Invented by II Ronald C. Bakus, Louis Perez, Camille Mol, James Rogers, Gabriel Rodriguez, Apeel Technology Inc

Plant extract compositions have been gaining popularity in the protective coatings industry due to their eco-friendly and sustainable nature. These compositions are derived from natural sources such as herbs, fruits, and vegetables, and are used to create coatings that protect surfaces from environmental damage, corrosion, and wear and tear. The market for plant extract compositions for protective coatings is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly products. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the impact of their choices on the environment and are opting for products that are eco-friendly. Plant extract compositions offer several benefits over traditional coatings. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, and do not emit harmful chemicals into the environment. They are also effective in protecting surfaces from damage caused by UV radiation, moisture, and other environmental factors. The use of plant extract compositions in protective coatings is not limited to a specific industry. They can be used in various applications such as automotive, aerospace, marine, and construction. The automotive industry, in particular, has been a significant contributor to the growth of this market. The demand for eco-friendly coatings that can protect cars from environmental damage has been on the rise. Several companies are investing in research and development to create innovative plant extract compositions for protective coatings. These companies are also collaborating with universities and research institutes to develop new technologies and products. The market is highly competitive, and companies are striving to create products that offer superior performance and are cost-effective. In conclusion, the market for plant extract compositions for protective coatings is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products is driving this growth. The use of plant extract compositions in protective coatings offers several benefits over traditional coatings, making them an attractive option for various industries. Companies are investing in research and development to create innovative products that offer superior performance and are cost-effective.

The Apeel Technology Inc invention works as follows

The methods described here are for preparing monomers, polymers or combinations of these from plant material containing cutin. The method can include heating cutin-derived plants in a solution at high temperatures and pressure. The methods can, in some embodiments be performed without using additional acidic and basic species.

Background for Plant extract compositions for protective coatings

When exposed to the elements, common agricultural products can decompose and become spoiled. These agricultural products include eggs, fruits and vegetables, produce (including processed and semi-processed versions), seeds, nuts and flowers. Non-agricultural products (e.g., vitamins, candy, etc.) When exposed to ambient conditions, non-agricultural products (e.g., vitamins and candy) are also susceptible to degradation. Abiotic degradation can be caused by evaporation of moisture from agricultural products’ external surfaces to the air, oxidation of oxygen diffused into agricultural products through the environment, mechanical damage of the surface or light-induced degradation. Additionally, biotic stressors, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and pests, can infest and decompose agricultural products.

Refrigeration and/or special packing are conventional approaches for preventing degradation, maintaining the quality and increasing the lifespan of agricultural products. Refrigeration requires capital-intensive equipment, demands constant energy expenditure, can cause damage or quality loss to the product if not carefully controlled, must be actively managed, and its benefits are lost upon interruption of a temperature-controlled supply chain. Special packaging may also require expensive equipment and packaging materials, as well as increase transportation costs. It will also require active management. The handling and transport of agricultural products, despite the benefits of refrigeration and special packaging can cause surface abrasion and bruising. This is not only aesthetically unappealing to consumers but also serves as bacterial and fungal entry points. The costs associated with these approaches can increase the price of the product.

The cuticles that cover the aerial surfaces of many plants (such higher plants) provide varying levels of protection from water loss, oxidation and mechanical damage, as well as photodegradation and biotic stressors. This protection depends on the species of plant and the organ of the plant (e.g. fruit, seeds and bark, flowers and leaves, stems etc.). The cuticle is made up of cutin, a biopolyester that is derived from the cellular lipids. It protects the plant from environmental stressors both abiotic (abiotic) and biotic. The composition, thickness and density of cutin can differ by species of plants, plant organs within the same species or between species and stage of maturity. Cutin-containing portions of plants can contain other compounds as well (e.g. epicuticular oils, phenolics and antioxidants, colored compounds or proteins, polysaccharides etc.). The variation in cutin composition, as well as thickness and density, between different plant species, plant organs, or a given plant during various stages of maturity, can result in varying levels of resistance to environmental stressors, such as water loss, light, oxidation and mechanical injury.

The present invention describes methods for preparing monomers, polymers or combinations thereof derived from plant material containing cutin. The method may involve heating the plant material containing cutins in a solvent under high pressure and temperature.

The present disclosure, therefore, provides, as one aspect of the invention, a method for preparing monomers, polymers or combinations thereof derived from plant material containing cutins, which comprises:

In another aspect, this disclosure provides a way to form a composition of plant extracts, which includes:

In another aspect, this disclosure provides a way to form a composition of plant extracts, which includes:

In another aspect of the present disclosure, it provides a method for preparing monomers, polymers or combinations thereof derived from plant material containing cutins, which comprises:

The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a composition containing esters of fatty acids derived from cutin. The method comprises obtaining cutin by removing it from plant matter containing cutin, adding it to a solvent, which has a boiling temperature at one atmosphere pressure, to form a mix. The method also includes heating the mixture at a second temperature, and a second pressure. The second temperature is higher than the first, and the second atmosphere pressure is higher than one.

The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a composition containing free fatty acids monomers, polymers or combinations thereof derived from cutin. The method comprises obtaining cutin by extracting it from plant matter containing cutin, and adding the cutin into water to create a mixture. The method also includes heating the mixture to a second pressure and temperature, where the second pressure is higher than 1 atmosphere at which water boils, and the second temperature is higher than that.

The present disclosure also provides a method for forming a protective layer. The method comprises extracting a composition, which includes a plurality cutin-derived monomers or oligomers or combinations thereof from a cuticle of a first species of plant, and disposing of the composition over a second species of plant, either the same as the first species or different, to form a protective coating on the second species.

The present disclosure also provides a method for forming a protective layer. The method involves extracting a composition out of a cuticle of plant material of a first species, the composition containing a plurality cutin-derived monomers or polymers, fatty acids esters or combinations thereof. It then disposes the composition onto plant matter from a second species different from the first, thereby forming a protective coating on the plant matter from the second.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, it provides a method for preparing monomers, polymers or combinations thereof derived from plant material containing cutins, which comprises:

In another aspect of the present disclosure, it provides a method for preparing monomers, polymers or combinations thereof derived from plant material containing cutins, which comprises:

wherein:

The “methods and formulations” described herein may include any or all of the following features or steps, individually or in combination. The second mixture may be cooled down to a lower temperature than the first temperature. In addition to cooling the mixture, it is possible to reduce the second pressure down into a third one. The third temperature may be lower than first temperature. The third pressure may be similar to the first pressure. The third pressure may be around one atmosphere. Separating the solvent from a second mixture can be part of the method to isolate monomers or oligomers derived from cutin. The second temperature should be at least 5% greater than the first. The second pressure may be high enough to keep at least some solvents in liquid phase when the temperature is raised. The second pressure may be greater than the first. Before adding the cutin into the solvent, the cutin can at least be partially separated from the non-cutin-containing portion of plant matter.

The process of forming a second mixture can also result in the production unsaturated fatty acid. The second mixture may result in both saturated and un-saturated fatty acid production. Unsaturated fatty acids are produced by removing a hydroxyl group from the fatty acid chains. In the second mixture, a higher concentration of saturated fatty acid can be achieved than that of unsaturated. In the process of creating the second mixture, unsaturated fat acids can be produced. The second mixture can be formed by combining both saturated and un-saturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids esters are produced by removing a hydroxyl group from the fatty chain. In the second mixture, a higher concentration of saturated fatty acids esters may be present.

The heating can be done while the mixture is still in the vessel. The method can also include injecting liquid or gas into the vessel at the same time as the first mix is heated. Depolymerization reactions at second temperatures can lead to uncharged monomers, polymers or combinations of monomers derived from cutin. The solvent can then be chosen so that the concentrations of reactive cations and anions dispersed in the solvent while it is at the second heat are sufficient to depolymerize at least a portion of the cutin. The rate of depolymerization in the solvent at the second temperature can be 100 times higher than the rate at the first pressure and temperature. The monomers or oligomers derived from cutin in the second mixture are substantially soluble in solvents at 298 K. At a second temperature greater than 393 K, the second temperature is at least 498 K. Nucleophilic solvents can be used as solvents. Water can be used as a solvent. The first mixture may also include a cosolvent. The co-solvent may be CO2. “The solvent can be free from any added acid or base.

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