Biodegradable sorbents

Abstract

Disclosed is a sorbent that includes spent grain germ, seed meal, or a mixture thereof. The sorbent may be used to introduce a material into an environment. For instance, the sorbent may be used to introduce a control agent, such as an insecticide or larvicide, into an environment. The sorbent also may be used to remove an unwanted material from an environment. For instance, the sorbent may be used to sorb oil or a hazardous chemical that has been spilled. The disclosed sorbents are biodegradable over a wide range of environmental conditions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for limiting the growth of an undesired pest in an environment, the method comprising: 
 selecting a control agent for said pest;    introducing into said environment an amount of a control agent composition effective to limit the growth of said pest, said control agent composition comprising;    a sorbent, said sorbent being selected from the group consisting of spent grain germ, seed meal, and mixtures thereof,    a control agent sorbed within said sorbent, said control agent being effective to limit the growth of said pest.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , said sorbent including spent corn germ.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , said control agent being present in an amount of 0.001 to 50% by weight of said composition.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , said control agent being present in an amount of 0.10 to 10% by weight of said composition.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , said composition being in the form of discrete plural pellets.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2 , said control agent being a mosquito larvicide.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , the method including the step of introducing said composition into said environment by dispersing said composition from an aircraft.