Micro-colloidal silicic acid/boric acid composition and a method of preparing a bioenhancing solution and powder

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition comprising an acidified aqueous solution of (1) micro colloidal silicic acid, (2) boric acid, and (3) a water absorbing additive, having a pH value of equal to or less than 1, wherein the micro colloidal silicic acid has particle sizes in the range of 1-8 nm, especially in the range of 1.5-6 nm. The invention also provides a particulate product obtainable by the method according to claim 18, wherein the particles comprise (1) silicic acid, (2) boric acid, and (3) the water absorbing additive, and wherein at least 90% of the particles in the particulate product have particle sizes in the range of 0.3-5 μm.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A composition comprising an acidified aqueous solution of (i) micro colloidal silicic acid, (ii) boric acid, and (iii) a water absorbing additive, having a pH value equal to or less than about 1, wherein the micro colloidal silicic acid has particle sizes in the range of about 1 nm to about 8 nm. 
     
     
         35 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein the micro colloidal silicic acid has particle sizes in the range of about 1.5 nm to about 6 nm. 
     
     
         36 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein the water absorbing additive comprises a humectant selected from the group consisting of a polysorbate, a vegetable gum, a substituted cellulose, a polyglycerol ester of a fatty acid, a polyethylene glycol, a polydextrose, a propylene glycol, a propylene glycol alginate, a polyoxy ethylene glycol ester, a pectine or amidated pectine, a sucrose ester of a fatty acid, an acetylated or hydroxypropyl starch, a starch phosphate, urea, sorbitol, malitol, a vitamins, and a mixture of two or more of such humectants. 
     
     
         37 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein the water absorbing additive concentration is at least about 30% of the composition. 
     
     
         38 . The composition according to  claim 37 , wherein the water absorbing additive concentration is in the range of about 30% to about 60% of the composition. 
     
     
         39 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein the molar Si/B ratio is in the range of about 1.5 to about 300. 
     
     
         40 . The composition according to  claim 34 , further comprising an additional additive selected from the group consisting of a flavoring agent, a sweetener, a coloring agent, a preservative and a stabilizing agent, and a combination of two or more of such additional additives. 
     
     
         41 . The composition according to  claim 34 , further comprising an additional nutrient selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, molybdenum, selenium, a humic acid, a fulvic acid, an amino acid, and a mixture of two or more of such additional nutrients. 
     
     
         42 . The composition according to  claim 34 , having a pH value equal to or less than about 0.5. 
     
     
         43 . The composition according to  claim 34 , further comprising one or more of HCl and H 3 PO 4 . 
     
     
         44 . The composition according to  claim 34 , having a shelf life of at least about one year at room temperature. 
     
     
         45 . A method of preparing a composition according to  claim 34 , the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first mixture of a water absorbing additive and an acidified aqueous liquid;   (b) providing a second mixture of a silicon source and an aqueous liquid;   (c) mixing at a temperature in the range of greater than about 10° C. and less than about 35° C. the first mixture and the second mixture to provide a stock solution, wherein the first mixture is stored for at least about 6 hours before mixing with the second mixture, optionally without substantial stirring, and   (d) adding a boron source to one or more of the second mixture and the stock solution.   
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the silicon source is a silicate. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein the silicate is an alkali silicate. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein the alkali silicate is potassium silicate. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the boron source is boric acid. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the mixing process is performed in a rotary jet mixer. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 45 , further comprising removing the aqueous liquid and producing a particulate product. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein the aqueous liquid is removed by spray-drying. 
     
     
         53 . An acidified aqueous solution having a pH in the range of about 4 to about 6 and comprising (i) micro colloidal silicic acid, (ii) boric acid, and (ii) a water absorbing additive, wherein the micro colloidal silicic acid has particle sizes in the range of about 1 nm to about 8 nm, and wherein the solution. 
     
     
         54 . A method of preparing the acidified aqueous solution according to  claim 53 , the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first mixture of a water absorbing additive and an acidified aqueous liquid;   (b) providing a second mixture of a silicon source and an aqueous liquid;   (c) mixing in a mixing process at a temperature in the range of greater then about 10° C. and less than about 35° C. the first mixture and the second mixture to provide a stock solution, wherein the first mixture is stored for at least about 6 hours before mixing with the second mixture, optionally without substantial stirring,   (d) adding a boron source to one or more of the second mixture and the stock solution;   (e) maintaining the composition thus obtained for at least about  6  hours at a temperature in the range of greater than about 10° C. and less than about 35° C.; and   (f) diluting the composition with an aqueous liquid to arrive at a pH in the range of about 4 to about 6.   
     
     
         55 . A product in the form of particles comprising (i) silicic acid, (ii) boric acid, and (iii) a water absorbing additive, and wherein at least about 90% of the particles in the have a size in the range of about 0.3 μm to about 5 μm. 
     
     
         56 . A method for preparing a solution of a composition according to  claim 34 , the method comprising:
 (a) dissolving a particulate product, wherein the particles of the particulate product comprise (1) silicic acid, (2) boric acid and (3) a water absorbing additive, and wherein at least about 90% of the particles in the particulate product have particle sizes in the range of about 0.3 to about 5 in an aqueous liquid;   (b) adjusting the pH of the solution obtained in step (a) to a range of about 4 to about 6.