Progress 06/01/07 to 01/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Formulation chemistry: During Phase I, numerous combinations of caprylic acid or C-8 (active ingredient) and natural lecithin emulsifiers were formulated with potential organic acid synergists such as glycolic, propionic and L-lactic acid. Selection of certain acids or adjuvants was based on their potential as or known to be effective synergists for C-8 or C-9 in other types of formulations. Greenhouse trials at Michigan State University (MSU): The more promising formulations from stability trials were evaluated by MSU as candidate herbicides. Caprylic acid formulations, containing L-lactic or propionic +/- an ester of salicylate, were emulsified with one of several different lecithin products. Formulations emulsified with lecithin were compared with existing organic herbicides such as plant oil products, Matran EC and BurnOut II. Evaluation of the pre-emergent, corn gluten product was also done. Field testing of herbicides on mixed weed species by Summerdale, Inc.: The final number of replicated, field trials completed for Phase I far exceeded those planned for Phase I. This was done to more fully understand herbicide performance for numerous experimental formulations compared to commercial products, especially to establish Phase II work. That is, to evaluate possible treatment differences for a) predominant broadleaf populations versus predominantly grasses, b) stage of growth/weed heights and c) at a preliminary level, climate variation. Twenty-eight (28) independent field trials were done, beginning early May through late September, 2007. All 28 trials were repeated and results, including treatment differences and statistical analysis (ANOVA, P at 0.05), reflect data from combined, replicated trials. Weed species most commonly tested by Summerdale, Inc. were wild carrot, common dandelion, white and red clover, buckhorn plantain, birdsfoot trefoil, yellow hawkweed, brome grass and crabgrass at a height range of 3 to 20 inches. A single application of treatments ranged from 14 to 100 gpa (40 - 60 psi), where lower amounts (14 - 40 gpa) represented herbicide spray volumes/acre typically used by growers, whereas higher application volumes such as 60 - 100 gpa or approaching "spray to drip", simulated amounts likely to be applied by home consumers and by commercial and industrial users. The disparity between commercial products and C-8 formulations was more profound in the field over what was observed in greenhouse trials; i.e., C-8 formulations were far superior. Intellectual property: Summerdale, Inc. has protected significant inventions and will continue to do so. Four U.S. patents (Patent #6,218,336, #6,509,297, #6,812,190, #6,969,696 and a Chinese patent, Application No.00817831.3 (PCT/US00/28405) have been issued to Summerdale, Inc. Two applications are pending: 1) Fungicide Compositions, R. Coleman. Pub. No. US2004/0266852 A1, Dec 30, 2004, filed on July 9, 2004 and 2) Pesticide Compositions and Methods For Their Use, R. Coleman. Pub. No. US 2007/0249699 A1, Oct 25, 2007, filed June 25, 2007, a continuation-in-part of Fungicide Compositions. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Donald Penner, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 Dr. Charles Webber, USDA, ARS, South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, Lane, OK 74555 Both conducted independent field trials comparing existing commercial herbicide products and experimental formulation developed by Summerdale, Inc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Organic growers, home consumers, agricultural chemical companies and distributors PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Only a limited number of chemical control products are organically acceptable and these include contact herbicide materials such as acetic acid (in vinegar), citric acid, soap, non-synthetic plant extracts and preparations and solutions of sodium nitrate, as well as a pre-emergent material, corn gluten. Herbicides can be used for selective weed control by manipulating the timing of application or placement of material or by exploiting differences in the chemical tolerances of the crop and the target weed. Weeds that emerge before the crop can be killed or suppressed with contact herbicides (i.e., acetic acid). The efficacy of these organic-accepted herbicides is marginal at best. Currently, weed control for the organic grower can be costly, labor intensive, inefficient and has become a major issue affecting a grower's ability to be competitive especially for fruit and vegetable markets. Hence, a novel, approved method, highly effective as a non-selective herbicide treatment, will gain significant attention from organic growers, most notably if the method is shown to be consistently effective and is reasonably priced. Since caprylic acid (C-8 fatty acid) is found in mammalian systems and present in many vegetable and animal fats (i.e., an abundant fatty acid in coconut oil and at 1-4% in milk fat), C-8 appears to be a good candidate for USDA (NOP)/OMRI approval. Short chain fatty acids, such as caprylic acid, are known to be rapidly digested and absorbed in the intestinal tract. There are no chemical syntheses or modifications of C-8, nor are there chemical catalysts or any other chemicals used during any stage of caprylic acid preparation (water hydrolysis, distillation or fractional distillation) from coconut oil (Cognis, Inc.). There is a good likelihood that a herbicide formulation containing caprylic and lactic acids would have USDA (NOP)/OMRI-approval since the formulation ingredients: a) are indigenous to many foods (i.e., milk, vegetable fats) and C-8, as an even-numbered fatty acid is ubiquitous in nature (versus pelargonic or C-9), b) are FDA GRAS compounds and relatively non-toxic, c) can be directly extracted/separated from food substances such as coconut oil (C-8), d) there is no need for chemical hydrolysis or any modification processes to produce or manufacture the compounds, e) are commonly used as acidulants and flavor enhancers in the food industry and f) are used as medicinal agents for gastric ailments and indigestion (caprylic acid) while lactic and glycolic acids are found in skin creams
Publications
- 1. Coleman, R.D. and D. Penner. Fatty Acids as Crop Desiccants. Weed Science Society of America, 42:68, 2002.
- 2. Coleman, R. and D. Penner. 2006. Desiccant Activity of Short Chain Fatty Acids. Weed Technology. 20: 410 to 415.
- 3. Coleman, R. and D. Penner. 2008. Organic Acid Enhancement of Pelargonic Acid. Weed Technology. 22: 38 to 41
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Progress 06/01/07 to 05/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Formulation chemistry: During Phase I, numerous combinations of caprylic acid or C-8 (active ingredient) and natural lecithin emulsifiers were formulated with potential organic acid synergists such as glycolic, propionic and L-lactic acid. Selection of certain acids or adjuvants was based on their potential as or known to be effective synergists for C-8 or C-9 in other types of formulations. Greenhouse trials at Michigan State University (MSU): The more promising formulations from stability trials were evaluated by MSU as candidate herbicides. Caprylic acid formulations, containing L-lactic or propionic +/- an ester of salicylate, were emulsified with one of several different lecithin products. Formulations emulsified with lecithin were compared with existing organic herbicides such as plant oil products, Matran EC and BurnOut II. Evaluation of the pre-emergent, corn gluten product was also done. Field testing of herbicides on mixed weed species by Summerdale, Inc.: The final number of replicated, field trials completed for Phase I far exceeded those planned for Phase I. This was done to more fully understand herbicide performance for numerous experimental formulations compared to commercial products, especially to establish Phase II work. That is, to evaluate possible treatment differences for a) predominant broadleaf populations versus predominantly grasses, b) stage of growth/weed heights and c) at a preliminary level, climate variation. Twenty-eight (28) independent field trials were done, beginning early May through late September, 2007. All 28 trials were repeated and results, including treatment differences and statistical analysis (ANOVA, P at 0.05), reflect data from combined, replicated trials. Weed species most commonly tested by Summerdale, Inc. were wild carrot, common dandelion, white and red clover, buckhorn plantain, birdsfoot trefoil, yellow hawkweed, brome grass and crabgrass at a height range of 3 to 20 inches. A single application of treatments ranged from 14 to 100 gpa (40 - 60 psi), where lower amounts (14 - 40 gpa) represented herbicide spray volumes/acre typically used by growers, whereas higher application volumes such as 60 - 100 gpa or approaching "spray to drip", simulated amounts likely to be applied by home consumers and by commercial and industrial users. The disparity between commercial products and C-8 formulations was more profound in the field over what was observed in greenhouse trials; i.e., C-8 formulations were far superior. Intellectual property: Summerdale, Inc. has protected significant inventions and will continue to do so. Four U.S. patents (Patent #6,218,336, #6,509,297, #6,812,190, #6,969,696 and a Chinese patent, Application No.00817831.3 (PCT/US00/28405) have been issued to Summerdale, Inc. Two applications are pending: 1) Fungicide Compositions, R. Coleman. Pub. No. US2004/0266852 A1, Dec 30, 2004, filed on July 9, 2004 and 2) Pesticide Compositions and Methods For Their Use, R. Coleman. Pub. No. US 2007/0249699 A1, Oct 25, 2007, filed June 25, 2007, a continuation-in-part of Fungicide Compositions. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Only a limited number of chemical control products are organically acceptable and these include contact herbicide materials such as acetic acid (in vinegar), citric acid, soap, non-synthetic plant extracts and preparations and solutions of sodium nitrate, as well as a pre-emergent material, corn gluten. Herbicides can be used for selective weed control by manipulating the timing of application or placement of material or by exploiting differences in the chemical tolerances of the crop and the target weed. Weeds that emerge before the crop can be killed or suppressed with contact herbicides (i.e., acetic acid). The efficacy of these organic-accepted herbicides is marginal at best. Currently, weed control for the organic grower can be costly, labor intensive, inefficient and has become a major issue affecting a grower's ability to be competitive especially for fruit and vegetable markets. Hence, a novel, approved method, highly effective as a non-selective herbicide treatment, will gain significant attention from organic growers, most notably if the method is shown to be consistently effective and is reasonably priced. Since caprylic acid (C-8 fatty acid) is found in mammalian systems and present in many vegetable and animal fats (i.e., an abundant fatty acid in coconut oil and at 1-4% in milk fat), C-8 appears to be a good candidate for USDA (NOP)/OMRI approval. Short chain fatty acids, such as caprylic acid, are known to be rapidly digested and absorbed in the intestinal tract. There are no chemical syntheses or modifications of C-8, nor are there chemical catalysts or any other chemicals used during any stage of caprylic acid preparation (water hydrolysis, distillation or fractional distillation) from coconut oil (Cognis, Inc.). There is a good likelihood that a herbicide formulation containing caprylic and lactic acids would have USDA (NOP)/OMRI-approval since the formulation ingredients: a) are indigenous to many foods (i.e., milk, vegetable fats) and C-8, as an even-numbered fatty acid is ubiquitous in nature (versus pelargonic or C-9), b) are FDA GRAS compounds and relatively non-toxic, c) can be directly extracted/separated from food substances such as coconut oil (C-8), d) there is no need for chemical hydrolysis or any modification processes to produce or manufacture the compounds, e) are commonly used as acidulants and flavor enhancers in the food industry and f) are used as medicinal agents for gastric ailments and indigestion (caprylic acid) while lactic and glycolic acids are found in skin creams
Publications
- Coleman, R.D. and D. Penner. Fatty Acids as Crop Desiccants. Weed Science Society of America, 42:68, 2002.
- Coleman, R. and D. Penner. 2006. Desiccant Activity of Short Chain Fatty Acids. Weed Technology. 20: 410 to 415.
- Coleman, R. and D. Penner. 2008. Organic Acid Enhancement of Pelargonic Acid. Weed Technology. 22: 38 to 41.
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