US4886664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low-water-activity inocula for biological control
Assignee: Rhone Poulenc SA
•
Filing: 1983-06-08
•
Granted: 1989-12-12
•
Expires: 2003-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of preparing inocula of low water activity is disclosed. The inocula are prepared by admixing microorganisms with a polymer gel and lowering and maintaining the water activity below 0.3, preferably below 0.1. These inocula are useful in the treatment of plant disease, particularly crown gall and Dutch elm diseases, as well as in the biological control of insects.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard Jung
- 👤 Jacques Mugnier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:56
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N11/00; C12N11/02; C12N11/04; A; A01; A01N; A01N63/00; A01N63/20; A01N63/27; A01N63/30; C05; C05F; C05F11/00; C05F11/08; C12N1/00; C12N1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A storage-stable inoculum useful in biological control comprising: (a) a culture medium containing: (i) a microorganism selected from the group consisting of bacteria and fungi; (ii) a hydrocarbon source selected from the group consisting of sugars, alcohols, diglycosides, polyglycosides, and polysaccharides; (iii) a mineral salt; and (iv) a nitrogen source; and (b) a cross-linked biodegradable polymer; wherein the culture medium and biodegradable polymer have been admixed, subjected to a cross-linking treatment so as to at least partially cross-link the polymer, and dried to reduce the water activity to less than 0.3, said inoculum having a long storage life greater than 100 days when stored at 28° C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A storage-stable inoculum useful in biological control comprising: (a) a culture medium containing: (i) a microorganism selected from the group consisting of bacteria and fungi; (ii) a hydrocarbon source selected from the group consisting of sugars, alcohols, diglycosides, polyglycosides, and polysaccharides; (iii) a mineral salt; and (iv) a nitrogen source; and (b) a cross-linked biodegradable polymer; wherein the culture medium and biodegradable polymer have been admixed, subjected to a cross-linking treatment so as to at least partially cross-link the polymer, and dried to reduce the water activity to less than 0.3, said inoculum having a long storage life greater than 100 days when stored at 28° C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the water activity is below 0.1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the microorganism is Agrobacterium radiobacter K 84.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the microorganism is Agrobacterium radiobacter K 84.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the microorganism is Pseudomonas syringae.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the microorganism is Pseudomonas syringae.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the microorganism is an entomopathogenic fungus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the microorganism is an entomopapthogenic fungus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inoculum of claim 7 wherein said entomoppathogenic fungus is selected from the group consisting of Beauvaria bassina, Metarhizium anisopliae, Sorosporella uvella, and Beauvaria tenella.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inoculum of claim 8 wherein said entomopathogenic fungus, is selected from the group consisting of Beauvaria bassina, Metarhizium anisopliae, Sorosporella uvella, and Beauvaria tenella.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the polymer is partially cross-linked according to a method selected from thermal treatment, treatment with a metal salt, and treatment with another polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the polymer is partially cross-linked according to a method selected from thermal treatment, treatment with a metal salt, and treatment with another polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises xanthan gum and carob bean flour.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the polymer comprises xanthan gum and carob bean flour.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the polymer is an aliginate-base polymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the polymer is an alginate-base polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the source of nitrogen is selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, lysine, arginine, glycine, glutamate, soluble corn extract, and yeast extract.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the source of nitrogen is selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, lysine, arginine, glycine, glutamate, soluble corn extract, and yeast extract.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the activity of the water is lowered by spray-drying.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the activity of the water is lowered by spray-drying.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The inoculum of claim 1 wherein the activity of the water is lowered by spray-drying followed by passage of the dried material over a fluidized bed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The inoculum of claim 2 wherein the activity of the water is lowered by spray-drying followed by passage of the dried material over a fluidized bed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The inoculum of claim 3 wherein the inoculum is provided on a support having a silica base.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The inoculum of claim 4 wherein the inoculum is provided on a support having a silica base.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The inoculum of claim 7 wherein the inoculum is provided on a support having a silica base.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The inoculum of claim 8 wherein the inoculum is provided on a support having a silica base.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The inoculum of claim 9 wherein the inoculum is provided on a support having a silica base.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The inoculum of claim 10 wherein the inoculum is provided on a support having a silica base.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The inoculum of claim 25 wherein the support comprises a precipitated silica having a BET surface area between 50 and 600 m 2 /g.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The inoculum of claim 26 wherein the support comprises a precipitated silica having a BET surface area between 50 and 600 m 2 /g.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The inoculum of claim 27 wherein the support comprises a precipitated silica having a BET surface area between 50 and 600 m 2 /g.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The inoculum of claim 28 wherein the support comprises a precipitated silica having a BET surface area between 50 and 600 m 2 /g.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The inoculum of claim 29 wherein the support comprises a precipitated silica having a BET surface area between 50 and 600 m 2 /g.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The inoculum of claim 30 wherein the support comprises a precipitated silica having a BET surface area between 50 and 600 m 2 /g.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
The inoculum of claim 1, wherein said biodegradable polymer is a polysaccharide and is partially cross-linked using a method selected from the group consisting of thermal treatment, treatment with a metal salt, and treatment with another polymer, and said water activity is lowered by spray-drying.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The inoculum of claim 37, wherein said water activity is below 0.1.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The inoculum of claim 37, said inoculum being stable for at least one year when stored at 28° C.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inoculum according to claim 1, wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of bacteria and fungi that are useful in the biological control of insects or of plan diseases.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
An inoculum according to claim 38, wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of entomopathogenic fungi.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
An inoculum according to claim 1, wherein said microorganism is Agrobacterium radiobacter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
An inoculum according to claim 38, wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of bacteria and fungi that are useful in the biological control of insects or plant diseases.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
An inoculum according to claim 38, wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Agrobacterium radiobacter, Beauvaria bassina, Pseudomonas syringae, Metarhizium anisopliae, Sorosporella uvella, and Beauvaria tenella.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of controlling plant diseases comprising applying to or near a plant an amount of a storagestable inoculum effective against crown gall disease or Dutch elm disease, said inoculum comprising: (a) a culture medium containing: (i) a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Agrobacterium radiobacter and Pseudomonas syringae; (ii) a hydrocabon source selected from the group consisting of sugars, alcohols, diglycosides, polyglycosides, and polysaccharides; (iii) a mineral salt; and (iv) a nitrogen source; and (b) a cross-linked biodegradable polymer; wherein the culture medium and biodegradable polymer have been admixed, subjeced to a cross-linking treatment so as to at least partially cross-link the polymer, and dried to reduce the water activity to less than 0.3, said inoculum having a long storage life greater than 100 days when stored at 28° C.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of controlling plant diseases comprising applying to or near a plant an amount of a storagestable inoculum effective against crown gall disease or Dutch elm disease, said inoculum comprising: (a) a culture medium containing: (i) a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Agrobacterium radiobacter and Pseudomonas syringae; (ii) a hydrocabon source selected from the group consisting of sugars, alcohols, diglycosides, polyglycosides, and polysaccharides; (iii) a mineral salt; and (iv) a nitrogen source; and (b) a cross-linked biodegradable polymer; wherein the culture medium and biodegradable polymer have been admixed, subjeced to a cross-linking treatment so as to at least partially cross-link the polymer, and dried to reduce the water activity to less than 0.3, said inoculum having a long storage life greater than 100 days when stored at 28° C.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 45, wherein said disease is crown gall disease and said microorganism is Agrobacterium radiobacter K84.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 46, wherein said water activity is below 0.1.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 45, wherein said disease is Dutch elm disease and said microorganism is Pseudomonas syringae.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 48, wherein said water activity is below 0.1.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of controlling insects in or on a plant comprising applying to or near a plant an amount of a storage-stable inoculum effective against insects, said inoculum comprising: (a) a culture medium containing: (i) a microorganism selected from the group consisting of entomopapthogenic fungi; (ii) a hydrocarbon source selected from the group consisting of sugars, alcohols, diglycosides, polyglycosides, and polysaccharides; (iii) a mineral salt; and (iv) a nitrogen source; and (b) a cross-linked biodegradable polymer; wherein the culture medium and biodegradable polymer have been admixed, subjected to a cross-linking treatment so as to at least partially cross-link the polymer, and dried to reduce the water activity to less than 0.3, said inoculum having a long storage life greater than 100 days when stored at 28° C.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of controlling insects in or on a plant comprising applying to or near a plant an amount of a storage-stable inoculum effective against insects, said inoculum comprising: (a) a culture medium containing: (i) a microorganism selected from the group consisting of entomopapthogenic fungi; (ii) a hydrocarbon source selected from the group consisting of sugars, alcohols, diglycosides, polyglycosides, and polysaccharides; (iii) a mineral salt; and (iv) a nitrogen source; and (b) a cross-linked biodegradable polymer; wherein the culture medium and biodegradable polymer have been admixed, subjected to a cross-linking treatment so as to at least partially cross-link the polymer, and dried to reduce the water activity to less than 0.3, said inoculum having a long storage life greater than 100 days when stored at 28° C.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 50, wherein said water activity is below 0.1.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 50, wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Beauvaria bassina, Metarhizium anisopliae, Sorosporella uvella, and Beauvaria tenella.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 52, wherein said water activity is below 0.1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
BE521850A
Cited
US2995867A
Cited
US1909622A
Cited
DE1029839B
Cited
FR1103676A
Cited
US2901864A
Cited
US2988455A
Cited
US3034968A
Cited
US3130121A
Cited
US3168796A
Cited
US3472644A
Cited
GB1177077A
Cited
US3822187A
Cited
US3616236A
Cited
GB1267685A
Cited
CA977178A
Cited
US3898132A
Cited
US4038140A
Cited
GB1526317A
Cited
US4146706A
Cited
US4089746A
Cited
US4155737A
Cited
GB1556584A
Cited
SU628143A1
Cited
US4155739A
Cited
US4211774A
Cited
US4202905A
Cited
US4352883A
Cited
US4434231A
Cited
US4376113A
Cited
US4342746A
Cited
FR2469861A1
Cited
EP0083267A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |