Masking agent for agrichemicals
View Patent ↗Objectionable odors from agrichemicals can be masked by adding one or more terpene or their oxygenated derivatives to the formulation before, during, or after application. A particularly preferred formulation is a granulated insecticide that includes an insecticidal amount of a phosphoroamido(di)thioate in solid form, a polymeric binder, a small amount of an anticking aid, and a masking agent containing an essential oil that is either mixed throughout the granule or sprayed onto its surface. The essential oil masks objectionable odors from the active ingredient without adversely affecting the storage stability or efficacy of the active ingredient.
1. An agrichemically effective solid formulation in powder or granular form and comprising:
a. sulfur-containing active ingredient solids in an agrichemically effective amount, wherein said active ingredient solids emit volatile sulfur-based odors that are objectionable to human perception,
b. 0-90 wt % of an aromatic solvent for said active ingredient, and
c. about 0.01 to 2 wt % of a masking agent comprising a terpene or oxygenated derivative thereof in an amount sufficient to reduce human perception of objectionable odors from said sulfur-containing active ingredient solids.
2. A formulation according to claim 1 wherein said active ingredient comprises phosphoroamido(di)thioate solids.
3. A formulation according to claim 1 wherein said active ingredient solids comprise acephate and where the masking agent is a lemon essential oil having a lemon fragrance, wherein said essential oil is present in an amount of about 0.05 to 1 wt %.
4. A formulation according to claim 1 wherein said masking agent comprises citral, camphor, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, terpineol or limonene.
5. A formulation according to claim 1 wherein said masking agent comprises an essential oil.
6. A formulation according to claim 5 wherein said essential oil smells like a citrus fruit.
7. A formulation according to claim 6 wherein said essential oil smells like lemon, lime, or a combination of lemon and lime.
8. A formulation according to claim 5 wherein said essential oil has been synthesized.
9. A formulation according to claim 1 wherein said formulation further comprises a binder.
10. A formulation according to claim 9 wherein said binder is a polymer.
11. A formulation according to claim 10 wherein said binder comprises a polyalkylene oxide.
12. A formulation according to claim 11 wherein said binder comprises a polyethylene oxide.
13. An insecticidally effective formulation in powder or granular form and comprising:
a. about 1 to 99.5 wt % of phosphoroamido(di)thioate solids in an insecticidally effective amount, wherein said solids emit odors that are objectionable to human perception, and
b. about 0.01 to 2 wt % of a masking agent comprising a terpene or oxygenated derivative thereof in an amount sufficient to reduce human perception of objectionable odors from said formulation.
14. An insecticidally effective formulation according to claim 13 wherein said masking agent comprises citral, camphor, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, terpineol or limonene.
15. A formulation according to claim 13 wherein said masking agent comprises lemon essential oil.
16. A formulation according to claim 15 wherein said essential oil smells like citrus fruit.
17. A formulation according to claim 16 wherein said essential oil smells like lemon, lime, or a combination of lemon and lime.
18. A formulation according to claim 15 wherein said essential oil has been synthesized.
19. A formulation according to claim 13 wherein said formulation further comprises a binder.
20. A formulation according to claim 19 wherein said binder is a polymer.
21. A formulation according to claim 20 wherein said binder comprises a polyalkylene oxide.
22. A formulation according to claim 21 wherein said binder comprises a polyethylene oxide.
23. A formulation according to claim 19 wherein said essential oil has been sprayed onto a granule comprising said phosphoroamido(di)thioate solids and said binder.
24. A formulation according to claim 19 wherein said essential oil has been admixed with said phosphoroamido(di)thioate solids and said binder and extruded to form a solid granule.
25. An agrichemically effective formulation comprising:
a. about 75 to 99 wt % acephate,
b. a polymeric binder for said active ingredient, wherein said binder comprises a polyalkylene oxide,
c. 0-90 wt % of an aromatic solvent for said active ingredient,
d. about 0.05 to 1 wt % of a masking agent comprising a lemon essential oil to reduce human perception of objectionable odors from said acephate.
26. A formulation according to claim 1 , wherein said sulfur-containing active ingredient is an extruded solid having less than 5 wt % water, and said masking agent is coated onto said extruded solid.
27. A formulation according to claim 26 , wherein said masking agent is sprayed onto said extruded solid and where the masking agent is anhydrous.
28. An agrichemically effective formulation of claim 25 , wherein said agrichemically effective ingredient, polymeric binder and aromatic solvent are an extruded solid, and where said masking agent is coated on said extruded solid by spraying.