Humidity activated formulation for volatile compounds

Abstract

This invention is related to controlled release formulations of volatile antimicrobial compounds against pathogens affecting meats, plants, or plant parts or dairy products. Provided are delivery systems in the form of coatings or films, where controlled release of their volatile components in vapor form is triggered by high relative humidity. The volatile component may include, for example volatile antimicrobial liquids including low molecular weight alcohols and/or aldehydes, 1-methylcyclopropene, and/or other volatile fungicides.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for preparing a humidity-activated material, the method comprising:
 (a) dispersing a volatile component in an aqueous solution comprising a binder component to give a mixture;   (b) casting the mixture onto a packaging material; and   (c) solidifying the mixture to generate a coating on the packaging material,   wherein the mixture has a viscosity greater than 250 cPs.   
     
     
         12 . A method for preparing a humidity-activated material, the method comprising:
 (a) dispersing a volatile component in an aqueous solution comprising a binder component to give a mixture;   (b) casting the mixture onto a solid substrate; and   (c) solidifying the mixture to generate a coating on the solid substrate,   wherein the mixture has a viscosity greater than 250 cPs.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solidifying step comprises drying the mixture with a stream of gas to form a skin on a top surface of the mixture. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the stream of gas is applied at a temperature between 20° C. and 120° C. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the binder component comprises polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the binder component does not comprise cellulose, starch, gum, or polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the volatile component comprises an antimicrobial compound. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the volatile component comprises a volatile oil. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the volatile component has a boiling point between 40° C. and 300° C. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the volatile component comprises a volatile compound or a molecular complex of the volatile compound and a molecular encapsulating agent. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the volatile compound comprises 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the volatile component is not substantially released below 30% relative humidity, but is released between 75% and 100% relative humidity at room temperature. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the volatile component comprises an antimicrobial compound against a pathogen selected from the group consisting of  Achillea  spp.,  Amomum  spp.,  Asteraceae  spp.,  Borago  spp.,  Brassica  spp.,  Bulnesia  spp.,  Calamus  spp.,  Camellia  spp.,  Cananga  spp.,  Capsicum  spp.,  Cassia  spp.,  Cedrus  spp.,  Chamaecyparis  spp.,  Chrysopogon  spp.,  Cinnamomum  spp.,  Citrus  spp.,  Coriandrum  spp.,  Cupressus  spp.,  Curcuma  spp.,  Cymbopogon  spp.,  Dianthus  spp.,  Dipterocarpus  spp.,  Elettaria  spp.,  Eucalyptus  spp.,  Forniculum  spp.,  Gaultheria  spp.,  Geranium  spp.,  Glycine  spp.,  Gossypium  spp.,  Iris  spp.,  Jasminear  spp.,  Juniperus  spp.,  Lavandula  spp.,  Linum  spp.,  Lippia  spp.,  Litsea  spp.,  Melaleuca  spp.,  Mentha  spp.,  Myristica  spp.,  Ocimum  spp.,  Ornothera  spp.,  Origanum  spp.,  Pimenta  spp.,  Pimpinella  spp.,  Pinus  spp.,  Piper  spp.,  Pogostemon  spp.,  Ricinus  spp.,  Rosa  spp.,  Rosmarinus  spp.,  Salvia  spp.,  Santalum  spp.,  Sassafras  spp.,  Secale  spp.,  Sesamum  spp.,  Simmondsia  spp.,  Syringa  spp.,  Syzygium  spp.,  Thuja  spp.,  Thymus  spp.,  Trigonella  spp.,  Vanilla  spp.,  Zea  spp.,  Zingiber  spp.,  and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the viscosity of the mixture is greater than 500 cPs. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the viscosity of the mixture is between 500 cPs and 50,000 cPs. 
     
     
         27 . A method for preparing a humidity-activated material, the method comprising:
 (a) dispersing a volatile component in an aqueous solution comprising a binder component to give a mixture;   (b) casting the mixture onto a solid substrate;   (c) solidifying the mixture to generate a coating on the solid substrate; and   (d) peeling the coating off the solid substrate to generate a film or sheet,   wherein the viscosity greater than 250 cPs.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the volatile component is not encapsulated in a molecular encapsulating agent. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein no radiation is used during the step of solidifying. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the volatile component is added to the aqueous solution as an emulsion. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the emulsion comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate.