PHITOSTEROLS SUSPENSION CONCENTRATES AND PROCESS OF PREPARATION THEREOF

Abstract

Concentrated suspensions containing phytosterols are described, in an amount higher than 25% by weight, in addition to a process for their preparation and their relative use as stimulants of plant growth.

Claims

1-4. (canceled)

5. A concentrated suspension comprising: a) a phytosterol mixture of beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and brassicasterol, in an amount higher than 25% by weight with respect to the total weight of the concentrated suspension, wherein beta-silosterol is present in an amount ranging from 40% to 45% by weight with respect to the total weight of the mixture of phytosterols, the campesterol is present in an amount ranging from 20% to 25% by weight with respect to the total weight of the mixture of phytosterols, the stigmasterol is present in an amount ranging from 20% to 30% by weight with respect to the total weight of the mixture of phytosterols and the brassicasterol is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 5% by weight with respect to the total weight of the mixture of phytosterols: b) one or more wetting agents in an amount ranging from 1% to 5% by weight with respect to the total weight of the concentrated suspension; c) one or more dispersing agents in an amount ranging from 1% to 5% by weight with respect to the total weight of the concentrated suspension.

6. (canceled)

7. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein the beta-sitosterol is present in an amount equal to about 43% by weight, the campesterol is present in an amount equal to about 24% by weight, the stigmasterol is present in an amount equal to about 26% by weight and the brassicasterol is present in an amount equal to about 2% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the mixture of phytosterols.

8. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein one or more wetting agents are selected from non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

9. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein one or more dispersing agents are selected from non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

10. A method of stimulating plant growth comprising applying the concentrated suspension according to claim 5.

11. A method for stimulating plant growth in cultivated areas, comprising applying effective and non-phytotoxic doses of a concentrated suspension according to claim 5, on any part of the plant.

12. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein the phytosterol mixture of beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and brassicasterol is in an amount ranging from 26% to 40% by weight of the concentrated suspension.

13. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein the phytosterol mixture of beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and brassicasterol is in an amount ranging from 26% to 35% by weight with respect to the total weight of the concentrated suspension.

14. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein the one or more wetting agents is in an amount ranging from 2% to 4% by weight with respect to the total weight of the concentrated suspension.

15. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein the one or more wetting agents is in an amount equal to about 3% by weight with respect to the total weight of the concentrated suspension.

16. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein the one or more dispersing agents is in an amount ranging from 1.5% to 3% by weight with respect to the total weight of the concentrated suspension.

17. The suspension according to claim 5, wherein the one or more dispersing agents is equal to about 2% by weight with respect to the total weight of the concentrated suspension.

18. The suspension according to claim 8, wherein the one or more wetting agents are anionic surfactants.

19. The suspension according to claim 9, wherein the one or more dispersing agents are anionic surfactants.

20. The method according to claim 10, wherein the suspension is applied by leaf application of the suspension to the plant, application of the suspension to soil by fertigation, incorporation of the suspension into soil, seed tanning with the suspension, or combinations thereof.

Description

EXAMPLE 1

[0054]

TABLE-US-00001 Components % (by weight) Mixture of phytosterols 31.6 Antifoam agent 1 Biocide  0.09 Imbirol OT/Na 70  3 Supragil MNS 88 2 Water 62.31 TOTAL 100

[0055] The mixture of phytosterols refers to the mixture of beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and brassicasterol, previously indicated as the preferred mixture: the beta-sitosterol is present in an amount equal to about 43% by weight, the campesterol is present in an amount equal to about 24% by weight, the stigmasterol is present in an amount equal to about 26% by weight and the brassicasterol is present in an amount equal to about 2% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the mixture of phytosterols.

[0056] The antifoam agent is a polydimethylsiloxane.

[0057] The biocide is 2,2′,2″-(hexahydro-1,3,5-triazin-1,3,5-triyl)triethanol.

[0058] Imbirol OT/Na 70 corresponds to the sodium salt of a dialkylsulfosuccinate.

[0059] Supragil MNS 88 corresponds to the sodium salt of methylnaphthalenesulfonic acid.

EXAMPLE 2

[0060]

TABLE-US-00002 Component % (by weight) Mixture of phytosterols 31.6 Antifoam agent 1 Biocide 0.09 Imbirol OT/Na 70 3 Supragil MNS 90 2 Water 62.31 TOTAL 100

[0061] The mixture of phytosterols refers to the mixture of beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and brassicasterol, previously indicated as the preferred mixture: the beta-sitosterol is present in an amount equal to about 43% by weight, the campesterol is present in an amount equal to about 24% by weight, the stigmasterol is present in an amount equal to about 26% by weight and the brassicasterol is present in an amount equal to about 2% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the mixture of phytosterols.

[0062] The antifoam agent is a polydimethylsiloxane.

[0063] The biocidc is 2,2′,2″-(hexahydro-1,3,5-triazin-1,3,5-triyl)triethanol.

[0064] Imbirol OT/Na 70 corresponds to the sodium salt of a dialkylsulfosuccinate.

[0065] Supragil MNS 90 corresponds to the sodium salt of methylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, polymer with formaldehyde.

EXAMPLE 3

[0066]

TABLE-US-00003 Component % (by weight) Mixture of phytosterols 31.6 Antifoam agent 1 Biocide 0.09 Imbirol OT/Na 70 3 Vanisperse CB 2 Water 62.31 TOTAL 100

[0067] The mixture of phytosterols refers to the mixture of beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and brassicasterol, previously indicated as the preferred mixture: the beta-sitosterol is present in an amount equal to about 43% by weight, the campesterol is present in an amount equal to about 24% by weight, the stigmasterol is present in an amount equal to about 26% by weight and the brassicasterol is present in an amount equal to about 2% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the mixture of phytosterols.

[0068] The antifoam agent is a polydimethylsiloxane.

[0069] The biocide is 2,2′,2″-(hexahydro-1,3,5-triazin-1,3,5-triyl)triethanol.

[0070] Imbirol OT/Na 70 corresponds to the sodium salt of a dialkylsulfosuccinate Vanisperse CB corresponds to a sodium ligninosulfonate.

[0071] The formulations of Examples 1-3 were subjected to the accelerated stability test (according to Cipuc MT 46.1) which aims at accelerating the aging of the product by heating. This test serves to mimic the stability of a specific formulation after 2 years of storage at room temperature.

[0072] The procedure is the following: a certain quantity of formulation (for example 500 mL) is inserted in a hermetically closed container which is left in an oven at 54° C. for 14 days. After this period of time, the container is removed from the oven and is left to return to room temperature. It is then verified that the formulation has not undergone phase separation or other phenomena of physical instability such as flocculation, aggregation or crystalline growth.

EXAMPLE 4

[0073] Pea Test Application to the Soil Production Evaluation

[0074] The effect on the final production of dwarf pea plants of two formulations CS at 31.6%, one containing the formulation of Example 1 and the other the same formulation not ground, was evaluated after application to the soil.

[0075] Seeds of “Meraviglia d′Italia” dwarf peas were sown in pots having a diameter of 15 cm, suitably filled with a mixture of earth and soil previously sterilized. The first treatment was carried out 12 days after sowing, pouring a quantity of 400 g/ha of formulation at the collar of the plant. Each pot contained 5 seedlings and there were 4 replicas for each thesis. The plants were kept in a greenhouse, at a temperature of 24° C. during the day and 18° C. overnight, photoperiod: 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. A total of 4 treatments were carried out during the experiment, at 10-day intervals.

[0076] The final survey provided for the evaluation of the number of pods that had not yet readied maturity, the number of ripe pods, the number of seeds contained in them and their dry weight. The flowers still present on the plant at the time of harvesting were also counted.

TABLE-US-00004 Average Nr. Average Nr. Average Nr. Average DRY WT. of RIPE of UNRIPE Average Nr. PRODUCTS of FLOWERS OF SEEDS* SEEDS SEEDS of SEEDS UTC 1.25 1.04 3.50 4.25 5.00 CS 31.6% NOT ground 1.00 1.78 6.00 0.50 9.50 Formulat. Exa. 1 1.00 3.05 6.50 0.75 14.00

[0077] The results obtained showed the positive effect of the two formulations which induced the maturation of a greater number of pods with a consequent increase in the number of seeds produced. Between the two formulations tested, that containing the ground technical product according to the invention gave the best results.

EXAMPLE 5

[0078] Cucumber Test Application to the Soil Evaluation of the Plant Vigour

[0079] The effect on the biomass of cucumber plants of two formulations CS at 31.6%. one containing the formulation of Example 1 and the other the same formulation not ground, was evaluated after application to the soil.

[0080] “Long China” cucumber seedlings were transplanted at the stage of 2 real leaves, in pots having a diameter of 11 cm, suitably filled with a mixture of earth and soil previously sterilized. The treatment was carnal out the day after the transplantation, pouring a quantity of formulation equal to a dose of 400 g/ha at the collar of the plant. Each pot contained 1 seedling and 5 replicas were present for each thesis. The plants were kept in an air-conditioned cell, at a temperature of 24° C., photoperiod: 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. The final survey provided for the evaluation of the fresh weight of the green biomass, carried out two weeks after the transplantation.

TABLE-US-00005 Average WEIGHT WEIGHT sum PRODUCTS (g) (g) UTC 13.55 67.74 Formulation of Example 1 14.59 72.95 CS 31.6% NOT ground 12.53 62.64

[0081] The results obtained showed the positive effect of the formulation containing the ground technical product according to the present invention: the plants treated with this product, in fact, had a more developed biomass with respect to the blank and the formulation containing the non-ground technical product.

EXAMPLE 6

[0082] Cucumber Test Leaf Application Evaluation of the Plant Vigour

[0083] The effect on the biomass of cucumber plants of two formulations CS at 31.6%. one containing the formulation of Example 1 and the other the same formulation not ground, was evaluated after application to the leaves.

[0084] “Long China” cucumber seedlings were transplanted at the stage of 2 real leaves, in pots having a diameter of 11 cm, suitably filled with a mixture of earth and soil previously sterilized. The treatment was carnal out the day after the transplantation, spraying the leaves with a quantity of 6 g/hl, using a sprayer machine. Each pot contained 1 seedling and 5 replicas were present for each thesis. The plants were kept in an air-conditioned cell, at a temperature of 24° C, photo period: 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness.

[0085] 2 treatments were carried out during the experiment, at 5-day intervals.

[0086] The final survey provided for the evaluation of the fresh weight of the green biomass, carried out two weeks after the transplantation.

TABLE-US-00006 Average WEIGHT WEIGHT sum PRODUCTS (g) (g) UTC 15.18 75.9 CS 31.6% NOT ground 16.214 81.07 Formulation Example 1 16.838 84.19

[0087] The results obtained showed the positive effect of the formulation containing the ground technical product according to the present invention, also when applied via the leaves: the plants treated with this product, in fact, had a more developed biomass with respect to the blank and the formulation containing the non-ground technical product.