of surfactant, one may
reduce the level of metal ion even more while still providing
marked inhibition of the fungi.
[0106] Also surprising about this example is the finding that
citric acid could dissolve the antimicrobial zeolite particles.
This finding presents another means by which the inventive
compositions may be made as well as a number of alternative
applications for such materials not otherwise possible with the
zeolites in their solid form.
EXAMPLES 72-79
Metal Concentration
[0107] For this study a concentrated bioactive system (MI2) was
prepared comprising a 16% aqueous citric acid solution having
dissolved therein silver citrate, copper citrate and zinc citrate,
each added in an amount to provide 200 ppm of each metal, together
with 0.25% sodium Lauroyl sarcosinate and 0.32% sodium lauryl
sulfate. Various amounts of this system were added to the test
vials to further assess the impact of metal concentration yeast
inhibition. A further example was prepared further including a
non-ionic surfactant, Tween 20 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan
monolaurate), an emulsifier to assess its impact on performance.
The specific formulations evaluated and the results are presented
in Tables 5 and 5A.
[0108] As seen in Tables 5 and 5A, the high concentrations of
metals dramatically inhibited, if not stopped altogether, yeast
growth. The solutions of Examples 76, 77 and 78 containing
ultra-high metal content appeared to destroy the yeast cells,
showing what appeared to be a rapid denaturation of the yeast on
addition of the bioactive material to the text vials. It is likely
that the initial high turbidity reflected both that arising from
the addition of the bioactive materials themselves as well as the
destruction of the yeast cells.
[0109] Regardless, the results show that marked inhibition is also
attained at much lower concentrations of the metal in the presence
of the excess acid and surfactant. Indeed, just 15 ppm metals (5
ppm of each) provide excellent inhibition through 82 hours and
beyond.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 5 Concen- tration MI2* of added each metal
Turbidity (NTU) Example (ml) (ppm) T0 T18 T22 T24 T64 T82 72 0 0 63
920 980 964 1020 1050 73 0.1 1 81 608 722 820 1077 1062 74 0.25 2.5
111 126 142 160 752 810 75 0.5 5 145 198 208 208 205 203 76 1.0 10
483 410 395 369 320 300 77 2.0 20 1295 820 714 660 399 264 78 3.0
30 1435 766 620 555 340 340 79 0.5.sup.+ 5 141 249 405 600 1116
1129 *MI2 a 16% citric acid solution containing of 200 ppm each of
Ag, Cu and Zn per ml .sup.+this formulation also contained 0.1 wt %
Tween 20 a non-ionic surfactant
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 5A Concentration MI2* of added each metal
Change in Turbidity (delta NTU) Example (ml) (ppm) T18 - T 0 T22 -
T0 T24 - T0 T64 - T0 T82 - T0 72 0 0 857 917 901 957 987 73 0.1. 1
527 641 739 996 981 74 0.25 2.5 15 31 49 641 699 75 0.5 5 53 63 63
60 58 76 1.0 10 -73 -88 -114 -163 -183 77 2.0 20 -475 -581 -635
-896 -1031 78 3.0 30 -669 -815 -880 -1095 -1095 79 0.5.sup.+ 5 108
264 459 975 988 *MI2 a 16% citric acid solution containing of 200
ppm each of Ag, Cu and Zn per ml .sup.+this formulation also
contained 0.1 wt % Tween 20 a non-ionic surfactant
[0110] Finally, the addition of Tween 20 surfactant appeared to be
antagonistic to the action of the bioactive systems of the present
invention resulting in a reduction in the level of yeast
inhibition. Still, this composition (Example 79) manifested
moderate yeast inhibition through 24 hours. Depending upon the
specific end-use application contemplated, it is evident that
routine preliminary evaluations should be conducted before
formulating with various additives to ascertain their impact on the
inventive systems of the present invention.
EXAMPLES 80-95
Bioactives Synergy
[0111] A series of experiments were conducted in which possible
synergies were evaluated between the inventive compositions and
other bioactive materials as well as between such other bioactive
materials including a fungicide, an antimicrobial agent and a
disinfectant. The inventive bioactive system employed in this set
of experiments (MI3) was a 4% aqueous citric acid solution
containing 50 ppm silver, 50 ppm copper and 50 ppm zinc.
[0112] The fungicide evaluated was Mancozeb Flowable with Zinc from
Bonide Products, Inc. of Oniskany, N.Y., USA, a commercial
formulated fungicide containing 37% by wt mancozeb. Although the
specific formulation of the Mancozeb product is proprietary, as a
commercial formulation it would also contain certain surfactants
for enabling its application to plants for efficacy. Mancozeb is an
insoluble, dispersible powder that increases the turbidity of the
liquids to which it is added. Nevertheless, in a separate
evaluation, not reproduced here, it was found that Mancozeb was
able to control or inhibit yeast growth at a concentration of about
1.23.times.10.sup.-3. The label indicates its use rate at
2.6.times.10.sup.-3.
[0113] The antimicrobial active evaluated was AgION AC10D, an
antimicrobial zeolite additive available from AgION Technologies,
Inc., of Wakefield, Mass., USA, which, as noted above, contains 6.0
wt % copper and 3.5 wt % silver. In a separate dilution evaluation,
not reproduced here, it was found that an aqueous suspension of
AC10D showed some yeast control or inhibition at a concentration of
about 6.25.times.10.sup.-4.
[0114] Finally, the disinfectant evaluated was AgION SilverClene
24, a disinfectant material based on an aqueous solution of
electrolytically generated silver citrate (.about.30 ppm silver),
also distributed by AgION Technologies, Inc. Although proprietary,
this product and its manufacture is believed to be disclosed in
Arata--U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,176, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0115] The aforementioned materials as well as various combinations
thereof were evaluated to assess their efficacy in stopping or
inhibiting the growth of yeast. The specific formulations tested
and the yeast inhibition results attained therewith are presented
in Tables 6 and 6A.
[0116] The results presented in Tables 6 and 6A demonstrate a
marked synergy between the inventive compositions according the
present invention and commercial fungicides and antimicrobial
agents. Specifically, for example, a comparison of the results for
Examples 80, 81 and 82 demonstrate that combining low amounts of
the metal ions, citric acid and fungicide provided excellent
antifungal performance. While it is noted that these formulations
did not have additional surfactant, the commercial fungicide itself
contained surfactants that worked in combination with the metal
ions and citric acid to provide the benefits owing to that
combination as now claimed. These results show that excellent
antifungal activity, as measured by yeast growth inhibition, may be
attained with less than 10% of the amount of fungicide needed to
inhibit yeast growth by the simple addition of low levels of acid
and metal ions. As seen from Examples 91, 92 and 93, a similar
synergy is shown for the inventive compositions in combination with
a conventional inorganic antimicrobial agent. Here too, less than
10% of that amount of the antimicrobial agent needed when used
alone, provided good antimicrobial performance when in combination
with low levels of bioactive composition according to the present
invention. However, the substitution of the SilverClene 24 for the
inventive composition of the present invention, Examples 89 and 90,
provided no apparent benefit despite the relatively high silver
content.
[0117] Finally, in Example 86, ammonia was added to a portion of
the MI3 solution until the solution reached a pH of 6. 2 ml of this
buffered solution was then employed in the experiment. This example
indicates the importance of the low pH of the compositions
according to the present invention in order to provide desirable
performance.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 6 Turbidity (NTU) Amt MI3 Mancozeb AgION AC10D
SilverClene 24 OD Example (ml) (wt %) (wt %) (ml) Surfactant (wt %)
T zero T (1 hour) T (18 hour) T (24 Hour) pH 80 9.40E-05 262 293
1023 1030 3.07 81 1 9.40E-05 276 276 309 522 2.91 82 2 9.40E-05 301
301 308 312 2.55 83 2 1.88E-04 0.05 NaLS/0.05 SLS 350 362 362 362
84 2 3.75E-04 656 640 1001 1170 2.4 85 1 9.40E-05 0.05 SLS 331 321
328 330 2.48 86 to pH 6 3.75E-04 0.05 NaLS/0.05 SLS 609 605 825 968
4.91 87 1.88E-04 7.81E-05 0.05 NaLS 410 385 443 511 88 2 1.88E-04
7.81E-05 0.05 NaLS/0.05 SLS 521 435 435 440 2.68 89 9.40E-05 1 258
276 970 962 2.67 90 1.88E-04 2 365 364 782 1048 91 3.90E-05 128 151
862 800 3.23 92 2 3.90E-05 0.05 SLS 154 156 172 175 2.54 93 2
1.56E-04 0.05 NaLS/0.05 SLS 190 143 148 156 2.66 94 2 0.05
NaLS/0.05 SLS 157 67 189 195 2.51 95 Control 73 98 898 856 3.25
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 6A Amt MI3 Mancozeb AgION AC10D SilverClene 24
Change in Turbidity (delta NTU) Example (ml) (wt %) (wt %) (ml)
Surfactant (wt %) 1 hour 18 hour 1 - 18 hour 24 hour 1 - 24 hour 80
9.40E-05 31 761 730 768 737 81 1 9.40E-05 0 33 33 246 246 82 2
9.40E-05 0 7 7 11 11 83 2 1.88E-04 0.05 NaLS/0.05 SLS 12 12 0 12 0
84 2 3.75E-04 -16 345 361 514 530 85 1 9.40E-05 0.05 SLS -10 -3 7
-1 9 86 to pH 6 3.75E-04 0.05 NaLS/0.05 SLS -4 216 220 359 363 87
1.88E-04 7.81E-05 0.05 NaLS -25 33 58 101 126 88 2 1.88E-04
7.81E-05 0.05 NaLS/0.05 SLS -86 -86 0 -81 5 89 9.40E-05 1 18 712
694 704 686 90 1.88E-04 2 -1 417 416 683 682 91 3.90E-05 23 734 711
672 649 92 2 3.90E-05 0.05 SLS 2 18 16 21 19 93 2 1.56E-04 0.05
NaLS/0.05 SLS -47 -42 5 -34 13 94 2 0.05 NaLS/0.05 SLS -90 32 122
38 128 95 Control 25 825 800 783 758
EXAMPLES 96-107
Immunox Synergy
[0118] A similar study was conducted to assess the synergy between
the bioactive compositions according to the present invention and a
second fungicide, Immunox, a commercial fungicide containing 1.55%
myclobutanil, available from Spectrum Brands Division of United
Industries of Madison, Wis., USA. As a commercial formulation, this
too is expected to have some surfactants content. The bioactive
composition employed in this experiment was the concentrated
bioactive system (MI2) produced in Examples 72-79 above. The
specific dilutions of each and the results attained thereby are
presented in Table 7.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 7 Dilution Ratio T68 Delta Example Immunox MI2
T zero T1.5 OD T18 OD 68 96 1:80 150 152 832 682 97 1:200 106 112
980 874 98 1:64 97 107 1043 99 1:128 111 119 1126 100 1:256 84 131
1170 1086 101 1:512 81 140 1240 1159 102 1:256 1:80 138 141 268 130
103 1:256 1:200 102 114 1037 935 104 1:512 1:80 138 140 292 154 105
1:512 1:200 97 110 1031 934 106 Control 1 86 175 754 668 107
Control 2 87 176 1180 1093
[0119] As indicated in Table 7, none of the test vials containing
the low levels of each of the bioactive compositions or the Immunox
dilution provided antifungal activity through the full 96 hour
period tested. Furthermore, neither the 1:128 dilution (Example 99)
nor the 1:64 dilution (Example 98) of Immunox provided any measure
of efficacy, even in the shorter test period of 18 hours, despite
the fact that the manufacturer generally recommends a dilution of
1:64. Similarly, Examples 103 and 105 having a 1:200 dilution of
the bioactive composition (.about.1 ppm of each metal, 0.08% citric
acid, 0.00125 NaLS and 0.0016 SLS) in combination with the two
dilutions of the Immunox failed to demonstrate bioefficacy whereas
combinations of both dilutions of the Immunox with a somewhat
higher level, 1:80 dilution, of the bioactive composition
(.about.2.5 ppm of each metal, 0.2% citric acid, 0.003 NaLS and
0.004 SLS) demonstrated bioefficacy. This demonstrates a synergy
between the two compositions as the 1:80 dilution by itself failed
to show bioefficacy over the full period tested.
EXAMPLES 108-126
Metal Sources
[0120] A series of experiments were conducted using different metal
salts as the metal ion sources. Here, sufficient amounts of silver
nitrate, copper sulfate and zinc oxide were added to a 5% aqueous
citric acid solution to provide 31.75 ppm silver, 12.5 ppm copper
and 40.17 ppm zinc. Different quantities of this stock concentrate
solution (MI4) were added to the test vials to assess efficacy. The
specific formulations, including the resultant ppm of each metal in
the text vial, as well as the results thereof in inhibiting yeast
growth were as presented in Tables 8 and 8A.
[0121] The results shown in Tables 8 and 8A demonstrate that the
selection of the metal ion source is not critical so long as it is
readily soluble and is soluble to the extent needed to provide the
desired level of metal ion concentration in the solution.
Furthermore, the results demonstrate the bioefficacy even at
extremely low metal and acid contents. Although, the efficacy is
relatively short lived at the lower concentrations, long-term
bioefficacy is found with only minor adjustments in the relative
concentration of the necessary components. Furthermore, depending
upon the ultimate end-use application, such short term antifungal
efficacy may be sufficient; thus, enabling one to minimize any
environmental contamination from the general application of these
materials.
[0122] The results also suggest that sodium lauryl sulfate may be
ineffective on its own in promoting the bioefficacy of the
bioactive compositions of the present invention. Nevertheless, its
presence may be desirable where the efficacious surfactant is not
readily soluble in the aqueous system. On the other hand, its
presence or the presence of like surfactants may not be important
where the intent is to produce non-aqueous systems. For example,
systems to be applied as an emulsion in water or as an oil that
will spread on an aqueous medium to
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 8 Surfactant Volume Metals Concentration (w/w)
% Turbidity (NTU) Example MI4 added ppm Ag ppm Cu ppm Zn NaLS SDS T
zero T2 T18 T26 T44 T48 T68 108 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 81 129 950 1046
1046 1046 1054 109 1 1.59 0.63 2.01 85 136 950 997 1055 990 1023
110 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 112 158 916 930 960 930 970 111 3 4.76 1.88
6.03 126 158 760 799 810 830 844 112 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.005 140
143 179 307 919 936 980 113 1 1.59 0.63 2.01 0.005 140 137 143 152
279 306 468 114 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.005 180 174 174 177 244 252 282
115 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.005 187 185 184 184 184 184 272 116 0.5 0.79
0.31 1.00 0.005 83 132 948 1054 1066 1078 1097 117 1 1.59 0.63 2.01
0.005 97 136 911 1003 1100 1060 1075 118 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.005 116
147 746 907 970 1001 1006 119 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.005 124 156 504
701 840 868 916 120 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.0025 0.0025 140 140 250
640 1065 1088 1133 121 1 1.59 0.63 2.01 0.0025 0.0025 149 149 160
256 930 901 1014 122 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.0025 0.0025 164 177 174 174
291 459 804 123 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.0025 0.0025 176 179 177 181 320
445 736 124 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.01 162 162 162 163 163 164 164 125
0.86 1.37 0.54 1.73 0.01 150 140 140 140 186 208 254 126 78 113 877
866 878 865 898
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 8A Volume Surfactant Change in Turbidity
(delta NTU) MI4 Metals Concentration (w/w) % Delta Example added
ppm Ag ppm Cu ppm Zn NaLS SDS T2 - T0 D T18 - T0 D T26 - T0 D T44 -
T0 DT48 - T0 DT68 - T0 108 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 48 869 965 965 965
973 109 1 1.59 0.63 2.01 51 865 912 970 905 938 110 2 3.18 1.25
4.02 48 804 818 848 818 858 111 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 32 624 673 684 704
718 112 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.005 3 39 167 779 796 840 113 1 1.59
0.63 2.01 0.005 -3 3 12 139 166 328 114 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.005 -8
-6 -3 64 72 102 115 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.005 -2 -3 -3 -3 -3 85 116
0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.005 49 865 971 983 995 1014 117 1 1.59 0.63
2.01 0.005 39 814 906 1003 963 978 118 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.005 31
630 791 854 885 890 119 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.005 32 380 577 716 744
792 120 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.0025 0.0025 0 110 500 925 948 993 121
1 1.59 0.63 2.01 0.0025 0.0025 0 11 107 781 752 865 122 2 3.18 1.25
4.02 0.0025 0.0025 13 10 10 127 295 640 123 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.0025
0.0025 3 1 5 144 269 560 124 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.01 0 0 1 1 2 2 125
0.86 1.37 0.54 1.73 0.01 -10 -10 -10 36 58 104 126 35 799 788 800
787 820
which it is applied, e.g., a rice paddy, may look to surfactants
that are less hydrophilic and more lipophilic.
EXAMPLES 127-143
Lactic Acid
[0123] A series of experiments was conducted similar to the
previous with the exception that lactic acid was substituted for
citric acid. Hence, the bioactive composition (MI5) comprised
sufficient amounts of silver nitrate, copper sulfate and zinc oxide
dissolved in a 5% aqueous lactic acid solution to provide 31.75 ppm
silver, 12.5 ppm copper and 40.17 ppm zinc. The specific
formulations tested and the results attained therewith were as
presented in Tables 9 and 9A.
[0124] The results as shown in Tables 9 and 9A, mimic those found
in the previous set of experiments indicating that the invention is
translatable to acids of similar characteristics.
EXAMPLES 144-156
Phosphoric Acid
[0125] Two stock solutions were prepared for evaluation wherein the
acid employed was phosphoric acid. In the first, silver citrate,
copper citrate and zinc citrate were added to a 16% aqueous
phosphoric acid solution to provide 200 ppm of each metal. A second
stock solution was prepared using silver nitrate, copper sulfate
and zinc oxide, again in the 16% phosphoric acid solution to
provide 200 ppm of each metal. Both composition further contained
0.32% surfactant, either as an individual surfactant or as a 50:50
mix. The specific formulations and the results of their efficacy in
controlling yeast growth were as presented in Tables 10 and
10A.
[0126] The results as shown in Tables 10 and 10A suggest that the
surfactant may not be critical in those compositions wherein the
excess acid is a strong to moderate acid, such as phosphoric
acid.
EXAMPLES 157-166
Nitric Acid
[0127] To further demonstrate the breadth of the bioactive
compositions, a relatively strong mineral acid, nitric acid, was
employed as the acid component. A stock solution was prepared by
combining 78.7 mg sliver nitrate, 62.2 mg zinc oxide and 200 mg
copper sulfate with 20 ml of purified water and 1.5 g concentrated
nitric acid (68%) under constant agitation. Once the solids
were
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 9 Surfactant Volume Metals Concentration (w/w)
% Turbidity (NTU) Example MI5 added ppm Ag ppm Cu ppm Zn NaLS SDS T
zero T1 T18 T24 T44 127 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 107 130 1000 1111 1001
128 1 1.59 0.63 2.01 109 130 1006 1021 1016 129 2 3.18 1.25 4.02
148 154 970 995 1014 130 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 178 202 914 925 990 131
0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.005 134 170 300 454 923 132 1 1.59 0.63 2.01
0.005 153 169 200 227 292 133 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.005 218 217 207
204 228 134 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.005 222 223 222 215 227 135 0.5 0.79
0.31 1.00 0.005 120 145 1074 1111 1079 136 1 1.59 0.63 2.01 0.005
140 156 1050 1092 1110 137 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.005 179 193 945 1031
1080 138 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.005 223 239 690 977 1180 139 0.5 0.79
0.31 1.00 0.0025 0.0025 143 151 884 968 1170 140 1 1.59 0.63 2.01
0.0025 0.0025 175 175 237 330 1110 141 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.0025
0.0025 210 214 207 223 730 142 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.0025 0.0025 240
240 228 228 475 143 control 100 139 1175 1163 1170
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 9A Surfactant Volume Metals Concentration
(w/w) % Change in Turbidity (delta NTU) Example MI5 added ppm Ag
ppm Cu ppm Zn NaLS SDS D T1 - T0 D T18 - T10 D T24 - T0 D T44 - T0
127 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 23 893 1004 894 128 1 1.59 0.63 2.01 21 897
912 907 129 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 8 822 847 866 130 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 24
736 747 812 131 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.005 36 166 320 789 132 1 1.59
0.63 2.01 0.005 16 47 74 139 133 2 3.18 1.25 4.02 0.005 -1 -11 -14
10 134 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.005 1 0 -7 5 135 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.005
25 954 991 959 136 1 1.59 0.63 2.01 0.005 16 910 952 970 137 2 3.18
1.25 4.02 0.005 14 766 852 901 138 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.005 16 467
754 957 139 0.5 0.79 0.31 1.00 0.0025 0.0025 8 741 825 1027 140 1
1.59 0.63 2.01 0.0025 0.0025 0 62 155 935 141 2 3.18 1.25 4.02
0.0025 0.0025 4 -3 13 520 142 3 4.76 1.88 6.03 0.0025 0.0025 0 -12
-12 235 143 control 39 1075 1063 1070
TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 10 Turbidity (NTU Example Metal source Metal
(ppm) Surfactants (w/w) T zero T 1 hour T18 T24 T42 T48 T72 T96 144
Citrate salts* 2.5 123 134 300 400 1046 1094 1146 1106 145 Citrate
salts* 5 199 180 166 166 160 163 162 154 146 Citrate salts* 10 211
193 176 176 172 177 172 169 147 AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 2.5 168 166 179
179 172 174 778 1162 148 AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 5 209 193 180 180 175
174 170 168 149 AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 10 228 219 197 197 196 204 199
194 150 Citrate salts* 5 0.05 SLS 226 218 200 200 193 203 192 186
151 Citrate salts* 5 0.05 NaLS 258 254 216 216 200 205 197 185 152
Citrate salts* 5 0.05 SLS/0.05 NaLS 253 237 200 200 204 208 201 188
153 AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 5 0.05 SLS 285 263 229 229 223 229 214 206
154 AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 5 0.05 NaLS 280 273 226 222 216 213 208 184
155 AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 5 0.05 SLS/0.05 NaLS 283 272 250 247 232 238
232 215 156 Control 52 53 437 599 938 913 877 886 *Ag citate, Cu
citrate and Zn citrate, each at level designated
TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 10A Metal Change in Turbidity (delta NTU)
Example Metal source (ppm) Surfactants (w/w) T1 - T0 T18 - T1 T24 -
T1 T42 - T1 T48 - T1 T72 - T1 T96 - T1 144 Citrate salts* 2.5 11
166 266 912 960 1012 972 145 Citrate salts* 5 -19 -14 -14 -20 -17
-18 -26 146 Citrate salts* 10 -18 -17 -17 -21 -16 -21 -24 147
AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 2.5 -2 13 13 6 8 612 996 148 AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 5
-16 -13 -13 -18 -19 -23 -25 149 AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 10 -9 -22 -22 -23
-15 -20 -25 150 Citrate salts* 5 0.05 SLS -8 -18 -18 -25 -15 -26
-32 151 Citrate salts* 5 0.05 NaLS -4 -38 -38 -54 -49 -57 -69 152
Citrate salts* 5 0.05 SLS/0.05 NaLS -16 -37 -37 -33 -29 -36 -49 153
AgNO3, CuSO4, ZnO 5 0.05 SLS -22 -34 -34 -40 -34 -49 -57 154 AgNO3,
CuSO4, ZnO 5 0.05 NaLS -7 -47 -51 -57 -60 -65 -89 155 AgNO3, CuSO4,
ZnO 5 0.05 SLS/0.05 NaLS -11 -22 -25 -40 -34 -40 -57 156 Control 1
384 546 885 860 824 833
dissolved, additional purified water was added to make up a 250
volume. As prepared, this mixture contained approximately 200 ppm
of each metal, as calculated. The pH was measured and found to be
1.66. The mixture was then divided into three aliquots of
approximately equal volume. One aliquot was set aside and the other
two were subjected to pH adjustment with ammonia hydroxide. The
amount of ammonia hydroxide was added was that necessary to bring
the pH of the first aliquot up to 2.55 and the second aliquot up to
3.63.
[0128] Each solution was then evaluated, with and without
surfactants, to assess their bioefficacy in inhibiting the growth
of yeast. The amount of each of the three aliquots added to the 20
ml vial of the yeast suspension is set forth in Table 11 together
with the amount of surfactant added, where indicated. The
surfactant employed was a 50:50 mix of sodium lauryl sulfate and
sodium lauroyl sarcosinate. The specific formulations tested and
the results thereof are presented in Table 11. As can be seen from
Table 11, the combination of metal and acid did not provide any
inhibition at the levels tested. However, when the surfactant was
added, bioefficacy was manifested even at the lower metal/acid
concentration.
TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 11 Nitric Acid Vol. MI6 Metals Surfactant
Turbidity/Change in Turbidity Example Added (ppm) (w/w)% pH T0 T18
T18 - T0 T42 T42 - T0 157 0.5 5 1.66 69 1243 1174 1133 1064 158 0.5
5 2.55 67 1245 1178 1133 1066 159 0.5 5 3.63 69 1243 1174 1150 1081
160 1 10 1.66 65 976 911 1162 1097 161 1 10 2.55 66 1012 946 1186
1120 162 1 10 3.63 67 1036 969 1166 1099 163 0.5 5 0.05 1.66 61 55
-6 58 -3 164 0.5 5 0.05 2.55 62 53 -9 55 -7 165 0.5 5 0.05 3.63 60
57 -3 52 -8 166 0 67 1255 1188 1212 1145
EXAMPLES 167-222
Surfactant Evaluation
[0129] A series of experiments were conducted to screen various
surfactants for efficacy in accordance with the present invention.
The surfactants were evaluated as a neat additive (0 ppm metals) or
in combination with either 1 ml or 2 ml of a 4% citric acid
solution containing 50 ppm each of copper, silver and zinc. With
the addition of 1 ml of the citric acid solution, the test vial of
the yeast suspension will have about 0.2% citric acid and about 2.5
ppm of each metal. With the addition of 2 ml of the citric acid
solution, the acid is approximately 0.4% and the metals are each
present at about 5 ppm in the test vials. Each surfactant was
evaluated at a concentration of approximately 0.05 wt %. Controls
were also evaluated with and without the metals.
[0130] The specific surfactants evaluated as well as the
formulations of each test composition together with the results
thereof are set forth in Table 12. As seen in Table 12, the
benefits of the present invention are realized with a broad array
of surfactant materials. Especially preferred surfactants are those
that are free or substantially free of repeat ethylene oxide units
and/or have moderate to lower molecular weights. Despite the
foregoing, it is noted that good results were attained with the
Pluronic L62, a polyethylene oxide containing surfactant, when used
in combination with the lower level of acid and metals. It is
thought that the higher acid level may have affected the stability
of this material, and possibly like materials.
EXAMPLES 223-236
Strobilurin Comparison
[0131] A series of experiments were conducted in order to evaluate
the comparative performance of the bioactive compositions of the
present invention and several commercial strobilurin based
fungicides. Two bioactive formulations were used. The first, MI2,
comprised a 16% aqueous citric acid solution having dissolved
therein silver citrate, copper citrate and zinc citrate, each being
added in an amount to provide 200 ppm of each metal, together with
0.25% sodium Lauroyl sarcosinate and 0.32% sodium lauryl sulfate,
as noted above. The second, MI7, comprised a 160:1 dilution of a
16% aqueous phosphoric acid solution having dissolved therein
silver citrate, copper citrate and zinc citrate, each being added
in
TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 12 Example Surfactants Surfactant Chemistry
Source Type 167 Pluronic L62 E0-PO Block copolymer BASF Nonionic
168 169 170 Hampopsyl L95 Na N-lauroyl Sarcosinate Hampshire
Chemical Anionic 171 172 173 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Sodium Lauryl
Sulfate VWR Scientific Anionic 174 175 176 Witco Sodium Laurylether
Sulfate Witco Chemical Anionic 177 (2 mole EO) 178 179 Jeenteric
CAPB LC Cocamidopropyl betaine Jeen International Corp Amphoteric
180 181 182 Manckinate LO100 DLSS Dilauryl sulfosuccinate
Mackintire Chemical amphoteric 183 184 185 Ammonyx LO Lauryl
Dimethyamine Oxide Stepan Chemical Nonionic 186 187 188 Hamposyl
C30 Na N-cocoyl Sarcosinate Hampshire Chemical Anionic 189 190 191
Hamposyl M30 Na N-myristoyl Sarcosinate Hampshire Chemical Anionic
192 193 194 Hampshire TL Glutamate TEA lauroyl Glutamate Hampshire
Chemical Anionic 195 196 197 Tergitol 15S3 Secondary Alcohol
Ethoxylate Dow Chemical Nonionic 198 199 200 Tergitol 15S7
Secondary Alcohol Ethoxylate Dow Chemical Nonionic 201 202 203
Tergitol TMN6 Branched Secondary Alcohol Dow Chemical Nonionic 204
Ethoxylate 205 206 Tergitol TMN3 Branched Secondary Alcohol Dow
Chemical Nonionic 207 Ethoxylate 208 209 Sulfonic TDA3B C1-C14
Ethoxylated Alcohol Huntsman Chemical Nonionic 210 211 212 Tween 20
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan Nonionic 213 monolaurate 214 215
Plantaren 2000 Alkyl polyglycoside Cognis Nonionic 216 217 218
Control 219 Control (2.5 ppm) 220 Control (5 ppm) 221 Metals
Control 222 Metals Control Example Metal ppm T0 T18 T48 T72 T96 T18
- T0 T48 - T0 T72 - T0 T96 - T0 167 0 47 1088 1113 1142 1156 1041
1066 1095 1109 168 2.5 343 376 362 364 340 33 19 2 -24 169 5 118
1127 1138 1175 1146 1009 1020 1057 1028 170 0 47 42 390 884 878 -5
343 837 831 171 2.5 70 909 999 1037 983 839 929 967 913 172 5 407
444 442 440 440 37 35 33 33 173 0 48 495 658 642 639 447 610 594
591 174 2.5 88 90 88 88 87 2 0 0 -1 175 5 231 244 233 238 232 13 2
7 1 176 0 48 1060 1021 957 923 1012 973 909 875 177 2.5 73 819 1415
1436 1447 746 1342 1363 1374 178 5 140 143 446 870 915 3 306 730
775 179 0 48 645 657 882 462 597 609 834 414 180 2.5 93 90 91 90 88
-3 -2 -3 -5 181 5 204 204 202 202 202 0 -2 -2 -2 182 0 95 1020 866
817 788 925 771 722 693 183 2.5 118 97 106 1165 1317 -21 -12 1047
1199 184 5 251 239 232 224 215 -12 -19 -27 -36 185 0 44 28 35 45 28
-16 -9 1 -16 186 2.5 972 390 118 115 105 -582 -854 -857 -867 187 5
652 314 252 227 180 -338 -400 -425 -472 188 0 44 207 1043 1041 1037
163 999 997 993 189 2.5 699 677 657 673 1115 -22 -42 -26 416 190 5
510 554 576 589 593 44 66 79 83 191 0 46 28 152 1205 1184 -18 106
1159 1138 192 2.5 588 564 1372 1385 1389 -24 784 797 801 193 5 583
586 1299 1382 1383 3 716 799 800 194 0 66 946 977 927 905 880 911
861 839 195 2.5 182 410 1143 1189 1178 228 961 1007 996 196 5 218
618 1104 1129 1162 400 886 911 944 197 0 188 1140 1178 969 880 952
990 781 692 198 2.5 180 340 1247 1227 1134 160 1067 1047 954 199 5
317 818 1350 1297 1289 501 1033 980 972 200 0 48 865 1077 766 577
817 1029 718 529 201 2.5 91 117 1152 1087 917 26 1061 996 826 202 5
197 408 1291 1224 1217 211 1094 1027 1020 203 0 50 940 1128 784 614
890 1078 734 564 204 2.5 106 132 1184 1140 1048 26 1078 1034 942
205 5 215 480 1300 1275 1266 265 1085 1060 1051 206 0 49 314 1015
700 541 265 966 651 492 207 2.5 92 94 1054 1014 876 2 962 922 784
208 5 189 247 1100 1128 1128 58 911 939 939 209 0 206 1163 1183 948
809 957 977 742 603 210 2.5 260 372 1296 1248 1192 112 1036 988 932
211 5 359 725 1369 1366 1319 366 1010 1007 960 212 0 57 1077 1118
1087 730 1020 1061 1030 673 213 2.5 92 932 1116 867 719 840 1024
775 627 214 5 169 1080 1144 1105 1048 911 975 936 879 215 0 56 346
906 782 642 290 850 726 586 216 2.5 102 410 660 1104 1323 308 558
1002 1221 217 5 229 235 232 232 237 6 3 3 8 218 0 58 1171 1152 1168
1177 1113 1094 1110 1119 219 0 94 968 1073 1180 1041 874 979 1086
947 220 0 132 1196 1185 1228 1233 1064 1053 1096 1101 221 2.5 93
1001 1080 1128 962 908 987 1035 869 222 5 152 1160 1186 1228 1193
1008 1034 1076 1041
an amount to provide 200 ppm of each metal in the phosphoric acid
solution. Each fungicide was evaluated at different levels. The
specific formulations tested and the results attained therewith are
presented in Tables 13 and 13A.
[0132] As seen in Tables 13 and 13A, the bioactive compositions of
the present invention provided marked inhibition of yeast growth,
even at the lower concentrations, .about.5 ppm of each metal ion.
On the other hand, all but two of the strobilurin based fungicide
formulations tested failed to demonstrate any significant
bioefficacy against yeast over the time period tested. The two
formulations that provided good inhibition were at comparatively
high loadings.
EXAMPLES 237-250
Strobilurin Synergy
[0133] In light of the foregoing poor performance of the
strobilurins generally, a series of experiments were conducted in
order to evaluate the potential synergy between the bioactive
compositions of the present invention and the foregoing commercial
strobilurin based fungicides. The compositions employed were the
same as used in the previous set of examples. The specific
formulations tested and the results attained therewith are
presented in Tables 14 and 14A.
[0134] As seen in Tables 14 and 14A, the combination of the
bioactive compositions of the present invention with the
strobilurin products produced a synergy whereby even the lowest
levels of the strobilurin products tested produced a significant
inhibition in yeast growth, even though these products appear to
increase yeast growth when used alone, as shown in the Tables 13
and 13A.
EXAMPLES 251-259
Copper/Zinc Study
[0135] A series of experiments were conducted to demonstrate the
bioefficacy of binary metal systems as compared to the ternary
system used in most other examples. Here a solution of MI2 was
compared to a similar composition containing 300 ppm of copper and
300 ppm of zinc (i.e., a 16% aqueous citric acid solution having
dissolved therein copper citrate and zinc citrate, each being added
in an amount to provide 300 ppm of each metal, together with 0.25%
sodium Lauroyl sarcosinate and 0.32% sodium lauryl sulfate). The
two bioactive compositions were evaluated at different loadings to
assess their bioefficacy. The
TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 13 Turbidity (NTU) Example Fungicide vol.
Added T0 T1 T18 T26 T50 223 Quadris.sup.a 1 384 393 1066 1139 1134
224 2 767 772 1264 1311 1315 225 5 1332 1332 1364 1377 1376 226
Flint.sup.b 1 418 424 1115 1208 1234 227 2 718 708 1141 1299 1327
228 5 1210 1210 1270 1265 1245 229 Headline.sup.c 1 232 225 961
1114 1137 230 2 387 391 1066 1134 1199 231 5 717 747 1178 1222 1241
232 MI2 0.5 128 129 154 177 174 233 MI2 1 414 384 366 366 352 234
MI7 0.5 249 244 248 248 242 235 MI7 1 311 302 283 283 277 236
Control 67 68 793 871 904 .sup.aQuadris fungicide from Syngenta
Crop Protections, Inc. of Greensboro, NC, USA .sup.bFlint fungicide
from Bayer CropScience LP of Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
.sup.cHeadline from BASF Corporation of Research Triangle Park, NC,
USA
TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 13A Change in Turbidity (delta NTU) Example
Fungicide vol. Added T18 - T1 T26 - T1 T50 - T1 223 Quadris.sup.a 1
673 746 741 224 2 492 539 543 225 5 32 45 44 226 Flint.sup.b 1 691
784 810 227 2 433 591 619 228 5 60 55 35 229 Headline.sup.c 1 736
889 912 230 2 675 743 808 231 5 431 475 494 232 MI2 0.5 25 48 45
233 MI2 1 -18 -18 -32 234 MI7 0.5 4 4 -2 235 MI7 1 -19 -19 -25 236
Control 725 803 836 .sup.aQuadris fungicide from Syngenta Crop
Protections, Inc. of Greensboro, NC, USA .sup.bFlint fungicide from
Bayer CropScience LP of Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
.sup.cHeadline from BASF Corporation of Research Triangle Park, NC,
USA
TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 14 Turbidity (NTU) Example Bioactive Vol.
Added Fungicide.sup.a Vol. Added T0 T1 T18 T24 T96 237 MI2 0.25 Q 1
552 554 544 670 1315 238 MI2 0.25 Q 2 896 894 868 891 1470 239 MI2
0.5 Q 1 588 578 564 564 608 240 MI2 0.25 F 1 578 599 568 568 1320
241 MI2 0.25 F 2 900 900 886 886 1330 242 MI2 0.25 H 1 436 433 454
454 1312 243 MI2 0.25 H 2 611 637 667 632 1302 244 MI7 0.25 Q 1 558
574 640 668 1273 245 MI7 0.25 F 1 517 560 990 1197 1396 246 MI7
0.25 H 1 465 476 605 587 1290 247 Control -- 93 101 901 986 1075
248 MI2 0.5 499 440 390 390 373 249 MI2 0.25 182 179 175 176 1122
250 MI2 0.5 262 260 260 275 275 .sup.aQ--Quadris fungicide from
Syngenta Crop Protections, Inc. of Greensboro, NC, USA; F--Flint
fungicide from Bayer CropScience LP of Research Triangle Park, NC,
USA; and H--Headline from BASF Corporation of Research Triangle
Park, NC, USA
TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 14A Change in Turbidity (delta NTU) Example
Bioactive Vol. Added Fungicide.sup.a Vol. Added T18 - T1 T24 - T1
T96 - T1 237 MI2 0.25 Q 1 -10 116 761 238 MI2 0.25 Q 2 -26 -3 576
239 MI2 0.5 Q 1 -14 -14 30 240 MI2 0.25 F 1 -31 -31 721 241 MI2
0.25 F 2 -14 -14 430 242 MI2 0.25 H 1 21 21 879 243 MI2 0.25 H 2 30
-5 665 244 MI7 0.25 Q 1 66 94 699 245 MI7 0.25 F 1 430 637 836 246
MI7 0.25 H 1 129 111 814 247 Control -- 800 885 974 248 MI2 0.5 -50
-50 -67 249 MI2 0.25 -4 -3 943 250 MI2 0.5 0 15 15 .sup.aQ--Quadris
fungicide from Syngenta Crop Protections, Inc. of Greensboro, NC,
USA; F--Flint fungicide from Bayer CropScience LP of Research
Triangle Park, NC, USA; and H--Headline from BASF Corporation of
Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
specific formulations tested and the results attained therewith are
presented in Tables 15 and 15A.
[0136] As seen in Tables 15 and 15A, both the binary
(copper/zinc--Cu/Zn) and the MI2 ternary silver/copper/zinc
antimicrobial bioactive compositions demonstrated comparable
bioefficacy in inhibiting the growth of yeast.
TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 15 Composition (gm) Example Cu/Zn MI2 T0 T1
T18 T24 T46 251 1 776 586 468 463 436 252 0.5 292 269 250 250 245
253 0.2 147 162 772 1055 1075 254 0.1 93 125 1076 1070 1036 255
Control 66 127 1020 1012 1137 256 1 830 633 547 522 500 257 0.5 335
320 292 302 284 258 0.2 152 178 512 1064 1098 259 0.1 90 136 1083
1087 1067
TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 15A Composition (gm) Cu/Zn MI2 T1 - T0 T18 -
T0 T24 - T0 T46 - T0 251 1 -190 -118 -5 -27 252 0.5 -23 -19 0 -5
253 0.2 15 610 283 20 254 0.1 32 951 -6 -34 255 Control 61 893 -8
125 256 1 -197 -86 -25 -22 257 0.5 -15 -28 10 -18 258 0.2 26 334
552 34 259 0.1 46 947 4 -20
EXAMPLES 260-269
Mancozeb Synergy
[0137] A further series of experiments were conducted to assess the
bioefficacy, especially the synergy, of the bioactive agrichemical
composition containing Mancozeb (an ethylene bisdithiocarbamate)
and the MI2 bioactive acid solution (MI2). The specific
formulations tested and the results attained therewith are
presented in Table 16 and 16A.
TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 16 Composition (gm) Example Mancozeb MI2 T0 T2
T18 T24 T44 260 0.5 934 976 1220 1095 1091 261 0.4 780 859 1021 982
1052 262 0.3 624 717 1209 1067 1113 263 0.2 392 489 1035 933 1073
264 0.2 57 55 54 72 756 265 0.5 0.2 930 897 864 839 788 266 0.4 0.2
727 709 684 664 591 267 0.3 0.2 537 555 535 509 460 268 0.2 0.2 370
369 370 343 331 269 Control 23 106 935 824 917
TABLE-US-00029 TABLE 16A Ex- Composition (gm) ample Mancozeb MI2 T2
- T0 T18 - T0 T24 - T0 T44 - T0 260 0.5 42 286 161 157 261 0.4 79
241 202 272 262 0.3 93 585 443 489 263 0.2 97 643 541 681 264 0.2
-2 -3 15 699 265 0.5 0.2 -33 -66 -91 -142 266 0.4 0.2 -18 -43 -63
-136 267 0.3 0.2 18 -2 -28 -77 268 0.2 0.2 -1 0 -27 -39 269 Control
83 912 801 894
[0138] As seen in Tables 16 and 16A, the mancozeb by itself was
ineffective at all levels tested. The bioactive acid solution by
itself provided modest bioefficacy, in spite of the very low level
of antimicrobial metal ions; however, the suitable bioefficacy
appeared to have been lost after 44 hours. In sharp contrast, the
combination of the two, at all levels of the mancozeb, demonstrated
excellent bioefficacy, even after 44 hours.
[0139] Antibacterial Study
EXAMPLES 270-285
[0140] A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the
performance of the individual components of the claimed bioactive
compositions as well as various combinations thereof, including,
the claimed compositions themselves, in suppressing the growth of
various bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)
were selected as a test organisms as they are generally accepted in
the industry as indicator organisms for a wide variety of bacteria.
Two different test methodologies were evaluated, one testing the
efficacy in a growth broth media and the other testing inhibition
in plated growth media.
EXAMPLES 270-281
[0141] In the first set of experiments a growth medium was prepared
by adding 10 grams of nutrient medium (Difco Sabouraud dextrose
broth from BD of Franklin Lakes, N.J., USA) to 300 ml of distilled
water. The 20 ml aliquots of the growth medium were dispensed into
sterile into 40 ml borosilicate glass vials with Teflon lined caps
(VWR International Cat. No. 15900-004). The vials were inoculated
with the bacteria using a sterile loop and the vials then incubated
at 37.degree. C. A bioactive composition according to the invention
was then added to certain vials, the bioactive composition was
(MI2), as described above, comprising a 16% aqueous citric acid
solution having dissolved therein silver citrate, copper citrate
and zinc citrate, each added in an amount to provide 200 ppm of
each metal, together with 0.25% sodium Lauroyl sarcosinate and
0.32% sodium lauryl sulfate. The turbidity of each mixture was then
determined and the vial transferred to an incubator at 30.degree.
C. Turbidity measurements were performed as in the above cited
yeast studies. Each vial was periodically removed from the
incubator and the mixture in the vials assessed for turbidity. The
specific formulations tested, the timing for each turbidity
evaluation, and the results attained thereby were as set forth in
Table 17.
[0142] As with the yeast study, the concentration of the metals
refers the approximate amount of each metal, copper, silver and
zinc. The concentrations do not account for the volume of MI2
added: thus, the concentrations presented are on the basis of a 20
ml total volume.
TABLE-US-00030 TABLE 17 Metals T18 T24 T96 Example Bacterium MI2
(ml) ppm T0 T30 min hours hours hours 270 E. coli 0 0 15.3 16 119
136 264 271 0.5 5 131 135.3 165 162 162 272 1 10 445 454 481 480
480 273 2 20 1039 1080 1135 1140 1009 274 p. aeruginosa 0 0 35.8
37.8 158 383 436 275 0.5 5 197 207 250 262 261 276 1 10 705 735 782
808 807 277 2 20 1011 1057 1121 1159 1146 278 S. aureus 0 0 46 45
148 184 406 279 0.5 5 215 163 173 183 184 280 1 10 643 494 326 309
276 281 2 20 1203 1032 595 525 281
[0143] As seen in Table 17, there was short term increase in
turbidity. Since it was not anticipated that any significant growth
would have manifested in such a short period of time, it is
believed that the initial increase in turbidity resulted from a
denaturation of proteins in the broth and/or bacterial proteins.
Regardless, the longer term results show excellent bacterial
inhibition with the compositions according to the present
invention.
EXAMPLE 282
[0144] In this experiment, six 25 mm sterile coverslips were placed
into separate 100.times.15 mm sterile Petri dishes and two of each
inoculated with 100 .mu.l of one of three TSB broths: each broth
containing one of E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus that had
been allowed to incubate for 48-54 hours. In order to affix the
inoculum to the coverslips, the Petri dishes were placed on a low
temperature hot plate for approximately 5 minutes. One of each of
the inoculated Petri dishes was set aside as positive controls. The
other was sprayed with 4 sprays of a 4:1 dilution of the bioactive
compositions MI2. After 2-3 minutes the coverslips and liquid
contents of each Petri dish was aseptically transferred into
separate vials containing 20 ml of TSB and incubated at 37.degree.
C. for 24 hours. Negative controls were prepared by placing
non-inoculated sterile coverslips into the 20 ml TSB and incubating
as well. After 24 hours, no growth was observed with the negative
controls or with those inoculated coverslips that had been sprayed
with the bioactive composition of the present invention. Visual
growth was observed in two of the positive controls (i.e., those
vials containing the inoculated coverslips that had not been
sprayed): the positive control for p. aeruginosa failed to show
visual growth. It is believed that the failure of the later to show
growth resulted from overheating the inoculum during the fixturing
step.
EXAMPLE 283
[0145] In this experiment, two Trypticase soy agar (TSA) plates
were inoculated with 500 .mu.l of one of three TSB broths for a
total of 6 inoculated plates: each broth contained one of E. coli,
P. aeruginosa and S. aureus that had been allowed to incubate for
48-54 hours. The inoculum was evenly spread across the surface of
the plate with a sterile loop. A 15 mm diameter disc of filter
paper that had been dipped in a 4:1 dilution of the MI2 bioactive
composition was placed in the center of one of each set of
inoculated plates and all plates were placed in an incubator at
37.degree. C. for 24 hours. Non-inoculated control plates were also
placed in the incubator as well.
[0146] After 24 hours, visual growth was observed. No bacterial
growth was seen in the non-inoculated plates. Growth was observed
on all of the inoculated plates; however, in those plates wherein
the treated filter paper had been placed, no growth was seen on or
near the filter paper. Each treated filter paper disc manifested a
clear zone of inhibition of bacterial growth.
EXAMPLE 284
[0147] In this experiment, two Trypticase soy agar (TSA) plates
were inoculated with 500 .mu.l of one of three TSB broths for a
total of 6 inoculated plates: each broth contained one of E. coli,
P. aeruginosa and S. aureus that had been allowed to incubate for
48-54 hours. The inoculum was evenly spread across the surface of
the plate with a sterile loop. One of each inoculated plates was
then sprayed, approximately 24 times, with the 4:1 dilution of the
MI2 bioactive composition. The inoculated plates plus a set of
plates non-inoculated control plates were placed in an incubator at
37.degree. C. for 24 hours.
[0148] After 24 hours, visual growth was observed on inoculated,
but untreated plates whereas no bacterial growth was seen in the
non-inoculated plates or in those inoculated plates that had been
sprayed with the diluted bioactive composition.
EXAMPLES 285
Bacterial MIC Study
[0149] A study was conducted to determine the minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) of the MI2 acid solution, i.e., 200 ppm of each
of silver, copper and zinc metal (see Examples 72-79). Three
different bacteria were evaluated, Clavibacter michiganese,
Pseudomonas syringae and Erwinia amylovora, each in a different
growth medium appropriate for that bacteria, namely brain infusion
agar/broth, nutrient agar/broth, and nutrient glucose agar/broth,
respectively. In conducting the test, three sets of 10 test tubes
were prepared, one set for each bacteria, and labeled 1 to 10. 0.5
ml of the appropriate broth was placed in each of test tubes 2
through 10. Then 0.5 ml of the MI2 solution was added to each of
test tubes 1 and 2. 0.5 ml of the contents of test tube 2 was then
transferred to test tube 3 and then 0.5 ml of test tube 3 to test
tube 4 and so on to test tube 9. 0.5 ml or test tube 9 was
discarded. A 0.5 ml suspension of each bacteria to be tested was
then added to each of the ten tubes for that series and the tubes
incubated for 24 hours at 26.degree. C. Because the acid solution
caused considerable cloudiness of the tubes to which it was added,
macroscopic evaluation was not possible. Instead, each tube was
subcultured onto corresponding agar plates. The observed growth was
as indicated in Table 18 (a "+" indicates visual growth and a "-"
no growth).
TABLE-US-00031 TABLE 18 Test Tube 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Metals
concentration* (ppm) 200 50 25 12.5 6.75 3.125 1.56 0.782 0.391
0.195 C. michiganese - - - - - - + + + + P. syringae - - - - - + +
+ + + E. amylovora - - - - - - + + + + *concentration of each
metal, the total metal content is 3 time the number presented.
[0150] Based on the results presented in Table 18, the MIC of MI2
is 3.125 ppm for C. michiganese and for E. amylovora and 6.75 ppm
for P. syringae. The bioefficacy of such low levels are anticipated
to show synergy when combined with conventional
fungicides/bactericides for these target organisms
EXAMPLE 286
Alternaria Leaf Spot
[0151] To demonstrate the efficacy of the bioactive compositions on
live plants, a comparative study was conducted comparing the
efficacy of a bioactive composition according to the present
invention to two commercial products, Eagle 40WP, a myclobutanil
based (40 wt %) fungicide available from Dow AgroSciences LLC of
Indianapolis, Ind., USA, and Scala SC, a pyrimethanil based (54.6
wt %) fungicide available from Bayer CropScience LP of Research
Triangle Park, N.C., USA. Additional evaluations were conducted to
assess the potential for synergy between the inventive bioactive
compositions and Eagle 40WP. The bioactive composition according to
the present invention comprised a 16% aqueous citric acid solution
having dissolved therein silver citrate, copper citrate, and zinc
citrate in an amount to provide 200 ppm of each metal in the
solution, 0.25% sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and 0.32% sodium lauryl
sulfate (MI6). This solution was diluted at rates of 40:1 and 20:1
for application to the plants thereby providing a solution
containing .about.5 ppm and .about.10 ppm of each metal as
sprayed.
[0152] Piffosporum tobira "Wheeleri" rooted cuttings were planted
in standard 4 inch pots containing Sunshine Mix No. 1 and
fertilized with 1/2 tsp. Osmocote Plus 15-9-12. The plants were
placed in a heated greenhouse with poly and shade cloth covering
the top and sides and flood irrigated as needed. After 44 days, the
plants were treated with the various antifungal treatments--12
plants were treated with each treatment. Thereafter, the plants
were placed in individual clear plastic bags (high humidity) in the
greenhouse for the duration of the study. The plants were irrigated
from below using an ebb and flood bench to assure no water
application to their leaves during the trial. The plants were
subsequently inoculated by spraying with a spore suspension of a
culture of Alternaria pittospori mixed with sterilized water 4 days
following the initial treatment. The treatments were reapplied 7
days and 17 days following inoculation. All treatments were applied
by spray until the surfaces of the plant leaves were fully wetted
(began to drip). Two sets of plants were used as positive and
negative controls: the first set was treated with water only
(Treatment A) and not inoculated. The second set was also treated
with water only, but was also inoculated concurrent with the
others. The specific formulations for each of the treatments were
as set forth in Table 19.
TABLE-US-00032 TABLE 19 Treatment Composition Dilution A Water -
noninoculated B Water - inoculated C MI6 6.25 ml/250 ml water D MI6
12.5 ml/250 ml water E MI6/Eagle 40WP 6.25 ml/250 ml water// 1.5
oz/100 gal water F MI6/Eagle 40WP 6.25/250 ml water// 3.0 oz/100
gal water G MI6/Eagle 40 WP 12.5 ml/250 ml water// 1.5 oz/100 gal
water H Eagle 40 WP 1.5* oz/100 gal water I Eagle 40WP 3.0 oz/100
gal water J Scala 9.0* oz/100 gal water *manufacturer recommended
application rates
[0153] Six days following the second treatment, the plants were
evaluated for Alternaria leaf spot by visual inspection. The
results of the leaf spot evaluation were as presented in Table 20.
As seen in Table 20, those plants treated with the lowest
concentration of the bioactive composition (with .about.5 ppm of
each metal ion--Treatment C) still showed nearly a 50% drop in leaf
spot formation. Doubling the bioactive composition (.about.10 ppm
of each metal ion--Treatment D) reduced leaf spot by over 75%.
Somewhat similar results were found with the two dilutions of the
commercial fungicide Eagle 40WP with the lower concentration
(Treatment H) reducing leaf spot by about 30% while the higher
concentration (Treatment I) reduced leaf spot by 80%. Combining the
two provided marked improvement with, oddly enough, the combination
of the two lowest concentrations providing nearly complete
inhibition of leaf spot manifestation. The other commercial
fungicide Scala SC provided no inhibition and, appeared to promote
the manifestation of leaf spot.
TABLE-US-00033 TABLE 20 Treat- Plant No. ment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 Mean A. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 B. 4 5 0 15 35 20 40 15
10 25 30 20 18.2 C. 0 0 0 0 0 5 35 35 40 0 0 0 9.6 D. 0 1 0 0 5 0 0
0 0 5 10 30 4.2 E. 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 0 0.5 F. 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0
0 5 10 0 3.3 G. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 10 0 0 0 2.1 H. 0 0 0 5 10 0 30 35
40 10 10 15 12.9 I. 2 0 0 0 0 0 10 25 5 0 0 0 3.5 J. 25 25 10 5 15
25 30 0 40 40 40 20 22.9
[0154] Eleven days following the last treatment, disease severity
was once again assessed. However, owing to the number of spots
which made giving a numerical assessment impossible, disease
severity was recorded using the following scale: 1-1--no disease,
2--slight, 3--moderate, 4--severe to 5--plant dead. The results are
presented in Table 21.
TABLE-US-00034 TABLE 21 Treat- Plant No. ment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 Mean A. 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.1 a B. 2.5 2.5 1 4 3.5 3 4
2 2 3 3 3.5 2.8 c C. 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2.5 2.5 2 2 1 1.6 a D. 1 1 2 1 2
1 1 1 1 1 2 2.5 1.4 a E. 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1.2 a F. 1 2 2 1 1
1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1.3 a G. 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1.2 a H. 2 2 1 2.5 2
2 2.5 3 3 2 2.5 2.5 2.2 b I. 2.5 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1.7 a J. 3.5
4 3 3 3 4 3.5 2.5 4 4 4 4 3.5 d
[0155] As shown in Table 21, the bioactive compositions according
to the present invention provided excellent protection against leaf
spot, with those plants treated at the higher level and in
combination with the commercial fungicide Eagle 40WP showing nearly
the same level of disease as those that had not been inoculated at
all. On the contrary, the Eagle alone, even at the recommended
application rate, proved less efficacious than the bioactive
composition. Finally, the Scala once again failed to show any
efficacy and, in fact, proved more detrimental. It was suspected
that the Scala treated plants manifested both leaf spot disease and
phytotoxicity. None of the plants treated with the bioactive
composition or the commercial Eagle fungicide showed evidence of
phytotoxicity.
EXAMPLE 287
Fire Blight on Crabapples
[0156] A study of the bioefficacy of the various agrichemical
compositions, including bioactive acid solutions and blends thereof
with an antibiotic agrichemical, were evaluated to assess their
bioefficacy against fire blight on crabapples. The study was
conducted on 5 year old Snow Drift crabapple trees, with each of
the compositions being applied to ten trees in two-subplots of five
trees, four different times: at 100% bloom--day 1, a second
application was made on day 4, a third on day 11 and a final
treatment on day 19. The trees were inoculated with E. amylovora
153N at a concentration of 4.times.10.sup.6 cells per milliliter on
day 1, following drying of the treatment, with the inoculation
being repeated on day 13. Evaluation for fire blight was completed
on 100 blossoms for each of the subplots on day 12, day 19 and day
27. Additionally, the incidence of shoot infection and the length
of cankers were evaluated on day 63. The results are shown in Table
22.
[0157] The test compositions were prepared by forming solutions of
the bioactive agents. Two different dilutions of the MI2 bioactive
were evaluated; the first employing 94.46 ml/gallon (25 ml/l) of
water (5 ppm of each metal) and the second 188.9 ml/gallon (50
ml/l) of water (10 ppm of each metal). A streptomycin product (17%
concentrated) was diluted at a rate of 0.049 lbs/gallon (58.72 g/l)
(200 ppm). Finally, copper hydroxide was diluted at a rate of 1
lb/gallon (119.8 g/l). Each of the compositions and blends were
spray applied at a rate of 50 gallons (189.3 l) pre acre. The
specific tests and the results attained therewith are shown in
Table 22. The results are presented as the mean of the counts.
TABLE-US-00035 TABLE 22 Shoot Rate Inci- Canker Bioactive (per
acre) Blossom Incidence dence Size (cm) Day 12 19 27 63 63
MI2.sup.a 4.723 l/a 0.2 5.5 16.5 8.8 40.0 MI2 9.445 l/a 1.7 2.2 6.0
4.8 19.8 Copper 5 lbs/a 3.1 2.2 9.0 1.0 0.0 Hydroxide.sup.b (2.27
kg/a) Streptomycin.sup.c 0.49 lb/a 1.8 4.8 3.09 1.2 0.0 MI2 +
4.723/a 1.3 1.7 4.3 1.0 26.0 Streptomycin 0.49 lbs/a Control -- 7.0
8.5 31.7 7.6 22.4 (untreated) .sup.a16% w/w aqueous citric acid
solution having dissolved therein silver citrate, copper citrate
and zinc citrate, each added in an amount to provide 200 ppm of
each metal, together with 0.25% sodium Lauroyl sarcosinate and
0.32% sodium lauryl sulfate. .sup.b53% w/w concentrated copper
hydroxide .sup.c17% w/w streptomycin
[0158] As seen in Table 22, all tested compositions showed fewer
infected flowers as compared to the control. The combination of the
MI2 acid solution with streptomycin performed better than either
bioactive alone. A significant rate response was seen between the
two MI2 compositions: the 10 ppm solution performing significantly
better than the 5 ppm solution. Shoot blight incidence was greatly
reduced for the copper hydroxide, streptomycin and streptomycin/MI2
combination and a modest improvement with the higher concentrated
solution of MI2. Only streptomycin and copper hydroxide appeared to
prevent canker, while measurable cankers were noted with all
compositions containing bioactive acid solution. Even so, these
results show a marked benefit of the bioactive acid solutions alone
or in combination with streptomycin. More importantly, it must be
noted that even at the higher concentration MI2 composition, the 10
ppm of each metal, a total of 30 ppm metals, pales in comparison to
the more than 50,000 ppm copper in the copper hydroxide solution.
In essence, each application of the copper hydroxide release almost
1000 g or Copper into the environment compared to less than 2 grams
or any one metal released by higher concentration MI2
composition.
[0159] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to the foregoing specific embodiments and examples, it
should be appreciated that other embodiments utilizing the concept
of the present invention are possible without departing from the
scope of the invention. The present invention is defined by the
claimed elements and any and all modifications, variations, or
equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the underlying
principles.
* * * * *