Delivery of bioactive molecules in protective coatings of surface layers of organically enhanced inorganic fertilizers
The invention is directed to fertilizers and manufacturing methods using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules that incorporate a coating of one or more layers containing a bioactive agent in a carrier. The bioactive agent may be an herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Manufacture of conventional fertilizers involves stresses such as pH, heat, and pressure that are overcome by providing a protective carrier that facilitates and extends functional survival/effectiveness. Many carriers, such as liquefied dried milk, bind actively to the granule surface and contribute to the total carbon base. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the fertilizer granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.
1 . A fertilizer granule comprising:
a nutrient core having
a matrix of organic molecules; and
inorganic nutrients bound to the organic molecules;
a coating having a first layer including a carrier compound comprising a milk-based substance; and
a bioactive agent extending between the nutrient core and the coating; and
a second layer free of bioactive agents that comprises an oil, a wax, or their combination consisting of a paraffin wax, oil-based amide, or tall oil.
2 . The fertilizer granule of claim 1 , wherein the bioactive agent is ionically bound to the organic molecules of the matrix.
3 . The fertilizer granule of claim 1 , wherein the bioactive agent is anchored via electrostatic charges.
4 . The fertilizer granule of claim 1 , wherein the bioactive agent binds both the nutrient core and the carrier compound.
5 . The fertilizer granule of claim 1 , wherein the bioactive agent penetrates within about 50 to 400 μm of the nutrient core, as measured from the nutrient core surface.
6 . The fertilizer granule of claim 1 , wherein the carrier compound further includes one or more of agar, almond flour, amaranth flour, aquafaba, synthetic egg white, buckwheat flour, chickpea flour, cocoa flour, corn starch, cream, liquefied or non-liquefied dry milk powder, egg white, gelatin, gluten, guar gum, lignosulfonate, liquid glucose, microcrystalline cellulose, nut butter, polyacrylamides, potato starch, povidone, poly vinylacetate, sorghum flour, soy flour, soy powder, spoiled milk, tapioca, teff flour, wheat flour, whey, and xanthan gum.
7 . The fertilizer granule of claim 1 , wherein the bioactive agent includes an herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, fungicide, microorganism, enzyme, nutrient, plant hormone, plant growth regulator, or their combination.
8 . The fertilizer granule of claim 1 , wherein the milk-based substance includes liquefied or non-liquefied dry milk powder, spoiled milk, or whey.
9 . A solid particulate fertilizer comprising:
an inner nutrient core having
an organic material portion and
an inorganic portion; and
an outer coating layer comprising an oil, a wax, or their combination consisting of a paraffin wax, oil-based amide, or tall oil, surrounding the inner nutrient core, having
a carrier compound including a flour-based substance and
a bioactive agent, the bioactive agent being anchored in the inner nutrient core to the organic material portion, inorganic portion, or both.
10 . The solid particulate fertilizer of claim 9 , further comprising an additional outer coating layer comprising a non-polymeric wax or oil, the additional outer coating layer being free of a bioactive agent.
11 . The solid particulate fertilizer of claim 9 , wherein the bioactive agent is bound to the carrier compound via electrostatic charges.
12 . The solid particulate fertilizer of claim 9 , wherein the carrier compound further includes one or more of agar, aquafaba, synthetic egg white, corn starch, cream, liquefied or non-liquefied dry milk powder, egg white, gelatin, gluten, guar gum, lignosulfonate, liquid glucose, microcrystalline cellulose, nut butter, polyacrylamides, potato starch, povidone, poly vinylacetate, spoiled milk, tapioca, whey, or xanthan gum.
13 . The solid particulate fertilizer of claim 9 , wherein the bioactive agent includes an herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, fungicide, microorganism, enzyme, nutrient, plant hormone, plant growth regulator, or their combination.
14 . The fertilizer granule of claim 9 , wherein the flour-based substance includes almond flour, amaranth flour, buckwheat flour, chickpea flour, cocoa flour, sorghum flour, soy flour, soy powder, teff flour, or wheat flour.