RELATED APPLICATION/S

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/409,233 filed on 23 September 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of the invention is a method of preparation of solid pesticidal bait composition in the form of granules, comprising at least one pesticidal agent, a flour and a carrier, and also to for applying said bait composition for control of slug and/or snail pest.

Granular solid formulations of pesticides are known and widely used due to their significant advantages in packaging, ease of handling and safety to the users.

Notwithstanding substantive importance and extensive research of over 40 years, the process of production of granulated agrochemical pesticides is still based mostly on practical experience and strongly depends on the nature of agrochemical active ingredient and its compatibility and agglomeration ability with inert matrix components.

One of the common granulation techniques is wet extrusion granulation which involves homogeneously mixing the active ingredient/s with other excipients as a powder and then wetting said mixture in the presence of granulating fluid (in most cases including water), forming larger agglomerates and extruding said agglomerated material to form granules. The resulting wet granules are dried to remove excess of moisture/granulation fluid.

In general, granulation technology establishes numerous challenges due to high quality requirement of the formed granules in terms of content uniformity and physicochemical properties of final granules, such as physical and chemical stability of the active pesticide, granule size, bulk density, porosity, weight resistance, moisture, compressibility, etc.

Physicochemical properties of the final granulated material strongly depend both on chemical nature of active ingredient and inert excipients, and on the parameters of granulation process. The process of granulation should afford granules having high quality leading to higher efficacy during application in agrochemical field.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a granulation method and corresponding formulations which will provide a useful alternative in the granulation art, said formulations offer advantages over currently employed techniques.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a method of producing a granular pesticidal bait composition comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity.

The present invention also provides a method of producing a granular pesticidal bait composition comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, wherein the temperature of drying air is above 65° C.

The present invention also provides a pesticidal granular bait composition for plant protection which comprises a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier, wherein said granular composition having a weight resistance of greater than about 2 kg.

The present invention also provides a pesticidal granular bait composition for plant protection which comprises a pesticidal agent selected from iron powders and/or iron alloys powders, iron salts, iron chelates, metaldehyde, methiocarb and the mixtures thereof, a flour, and a carrier, wherein said granular composition having a water content from 1.0 % to 15 %.

The present invention further provides a method for control of pest using granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions:

Prior to setting forth the present subject matter in detail, it may be helpful to provide definitions of certain terms to be used herein. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this subject matter pertains. The following definitions are provided for clarity.

The term “a” or “an” as used herein includes the singular and the plural, unless specifically stated otherwise. Therefore, the terms “a,” “an,” or “at least one” can be used interchangeably in this application.

As used herein, the verb “comprise” as is used in this description and in the claims and its conjugations are used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded.

As used herein, the term “about” when used in connection with a numerical value includes ±10% from the indicated value. In addition, all ranges directed to the same component or property herein are inclusive of the endpoints, are independently combinable, and include all intermediate points and ranges. It is understood that where a parameter range is provided, all integers within that range, and tenths thereof, are also provided by the invention.

As used herein the term “granular pesticidal bait composition”, which compositions are known in the art, refers to solid composition of particles in the form of granules, in which each granule contains a pesticidal active ingredient impregnated into the granule as well as food particles and carrier for the target insects.

As used herein, the term “additive” refers to any substance that itself is not an active ingredient but is added to the composition. Examples of additives includes, but are not limited to, adjuvants, surfactants, emulsifiers, anti-freeze agents, antifoam agents, and preservatives. As used herein the term "plant" or “crop” includes reference to whole plants, plant organs (e.g. leaves, stems, twigs, roots, trunks, limbs, shoots, fruits etc.), plant cells, or plant seeds. This term also encompasses plant crops such as fruits, spores, corms, bulbs, rhizomes, sprouts basal shoots, stolons, and buds and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil.

The aspects and embodiments of the present invention are described below.

The present invention provides a method of producing a granular pesticidal bait composition comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of producing a granular pesticidal bait composition comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, wherein the temperature of drying air is above 65° C.

In another embodiment, the temperature of drying air is from 65 °C to 85 °C.

In an embodiment, the pesticidal agent is selected from iron powders and/or iron alloys powders, iron salts, iron chelates, metaldehyde, methiocarb and the mixtures thereof.

In an embodiment, iron powders and/or iron alloys powders are chosen from a group comprising carbonyl iron (for example Ferronyl Iron®), sponge iron obtained by reduction in solid phase (for example SC 100.26), sprayed iron forms prepared by a quick solidification of melted iron (for example ASC 100.29), electrolytic powders, alloy powders or iron coated with other metals and/or non-metals such as carbon, phosphor or phosphates (for example PNC 60), mixtures of iron powders with magnetite, iron powders coated with fats or paraffin.

In another embodiment, the iron chelates are selected from but not limited to complexes with Fe(II) and/or Fe (III) ions, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and salts thereof, hydrated disodium versenate, N- hexamethyllenediaminetetraacetic acid (HDTA) and salts thereof, methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and salts thereof, diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA) and salts thereof, hydroxy-2-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEEDTA) and salts thereof, ethylenediamine-N.N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and salts thereof, glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA) and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the iron salts are selected from but not limited to ferric albuminate, ferric ammonium citrate, ferric chloride, ferric citrate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous lactate, ferric pyrophosphate, ferric nitrate, ferrous sulfate, ferric stearate, ferrous stearate, ferric tartrate, iron (II) hydrogen sulfate, iron (III) hydrogen sulfate, iron (II) hydrogen phosphate, iron (III) hydrogen phosphate, iron (II) hydrogen carbonate, iron (II) phosphate, iron (III) phosphate, iron (II) carbonate, iron (III) carbonate and the like. The salts can be in the form of hydrates or in anhydrous form.

In an embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method of the present invention comprises a flour originated from vegetal source, in particular, made from cereal species.

In an embodiment, the flour material originates from cereal species such as wheat, maize (or corn) or a mixture of them.

The flour may be obtained by grinding any seed of the above-mentioned vegetal species such as the well known kinds of flours available on the market.

In an embodiment, the amount of flour is equal to or greater than 50 % by weight of dry substances.

In an embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the pesticidal agent is present in the composition at a concentration in the range of from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of total formulation.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the amount of the pesticidal agent in the composition of the present invention is from about 0.1 % to 5% by weight of total formulation.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the amount of the pesticidal agent in the composition of the present invention is from about 0.5% to 6% by weight of total formulation.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the amount of the pesticidal agent in the composition of the present invention is from about 1% to 3% by weight of total formulation.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the amount of the pesticidal agent in the composition is from about 3% to 10% by weight of total formulation.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the amount of the pesticidal agent in the composition is from about 10% to 20% by weight of total formulation.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity characterized in that the amount of the pesticidal agent in the composition is from about 20% to 30% by weight of total formulation.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the amount of the pesticidal agent in the composition of the present invention is from about 30% to 40% by weight of total formulation.

In an embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the flour is wheat flour, bran flour, durum wheat flour, corn flour and the mixture thereof.

In an embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the carrier material can be selected from a group consisting of water, sugars, alcohols, vinegar, plant- derived oils, mineral oils, glycerol, glycols, wheat cereal, bran, molasses, agar, gelatin, pet food, soy products, oats, corn, corn cob, vegetable oils, citrus mash, rice, fruits, fish by-products, coated vegetable seeds, coated cereal seeds, dairy products, whey powder, casein, albumen, blood meal, bone meal, yeast, fats, beer products, sand, clay, silica, polyacrylic acid polymers, polyacrylimide acid polymers, diatomaceous earth, alginate, wax and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment the carrier further contains attractants, which could be added for the purpose to encourage continued feeding in the target pest (e.g slug and/or snail). Non-limiting examples of attractants are selected from humic acid, molasses, beer, milk, blood, shrimp, digestible carbohydrates, nuts, fish, vegetable extracts and the mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared according to the method of the present invention may comprise substances against mold growth such as IPBC, DCOIT, sorbic acid or sodium benzoate.

In another embodiment, antioxidants can be added to the composition prepared according to the method of the present invention, in order to reduce the effect of oxidation of the composition. Non-limiting examples of suitable antioxidants include butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA), alpha-tochopherol, ethoxyquin (6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-l,2- dihydroquinoline), and 2,6-dioctadecyl-P-cresol (DOPC).

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared according to the method of the present invention may comprise dyes and pigments, safety additive agents (e.g. Bitrex®), agents improving rain-resistance of granules, pH adjustment agents and the like.

In an embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared according to the method of the present invention may be further coated.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the final granules have a diameter of from 0.2 to 6 mm.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the final granules have a diameter of from 0.4 to 4.0 mm.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the final granules have an apparent density of from 0.40 to 1.0.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the final granules have an apparent density of from 0.60 to 0.90.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity characterized in that the final granules have weight resistance higher than about 2.0 kg

In an embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the final granules have water content of from about 1.0% to 15 % per weight of total composition.

In another embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, characterized in that the final granules have water content from about 5.0% to 15 % per weight of total composition.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pesticidal granular bait composition for plant protection which comprises a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier, wherein said granular composition having further a weight resistance of greater than about 2 kg.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pesticidal granular bait composition for plant protection which comprises a pesticidal agent, selected from iron powders and/or iron alloys powders, iron salts, iron chelates, metaldehyde, methiocarb and the mixtures thereof; a flour, and a carrier, wherein said granular composition having further a weight resistance of greater than about 2 kg-

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pesticidal granular bait composition for plant protection which comprises a pesticidal agent selected from iron powders and/or iron alloys powders, iron salts, iron chelates, metaldehyde, methiocarb and the mixtures thereof, a flour, and a carrier, wherein said granular composition having a water content from 1.0 % to 15 %.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pesticidal granular bait composition for plant protection which comprises a pesticidal agent selected from iron powders and/or iron alloys powders, iron salts, iron chelates, metaldehyde, methiocarb and the mixtures thereof, a flour, and a carrier, wherein said granular composition having a water content from 5.0 % to 15 %.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for control of pest using granular pesticidal bait composition prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity.

The term "control" as used herein includes paralysis, repellency, feeding inhibition and killing of pests, in particular slugs and/or snails. In the context of plants, it includes protecting plants from slugs and/or snails infestation or damage. Suitable crops for control of pests, in particular slugs and/or snails include, but not limited to cereals (such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, maize or sorghum); beet (such as sugar or fodder beet); fruit (such as pome fruit, stone fruit, apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries); legumes (such as beans, lentils, peas or soya beans); oil crops (such as oil seed rape, mustard, poppies, olives, sunflowers, coconuts, castor, cacao or peanuts); marrows (such as pumpkins, cucumbers or melons); fibre plants (such as cotton, flax, hemp or jute); citrus fruits (such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits or tangerines); vegetables (such as spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbage species, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, or capsicums); laurels (such as avocado, Cinnamonium or camphor); and tobacco, nuts, grapes, coffee, egg plants, sugar cane, tea, pepper, grapevines, hops, the banana family, latex plants and ornamentals.

In an embodiment, the granular pesticidal bait formulation prepared by the method comprising: a) preparation of a mixture comprising a pesticidal agent, a flour, and a carrier; b) wetting of a mixture comprising active pesticidal agent and a flour to form a dough; c) extrusion of a dough formed in b) and d) drying of wet granules formed in c) by warming of said wet granules using inlet oven surrounded by air flow having from about 50% to about 80% air humidity, is applied to the locus at which pests are present.

The term "locus" as used herein refers to the physical location where the crop or plant is growing. For agricultural crops, the locus may be a field; for vegetable crops, the locus may be a flowerbed or vegetable patch; and for ornamental plants, the locus may be a flower pot or container.

The composition prepared according to the method of present invention can be generally used, in either open (such as plant pots, gardens, fields and the like) or closed (such as glasshouses, polytunnels and the like) environments for control of pests, in particular slugs and/or snails.

The composition prepared according to the present invention can be used for soil application.

In broadcast an embodiment, the following group of slug and snail pests can be controlled using a composition prepared by the method of the present invention: Helix aspersa, Helix nemoralis, Cepaea nemoralis, Zonitoides arboreus, Theba pisana, Subolina octona, Helicella spp., Cepaea spp, Deroceras reticulatum, Deroceras leave, Umax poif|eri, Milax gagates, Anon spp, Arion subfucus, Arion circumscriptus, Arion hortensis, Arion rufus, Arion ater, Arion lusitanicus, Umax maximus, Lflavus, Umax glavus, Umax tenellus, Agriolimax reticulatis, and Ariolimax columbianus. The following examples are presented in order to illustrate certain embodiments of the invention. They should in no way, however, be construed as limiting the broad scope of the invention. One skilled in the art can readily devise many variations and modifications of the principles disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. EXPERIMENTAL PART:

Example 1: General procedure for preparation of granular bait composition:

Powdered flour and other bait constituents and additives mixed with pesticidal agent (e.g. iron powders and/or iron alloys powders, iron salts, iron chelates, metaldehyde, methiocarb and the mixtures thereof) until homogenous mixture obtained. Then, 20-40% of water added to the previously prepared powders mixture and the obtained hydrated blend homogenized by mixing. Said homogenized hydrated blend was used as feedstock on the extrusion unit. After that, the hydrated blend obtained in the previous step was inserted into the screw cylinder and further pressed through a die under pressure of 70-130 bar to obtain the extruded product. After that the extruded product was cut by blades set in contact with the die to obtain wet granules. Then, wet granules were transferred to trays and put in the oven. Oven was heated up to 40 to 90°C and the humidity set of about 40 to 80% (50%). After 1-4 hours the final granular product removed from the oven.

The list of exemplary granular bait compositions prepared according to Example 1 represented in Table 1:

Table 1: Formulation examples prepared according to the process of Example 1

Example 2: Preparation of granular bait composition A:

Powdered 24.5 Kg of wheat flour, 0.3 kg of iron powder, 1.2 kg of Ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid and 4.0 kg of bait additives were mixed until homogenous mixture obtained. Then 32% of processing liquid (water) was added to the previously prepared powders mixture and the obtained hydrated blend was homogenized for additional 10 minutes by mixing. Said homogenized hydrated blend was used as feedstock on the extrusion unit, wherein feed-rate is 80-100 kg/h. The hydrated blend obtained in the previous step was inserted into the screw cylinder and further pressed through a die under pressure of 120 bar to obtain the extruded product. After that the extruded product was cut by blades set in contact with the die to obtain wet granules. Then, wet granules were transferred to trays and put in the oven. Oven was heated up to 70 °C and the humidity set for 50% for 2.5 hours. After that, final granular product has been removed from the oven, let cool down and packed.

Example 3: Preparation of granular bait composition A:

Powdered 24.5 Kg of wheat flour, 0.3 Kg of iron powder, 1.2 Kg of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 4.0 Kg of bait additives were mixed until homogenous mixture obtained. Then 32% of processing liquid (water) was added to the previously prepared powders mixture and the obtained hydrated blend was homogenized for additional 10 minutes by mixing. Said homogenized hydrated blend was used as feedstock on the extrusion unit, wherein feed-rate is 80-100 kg/h. The hydrated blend obtained in the previous step was inserted into the screw cylinder and further pressed through a die under pressure of 120 bar to obtain the extruded product. After that the extruded product was cut by blades set in contact with the die to obtain wet granules. Then, wet granules were transferred to trays and put in the oven. Oven was heated up to 84.5 °C and the humidity set for 66 % for 3.5 hours. After that, final granular product has been removed from the oven, let cool down and packed.

Comparative Example 4: Preparation of granular bait composition A under standard conditions.

Powdered 24.5 Kg of wheat flour, 0.3 Kg of iron powder, 1.2 Kg of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 4.0 Kg of bait additives were mixed until homogenous mixture obtained. Then 32% of processing liquid (water) was added to the previously prepared powders mixture and the obtained hydrated blend was homogenized for additional 10 minutes by mixing. Said homogenized hydrated blend was used as feedstock on the extrusion unit, wherein feed-rate is 80-100 kg/h. The hydrated blend obtained in the previous step was inserted into the screw cylinder and further pressed through a die under pressure of 120 bar to obtain the extruded product. After that the extruded product was cut by blades set in contact with the die to obtain wet granules. Then, wet granules were transferred to trays and put in the oven. Oven was heated up to 70°C and the humidity set of 15 %. After 1.25 hours the granular product was removed from the oven, let cool down and packed.

Example 5: Preparation of granular bait composition B:

Powdered 24.7 Kg of wheat flour 1.65 Kg of bait additives, 1.5 Kg of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salts, and 1.12 Kg of Iron(III) phosphate dihydrate were mixed until homogenous mixture obtained. Then 32% of processing liquid (water) was added to the previously prepared powders mixture and the obtained hydrated blend was homogenized for additional 10 minutes by mixing. Said homogenized hydrated blend was used as feedstock on the extrusion unit, wherein feed-rate is 80-100 kg/h. The hydrated blend obtained in the previous step was inserted into the screw cylinder and further pressed through a die under pressure of 110 bar to obtain the extruded product. After that the extruded product was cut by blades set in contact with the die to obtain wet granules. Then, wet granules were transferred to trays and put in the oven. Oven was heated up to 49.6 °C and the humidity set of 75.6 %. After 5 h the final granular product was removed from the oven, let cool down and packed.

Comparative Example 6: Preparation of granular bait composition B under standard conditions

Powdered 24.756 Kg of wheat flour 1.65 Kg of bait additives, 1.5 Kg of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salts, and 1.125 Kg of Iron(III) phosphate dihydrate were mixed until homogenous mixture obtained. Then 32% of processing liquid (water) was added to the previously prepared powders mixture and the obtained hydrated blend was homogenized for additional 10 minutes by mixing. Said homogenized hydrated blend was used as feedstock on the extrusion unit, wherein feed-rate is 1000-1500 kg/h. The hydrated blend obtained in the previous step was inserted into the screw cylinder and further pressed through a die under pressure of 120 bar to obtain the extruded product. After that the extruded product was cut by blades set in contact with the die to obtain wet granules. Then, wet granules were transferred to the first one layer inlet oven heated up to 65°C, wherein the granules retention time was 20 min, and the humidity set of 10%. Afterwards, partially dried granules were moved with cup conveyer to a six layers oven, heated up to 60°C with humidity set of 10% for 3 hours to afford final granules, which were collected with a cups conveyer and moved to packaging line.

Example 6: Weight resistance analysis:

Weight resistance (WR) was analyzed using a manual hardness tester (Hardness Tester for fertilizer kernels produced by AAMS-Salvarani BVBA Sint-Barbarastraat 34 9990 Maldegem BELGIUM). Said hardness tester composed by a piston marked from 0 to 10 kg, and granule weight resistance was monitored reading the amount of weight in kilograms needed to break the granule. Single granule was placed on the cylindrical side of the tester and the measurement ring was moved to zero mark of the device and then the device was placed straight on the granule. Pressure was slowly applied on the granule until the granule breaks. The amount of weight needed to break the granule was recorded and the measurement repeated 10 times and averaged for resuming final weight resistance parameter for each tested composition.

Table 2: Granules weight resistance versus humidity level used in granules preparation method

Results represented in the Table 2 above, show the correlation between granules weight resistance and oven art humidity during the drying process: higher humidity leads to higher granules weight resistance.