BIO-HERBICIDE BASED ON ESSENTIAL OIL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition comprising at least one essential oil as an active compound, at least one surfactant and at least one oily substance, said composition being under the form of an emulsion.

Claims

1. Herbicidal composition comprising at least one essential oil as an active compound, at least one surfactant and at least one oily substance, said composition being under the form of an emulsion.

2. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said composition under the form of an emulsion presents droplets having a droplet size inferior to 15 μm.

3. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, in that said at least one oily substance is a vegetable oil or a derivate of a vegetable oil chosen from the group consisting of the fatty esters obtained by esterification or transesterification of vegetable oils, fatty amides obtained by amidification or transamidification of vegetable oils and mixtures thereof, or mixtures thereof.

4. Herbicidal composition according to claim 3, characterized in that said vegetable oil is chosen from the group consisting of hazelnut oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, pistachio oil, olive oil, almond oil, sweet almond oil, peanut oil, canola oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, corn oil, grape-seed oil, sesame oil and mixtures thereof.

5. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one essential oil is chosen from the group consisting of cinnamon essential oil, citronella essential oil, lemon essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil and mixtures thereof.

6. Herbicidal composition according to claim 5, characterized in that said cinnamon essential oil is obtained from the plant Cinnamomun zeylanicum or from the plant Cinnamomun cassia or from the plant Cinnamomun talama or from the plant Cinnamomun aromaticum or from the plant Cinnamomun glaucescens or from the plant Cinnamomun camphora.

7. Herbicidal composition according to claim 5, characterized in that said citronella essential oil is obtained from the plant Cymbopogon winterianus or from the plant Cymbopogon flexuosus.

8. Herbicidal composition according to claim 5, characterized in that said eucalyptus essential oil is obtained from the plant Eucalyptus citriodora or from the plant Eucalyptus globulus or from the plant Eucalyptus radiata.

9. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one surfactant is a natural surfactant chosen from the group consisting of lecithin, casein, saponines and mixtures thereof.

10. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one surfactant presents a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value comprised between 5 and 10.

11. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, further including an antioxidant agent chosen from the group consisting of tocopherol, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, citric acid and mixtures thereof.

12. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, further including at least one solvent chosen from the group consisting of water, alcohols, ketones, esters, ethers, polyols, ethyl acetate, propylene carbonate, acetonitrile and mixtures thereof.

13. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, further including at least one co-surfactant being a low molecular weight alcohol from methanol to butanol and mixtures thereof.

14. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition is under the form of capsulates, in particular under the form of nano- or micro-capsulates, liquids or concentrates.

15. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that all components are bio-based components.

16. (canceled)

17. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said composition under the form of an emulsion presents droplets having a droplet size between 0.1 μm and 10 μm.

18. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said composition under the form of an emulsion presents droplets having a droplet size between 3 μm and 4 μm.

19. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one surfactant presents a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value between 7 and 9.

20. Herbicidal composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one surfactant presents a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value equal to 8.

21. A method comprising: applying the composition according to claim 1 to at least one of a part of a plant, a seed or soil; and obtaining phytotoxic activity including at least one of: (a) inhibiting or preventing seed germination, (b) inhibiting or preventing resumption of underground or aerial meristem and bud development, or (c) inhibiting or preventing at least one of: (1) development and growth of roots, (2) development and growth of hypocotyls, (3) development and growth of epicotyls, (4) development and growth of plantlets, or (5) development and growth of aerial parts of the plant.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] These and further aspects of the invention will be explained in greater detail by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0069] FIG. 1 shows the remaining quantity (% weight) on a support over time of a composition according to the invention comprising an oily substance (with FS) in comparison with a composition not comprising an oily substance (without FS);

[0070] FIG. 2 shows the germination rate (%) of different seeds (carrot, chamomile, clover and plantain) treated with two different compositions according to the invention (HE1 and HE2);

[0071] FIG. 3 shows the toxicity score measured on Bryophyte seven days after treatment with two different compositions according to the invention (HE1 and HE2);

[0072] FIG. 4 shows the toxicity score measured on Pterydophyte (Equisetum arvense) seven days after treatment with two different compositions according to the invention (HE1 and HE2);

[0073] FIG. 5 shows the lost percentage (%) measured on crimson clover 7 days after treatment with different compositions according to the invention;

[0074] FIG. 6 shows the lost percentage (%) measured on crimson clover 7 days after treatment with different compositions according to the invention;

[0075] FIG. 7 shows the lost percentage (%) measured on grass 7 days after treatment with different compositions according to the invention;

[0076] FIG. 8 shows the lost percentage (%) measured on crimson clover 7 days after treatment with different compositions according to the invention;

[0077] FIG. 9 shows the lost percentage (%) measured on grass 7 days after treatment with different compositions according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Volatility of a Composition According to the Invention

[0078] In order to determine the volatility of a composition according to the invention comprising an oily substance, in comparison with a composition not containing an oily substance, the weight of 10 drops of each composition was measured every 5 minutes. In practice, 10 drops of 10 μL were put on a small piece of parafilm paper (5×5 cm). The volatility test was performed under a temperature of 20±2° C.

[0079] FIG. 1 shows the obtained results with two different compositions (see Table 1), i.e. the remaining quantity (% weight) over time of a composition according to the invention comprising an oily substance (with FS) in comparison with a composition not comprising an oily substance (without FS).

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 compositions with and without an oily substance (% w:w) Co- Oily Surfac- surfac- Essential substance tant tant oil (1) (2) (3) (4) Water With FS 3% 3% 2% 0.5% 91.5% n = 3 Without 3% 0% 2% 0.5% 94.5% n = 3 FS (1) Cinnamomum cassia (from bark) (Pranarom) (2) grape oil (Emile Noël) (3) Tween 20 ® (Sigma Aldrich) (4) ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich)

[0080] As it can be seen on FIG. 1, a composition according to the invention comprising an oily substance preserves the integrity of the composition once applied by decreasing its volatility. Indeed, higher weights were measured over time for the composition according to the invention (with FS) in comparison with a composition not comprising an oily substance (without FS). Concretely, this means that a composition according to the invention presents a longer duration of action.

Biological Tests

[0081] 1. Pre-Emergence Activity

[0082] The pre-emergence activity of compositions according to the invention was evaluated on different seeds: carrot (Daucus carota), chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata).

[0083] Filter papers in petri dishes were moistened with two different compositions according to the invention (HE1 and HE2—see Table 2) while other filter papers were moistened with water (control), before placing seeds in contact with these filter papers.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 compositions according to the invention (% w:w) Co- Oily Surfac- surfac- Essential substance tant tant oil (3) (4) (5) Water HE1 0.75% 0.75% 2% 0.5% 96% n = 5 (1) HE2 0.75% 0.75% 2% 0.5% 96% n = 5 (2) (1) HE1 = Cinnamomum cassia (from bark) (Pranarom) (2) HE2 = Cinnamomum zeylanicum (from leaves) (Pranarom) (3) grape oil (Emile Noël) (4) Tween 20 ® (Sigma Aldrich) (5) ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich)

[0084] A first evaluation of the seeds germination rate on the filter paper was performed 8 days after the placement of the petri dishes in a growth chamber at a constant temperature of 23° C. The ungerminated seeds after 7 days were transposed on water agar in petri dishes placed in a growth chamber at a constant temperature of 23° C. and a second assessment was performed 20 days later to complete the evaluation of the germination rate. A seed is considered germinated when the radicle pierces the integuments.

[0085] The obtained results are presented in FIG. 2. As it can be seen, both the compositions according to the invention HE1 (Cinnamomum cassia) and HE2 (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) totally inhibit the germination of the tested seeds: compositions according to the invention presents a pre-emergence activity.

[0086] 2. Post-Emergence Activity

Essay 1: Post-Emergence Activity on Bryophyte

[0087] In order to assess the post-emergence activity of compositions according to the invention on Bryophyte (adult stage), different compositions according to the invention (HE1 and HE2—see Table 3) were tested by spraying (100 ml/m.sup.2) on Bryophytes (adult stage). Pelargonic acid at a concentration of 30 g/L (PA) (Compo®) was used as a positive control and a composition without the active substance (essential oil) (SSA) was also tested.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 compositions tested on Bryophyte (% w:w) Co- Oily Surfac- surfac- Essential substance tant tant oil (3) (4) (5) Water HE1 3.4% 3.4% 2% 0.5% 90.7% n = 5 (1) HE2 3.4% 3.4% 2% 0.5% 90.7% n = 5 (2) SSA .sup. 0% 3.4% 2% 0.5% 94.1% n = 5 (1) HE1 = Cinnamomum cassia (from bark) (Pranarom) (2) HE2 = Cinnamomum zeylanicum (from leaves) (Pranarom) (3) grape oil (Emile Noël) (4) Tween 20 ® (Sigma Aldrich) (5) ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich)

[0088] The obtained results (toxicity score) are presented in FIG. 3. For Bryophytes, it is recognized that the score of 0 represents a healthy and undamaged plant while a score of 6 represents a dead plant. These scores were determined 7 days after treatment with the different compositions.

[0089] As it can be seen, both the compositions according to the invention HE1 (Cinnamomum cassia) and HE2 (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) resulted in a toxicity score of 6 equivalent to the score noted with the positive control (pelargonic acid): compositions according to the invention presents a post-emergence activity on Bryophyte.

Essay 2: Post-Emergence Activity on Pterydophyte

[0090] In order to assess the post-emergence activity of compositions according to the invention on Pterydophyte, the Pterydophyte Equisetum arvense (adult stage) was considered. Different compositions according to the invention (HE1 and HE2—see Table 4) were tested by spraying (100 ml/m.sup.2). Pelargonic acid at a concentration of 30 g/L (PA) (Compo®) was used as a positive control and a composition without the active substance (essential oil) (SSA) was also tested.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 compositions tested on Pterydophyte (% w:w) Co- Oily Surfac- surfac- Essential substance tant tant oil (3) (4) (5) Water HE1 3.4% 3.4% 2% 0.5% 90.7% n = 10 (1) HE2 3.4% 3.4% 2% 0.5% 90.7% n = 10 (2) SSA .sup. 0% 3.4% 2% 0.5% 94.1% n = 10 (1) HE1 = Cinnamomum cassia (from bark) (Pranarom) (2) HE2 = Cinnamomum zeylanicum (from leaves) (Pranarom) (3) grape oil (Emile Noël) (4) Tween 20 ® (Sigma Aldrich) (5) ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich)

[0091] The obtained results (toxicity score) are presented in FIG. 4. For Pterydophytes, it is recognized that the score of 4 represents a dead plant. These scores were determined 7 days after treatment with the different compositions.

[0092] As it can be seen, the compositions according to the invention HE1 (Cinnamomum cassia) and HE2 (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) respectively resulted in a toxicity score of 4 and 3 equivalent to the score noted with the positive control (pelargonic acid): compositions according to the invention presents a post-emergence activity on Pterydophyte.

Essay 3: Post-Emergence Activity on Crimson Clover

[0093] The post-emergence activity of compositions according to the invention was evaluated on crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) (2-3 leaves stage). By spraying (100 ml/m.sup.2), different compositions according to the invention were tested (see Table 5). Pelargonic acid at a concentration of 30 g/L (PA) (Compo®) was used as a positive control and compositions without the active substance (essential oil) (SSA) were also tested. Water was used as a negative control. After treatment with the different compositions, plants were maintained under the following conditions: temperature of 27±3° C. and RH (Relative Humidity) of 60±5% and the post-emergence activity was evaluated 7 days after the treatment with the different compositions.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 compositions tested on crimson clover (% w:w) Co- Surfac- surfac- Essential Oily tant tant oil substance (1) (2) Water HE1, 3% Ra 3% 2% 0.5% 91.5% n = 3 Ra HE2, 3% Ra 3% 2% 0.5% 91.5% n = 3 Ra HE3, 3% Ra 3% 2% 0.5% 91.5% n = 3 Ra SSA, 0% Ra 3% 2% 0.5% 94.5% n = 3 Ra HE1, 3% No 3% 2% 0.5% 91.5% n = 3 No SSA, 0% No 3% 2% 0.5% 94.5% n = 3 No HE1, 3% Li 3% 2% 0.5% 91.5% n = 3 Li SSA, 0% Li 3% 2% 0.5% 94.5% n = 3 Li HE1 = Cinnamomum cassia (from bark) (Floressence) HE2 = Cinnamomum zeylanicum (from leaves) (Floressence) HE3 = Cymbopogon wintrerianus (Floressence) Ra = grape oil; No = hazelnut oil; Li = linseed oil (Emile Noël) (1) Tween 20 ® (Sigma Aldrich) (2) ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich)

[0094] The obtained results are presented in FIG. 5. As it can be seen, the compositions HE1, RA; HE2, RA; HE1, No and HE1, Li all presented a high post-emergence activity. In particular, the obtained results allowed to highlight the fact that different oils (RA, No and Li) can be used since similar lost percentages were noted for the essential oil HE1 when mixed with these different oil (oily substance). The presented results also demonstrated that the active substance, i.e. the essential oil, is essential for the post-emergence activity since the tests without essential oil (SSA) led to 0% lost percentage.

Essay 4: Post-Emergence Activity on Crimson Clover

[0095] The post-emergence activity of compositions according to the invention was evaluated on crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) (2-3 leaves stage). By spraying (100 ml/m.sup.2), different compositions according to the invention were tested (see Table 6) were tested. Pelargonic acid at a concentration of 30 g/L (PA) (Belchim Crop Protection) was used as a positive control as well as two other positive controls (Beloukha® and Compo®) and compositions without the active substance (essential oil) (SSA) was also tested. Water was use as a negative control. After treatment with the different compositions, plants were maintained under the following conditions: temperature of 27±3° C. and RH (Relative Humidity) of 60±5% and the post-emergence activity was evaluated 7 days after the treatment with the different compositions.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 compositions tested on crimson clover (% w:w) Co- Oily surfac- Essential substance Surfac- tant oil (1) tant (4) Water HE1 Bio 3% 3% 2% (2) 0.5% 91.5% n = 4 HE1 Bio- 3% 3% 2% (2) .sup. 0% .sup. 92% n = 4 EtOh HE1 Bio- 3% 0% 2% (2) 0.5% 94.5% n = 4 HV HE1 Bio- 3% 0% 2% (2) .sup. 0% .sup. 95% n = 4 EtOh&HV HE2 Bio 3% 3% 2% (2) 0.5% 91.5% n = 4 HE3 Bio 3% 3% 2% (2) 0.5% 91.5% n = 4 SSA Bio 0% 3% 2% (2) 0.5% 94.5% n = 4 HE1 3% 3% 2% (3) 0.5% 91.5% n = 4 HE1 = Cinnamomum cassia (from bark) (Floressence) HE2 = Cinnamomum zeylanicum (from leaves) (Floressence) HE3 = Cymbopogon wintrerianus (Floressence) (1) = grape oil (Emile Noël) (2) Soy lecithin (MP Biomedicals) (3) Tween 20 ® (Sigma Aldrich) (4) ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich)

[0096] The obtained results are presented in FIG. 6. As it can be seen, all the compositions according to the present invention were effective with at least 50% lost percentage and most of these compositions allowed to reach lost percentages equivalent to those observed with the positive controls (PA, Compo, Bel.).

[0097] It is important to note the presence of an oily substance (i.e., a vegetable oil) increased the post-emergence activity of a composition according to the present invention. Indeed, when comparing the results obtained for HE1 Bio-EtOh (essential oil+oily substance+surfactant) to the results obtained for HE1 Bio-EtOh&HV (essential oil+surfactant), it can be concluded that the oily substance enhances the post-emergence activity since the lost percentage is significantly increased with the composition Bio-EtOh (essential oil+oily substance+surfactant).

[0098] Another point is that the use of a natural surfactant (from natural origin) or of a synthetic surfactant gave different results: the use of soy lecithin as natural surfactant (HE1 Bio) instead of Tween 20® (HE1) allowed to observe a significant higher lost percentage.

Essay 5: Post-Emergence Activity on Grass

[0099] The post-emergence activity of compositions according to the invention was evaluated on grass (adult stage). By spraying (100 ml/m.sup.2), different compositions according to the invention were tested (see Table 7). Compo® at a concentration of 30 g/L (Compo) was used as a positive control and a composition without the active substance (essential oil) (SSA) was also tested. Water was used as a negative control. After treatment with the different compositions, plants were maintained under the following conditions: temperature of 27±3° C. and RH (Relative Humidity) of 60±5% and the post-emergence activity was evaluated 7 days after the treatment with the different compositions.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 compositions tested on grass (% w:w) Co- Oily surfac- Essential substance Surfac- tant oil (1) tant (4) Water HE1 Bio 3% 3% 2% (2) 0.5% 91.5% n = 4 HE1 Bio- 3% 3% 2% (2) .sup. 0% .sup. 92% n = 4 EtOh HE1 Bio- 3% 0% 2% (2) 0.5% 94.5% n = 4 HV HE1 Bio- 3% 0% 2% (2) .sup. 0% .sup. 95% n = 4 EtOh&HV HE2 Bio 3% 3% 2% (2) 0.5% 91.5% n = 4 HE3 Bio 3% 3% 2% (2) 0.5% 91.5% n = 4 SSA Bio 0% 3% 2% (2) 0.5% 94.5% n = 4 HE1 3% 3% 2% (3) 0.5% 91.5% n = 4 HE1 = Cinnamomum cassia (from bark) (Floressence) HE2 = Cinnamomum zeylanicum (from leaves) (Floressence) HE3 = Cymbopogon wintrerianus (Floressence) (1) = grape oil (Emile Noël) (2) Soy lecithin (MP Biomedicals) (3) Tween 20 ® (Sigma Aldrich) (4) ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich)

[0100] The obtained results are presented in FIG. 7. As it can be seen, all the compositions according to the present invention were effective with at least 40% lost percentage.

[0101] It is important to note the presence of an oily substance (i.e., a vegetable oil) increased the post-emergence activity of a composition according to the present invention. Indeed, when comparing the results obtained for HE1 Bio-EtOh (essential oil+oily substance+surfactant) to the results obtained for HE1 Bio-EtOh&HV (essential oil+surfactant), it can be concluded that the oily substance enhances the post-emergence activity since the lost percentage is significantly increased with the composition Bio-EtOh (essential oil+oily substance+surfactant).

[0102] Another point is that the use of a natural surfactant (from natural origin) or of a synthetic surfactant gave different results: the use of soy lecithin as natural surfactant (HE1 Bio) instead of Tween 20® (HE1) allowed to observe a significant higher lost percentage.

Essay 6: Post-Emergence Activity on Crimson Clover

[0103] The post-emergence activity of compositions according to the invention was evaluated on crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) (2-3 leaves stage). The objective of this Essay 6 was to test different vegetable oil (oily substance): rapeseed oil—Co (Everyday®); sunflower oil—To (Everyday®) and grape-seed oil—Ra (Emile Noël) in combination with three different essential oils: Cinnamomum cassia—HE1 (from bark—Floressence), Cinnamomum zeylanicum—HE2 (from leaves—Floressence) and Cymbopogon wintrerianus—HE3 (Floressence). By spraying (100 ml/m.sup.2), different compositions according to the invention were tested. Each formulation was prepared as follow: 3% of the tested essential oil (HE1 or HE2 or HE3)+3% of the tested oily substance (Co, or Ra or To)+2% Soy lecithin (MP Biomedicals) as a surfactant+0.5% ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich) as a co-surfactant+91.5% water. Compo® at a concentration of 30 g/L (Compo) was used as a positive control. Water was use as a negative control. After treatment with the different compositions, plants were maintained under the following conditions: temperature of 27±3° C. and RH (Relative Humidity) of 60±5% and the post-emergence activity was evaluated 7 days after the treatment with the different compositions.

[0104] The obtained results are presented in FIG. 8. As it can be seen, all the compositions according to the present invention were effective and allowed to reach lost percentages equivalent to those observed with the positive control. These results also show that different oily substances can be used with different essential oils in an effective way.

Essay 7: Post-Emergence Activity on Grass

[0105] The post-emergence activity of compositions according to the invention was evaluated on grass (adult stage). The objective of this Essay 7 was to test different vegetable oil (oily substance): rapeseed oil—Co (Everyday®); sunflower oil—To (Everyday®) and grape-seed oil—Ra (Emile Noel) in combination with three different essential oils: Cinnamomum cassia—HE1 (from bark—Floressence), Cinnamomum zeylanicum—HE2 (from leaves—Floressence) and Cymbopogon wintrerianus—HE3 (Floressence). By spraying (100 ml/m.sup.2), different compositions according to the invention were tested. Each formulation was prepared as follow: 3% of the tested essential oil (HE1 or HE2 or HE3)+3% of the tested oily substance (Co, or Ra or To)+2% Soy lecithin (MP Biomedicals) as a surfactant+0.5% ethanol 99.5% (Sigma Aldrich) as a co-surfactant+91.5% water. Compo® at a concentration of 30 g/L (Compo) was used as a positive control. Water was use as a negative control. After treatment with the different compositions, plants were maintained under the following conditions: temperature of 27±3° C. and RH (Relative Humidity) of 60±5% and the post-emergence activity was evaluated 7 days after the treatment with the different compositions.

[0106] The obtained results are presented in FIG. 9. As it can be seen, all the compositions according to the present invention were effective and allowed to reach lost percentages equivalent to those observed with the positive control. These results also show that different oily substances can be used with different essential oils in an effective way.

[0107] The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, which are illustrative of the invention and not to be construed as limiting. More generally, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and/or described hereinabove.

[0108] Use of the verbs “to comprise”, “to include”, “to be composed of”, or any other variant, as well as their respective conjugations, does not exclude the presence of elements other than those stated.

[0109] Use of the article “a”, “an” or “the” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.