The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation

Biotechnnology Research & Development Corporation

Baruch S Shasha

Michael R McGuire

William McKee Doane

Thomas P Abbott

Edward I Stout

Robert W Behle

Charles R Russell

Charles R Russell, Deceased

Donald Trimnell

Ronald J Prokopy

Richard L Dunkle

Xing Ping Hu

The present invention provides methods and compositions used to increase the pest resistance of living organisms. The invention especially provides adherent granules made of starch that are carriers for pest control agents. Simple and economic methods have been developed to prepare said adherent granules. Compositions and characteristics of the granules are disclosed, including their capability for sustained release of pest control agents.

Adherent starch granules

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for encapsulating biologically active agents in starch-based adherent granules. Simple and economic methods have been developed to prepare said adherent granules. Compositions and characteristics of the granules are disclosed, including their capability for sustained release of pest control agents. These methods and compositions are useful in controlling insects and other species of pests having chewing mouth parts and amylase digestive enzymes.

Methods and compositions of adherent starch granules for encapsulating

The present invention provides pest control formulations which comprise lignin as well as methods of protecting pest control agents from environmental degradation through the use of lignin. A solubilized lignin solution is prepared by mixing water, lignin, and a pH adjuster to form a solubilized lignin solution having a pH of between about 7 and about 12, preferably between about 8 and about 11, and most preferably between about 9 and about 10. The solubilized lignin solution is then used to prepare the pest control formulation by mixing with pest control agent and a multivalent salt and drying to form a dispersible formulation. The dispersible formulation is mixed with water to form the pest control formulation having resistance to solar degradation. Alternatively, the solubilized lignin solution may be used as an adjuvant by drying and later adding the dried adjuvant to pest control agent and a multivalent salt to form the pest control formulation, or by mixing directly with pest control agent and multivalent salt to form the pest control formulation. When prepared with the lignin adjuvant, the pest control formulation has improved resistance to washoff as well as resistance to solar degradation.

Lignin-based pest control formulations

The present invention is a device for delivering pesticide to pests, comprising (a) an outer layer comprising a porous water-insoluble polymeric; (b) an inner layer in contact with the outer layer, the inner layer comprising a water-soluble feeding stimulant and a carbohydrate which is at least partially gelatinized; and (c) a toxicant which is present on or in the outer layer, the inner layer, or both. The types of pests for which the device may be used to deliver pesticide are any pests which are able to be controlled by the toxicants used in the device and that can be attracted to an object to feed and/or lay eggs, such as the apple maggot fly, the Mediterranean fruit fly, the house fly, the oriental fruit fly, the blueberry fruit fly, the olive fruit fly, the melon fruit fly, and the Mexican fruit fly as well as other flies, beetles, wasps, moths, cockroaches, and any other insect that can be lured to a device for feeding or egg laying. The porous water-insoluble polymeric materials are pits, shellacs, linseed oil and other water soluble or water suspendible material that becomes insoluble upon drying. Examples of water-soluble feeding stimulants are sugary products chosen from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, fructose, molasses, maltodextrins, and corn syrup as well as corn flour, gluten or other sugary or proteinaceous and lipid materials for insects other than flies. Examples of carbohydrates are corn flour, cornstarch, wheat starch, and potato starch. Toxicants which may be used are dimethoate, phyloxine B, avermectin, azinphosmethyl, diazinon, permethrin, Imidacloprid, Malathion, Methomyl, or other insecticides available in sufficient quantity to kill insects upon feeding or alighting on the sphere. A high boiling liquid such as glycerin may optionally be added to the carbohydrate/first layer of the device to prevent cracking.

Device for controlling pests

The present invention provides a process of formulating a pest control agent into a sprayable gluten-based formulation. A gluten-based formulation for use in pest control is also provided. The present invention also provides a process of decreasing the population of a pest of a living organism comprising formulating a pest control agent into a sprayable gluten-based formulation and delivering the formulation to the external surface of the living organism.

Sprayabale gluten-based formulation for pest control

Sprayable gluten-based formulation for pest control

Sprayable, starch-based formulations for autoencapsulating biological control agents, such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses, incorporate a sugary material to promote adherence of the encapsulated agent to treated foliage. The autoencapsulated pathogens are characterized by high survivability and are useful in controlling insects and other pest species.

Adherent, autoencapsulating spray formulations of biocontrol agents

Biological control agents such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses have been encapsulated in a protective, starch matrix without the use of chemical crosslinking agents. The agent is blended into a dispersion of pregelatinized starch, which is thereafter subjected to conditions suitable for retrogradation. Dispersions can be formulated either for recovery of dry granules or as sprayable liquids. Encapsulated products are useful in controlling insects and other pest species having chewing mouth parts and amylase digestive enzymes.

Starch encapsulation of entomopathogens

Chemical biological agents to be encapsulated are dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous paste of a gel-forming polyhydroxy polymer. Subsequent addition of boric acid or a boric acid derivative at an alkaline pH converts the paste into a gel, thereby entrapping the agents in a protective matrix. Encapsulation of biologically active compositions provides a shield against hostile environments, improves safety in handling, and slows the release of such compounds to the surrounding medium. Highly volatile liquids are protected against losses by evaporation. Encapsulation also provides protection against decomposition from exposure to ultraviolet light.

Encapsulation by entrapment within polyhydroxy polymer borates

Water-insoluble chemical biological agents to be encapsulated are dispersed in an aqueous paste of a starch-containing material alkoxide. Subsequent addition of selected water-soluble alkali earth metal cations insolubilize the paste, thereby entrapping the agents in a protective matrix. Encapsulation of biologically active compositions provides a shield against hostile environments, improves safety in handling, and slows the release of such compounds to the surrounding medium. Highly volatile liquids are protected against losses by evaporation. Encapsulation also provides protection against decomposition from exposure to ultraviolet light.

Encapsulation by entrapment within starch adduct matrix

Powdered and crumb rubber are prepared by dispersing in a starch alkoxide paste appropriately sized particles of wet curd from the precipitation of a latex emulsion, and then insolubilizing the paste by treatment with select bivalent cations. The result is a starch adduct encasing the particulate elastomer, thereby preventing agglomeration and congealing upon storage.

Starch adduct encasement of particulate elastomers

Chemical biological agents to be encapsulated are dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous solution of polyhydroxy polymer xanthate. Simultaneous addition of a strong acid and a coupling agent to the solution insolubilizes the polyhydroxy polymer without degrading the xanthate moiety, thereby entrapping the agents in a protective matrix. Encapsulation of biologically active compositions provides a shield against hostile environments, improves safety in handling, and slows the release of such compounds to the surrounding medium. Highly volatile liquids are protected against losses by evaporation. Encapsulation also provides protection against decomposition from exposure to ultraviolet light.

Encapsulation by entrapment

Water-soluble and water-insoluble solid and liquid core materials are encapsulated by the same method. Core materials are simply entrapped in a matrix of water-insoluble polyhydroxy polymers which are insolubilized from their corresponding water-soluble xanthates in the presence of the core materials. Encapsulation of biologically active compositions provides a shield against hostile environments, improves safety in handling, and slows the release of such compounds to the surrounding medium. Highly volatile liquids are protected against losses by evaporation. Encapsulation also provides protection against decomposition from exposure to ultraviolet light.

A simple and selective technique for the oxidation of thiols resulted in high yields of the corresponding disulfides. The reaction is tailored so that all byproducts are either volatile or insoluble and the end product recovered easily in essentially pure form. A nonexclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license in the invention herein described, throughout the world for all purposes of the United States Government, with the power to grant sublicenses for such purposes, is hereby granted to the Government of the United States of America.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Baruch S Shasha