Biodegradable controlled release amylaceous material matrix
AssigneesGoodman Fielder Limited, Incitec Limited
InventorsAdrian Timothy Knight, Thomas Peter Anderson, Mirsad Ahmet Ahmetagic
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Abstract
A biodegradable or digestible matrix is provided suitable for use as a controlled release of an agriculturally active agent such as insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers, plant growth regulants, etc. The matrix comprises an amylaceous material optionally in association with a synthetic polymer and is formed under elevated temperature and pressure.
Claims49
A method for manufacture of a biodegradable matrix shape for use in connection with the controlled release delivery of an agriculturally active agent, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a composition comprising an amylaceous material having an amylose content of at least 50% w/w and water, said water being present in an amount of from about 2 to about 30% w/w, said amylaceous material selected from the group consisting of amylose, waxy maize starch, wheat starch, tapioca starch, pea starch and combinations thereof,
- (b) heating said composition to a temperature of no more than about 150.degree. C. at a pressure of no more than about 4000 psi to form a uniform hot melt from said composition without destructurising said amylaceous material within said composition, and
- (c) forming said hot melt into a desired matrix shape,
- incorporating said agriculturally active agent is incorporated in said composition in steps (a) or (b) or within said matrix shape produced in step (c),
- optionally incorporating within said composition of steps (a) or (b) a filler in an amount of less than about 95% by weight and a plasticizer in an amount of up to about 20% by weight, and further optionally incorporating a synthetic polymer in an amount of up to about 90% by weight within said composition of steps (a) or (b) or within said matrix shape produced in step (c).
A controlled release biodegradable composition comprising a matrix of an amylaceous material in combination with an agriculturally active agent, said matrix formed by
- (a) providing a composition comprising an amylaceous material having an amylose content of at least 50% w/w and water, said water being present in an amount of from about 2 to about 30% w/w, said amylaceous material selected from the group consisting of amylose, waxy maize starch, wheat starch, tapioca starch, pea starch and combinations thereof,
- (b) heating said composition to a temperature of no more than about 150.degree. C. at a pressure of no more than about 4000 psi to form a uniform hot melt from said composition without destructurising said amylaceous material, and
- (c) forming said hot melt into said matrix,
- and said agriculturally active agent subject to controlled release and selected from the group consisting of acaricides, insecticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, plant growth regulants, fertilizers, trace nutrients, biological control agents and combinations thereof, said matrix optionally comprising up to about 90% by weight of a synthetic polymer, up to about 20% by weight of a plasticizer and up to about 95% by weight of a filler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.