Terpene-containing compositions and methods of making and using them

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions comprising terpenes and hollow glucan particles or cell wall particles and methods for preparing such compositions. The compositions increase terpene stability and activity and provide a suitable carrier for the terpenes. The invention also relates to methods of using such compositions in the medical, veterinary and agricultural fields.

1 . A method of killing an insect or arachnid, said method comprising the step of;
 (a) administering to said insect or arachnid in an effective dose a composition comprising a hollow glucan particle or cell wall particle encapsulating a terpene component.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the insect is selected from the group consisting of ants, termites, lice, aphids, fleas, locusts, grasshoppers and thrips. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the arachnid is selected from the group consisting of mites, spiders and ticks. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  in which the composition is administered to mite or insects which infest plants. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  in which the mites are two-spotted spider mites. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  in which the terpene component comprises citral alone or a combination of eugenol, thymol and citral. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  in which the composition is administered by spraying or otherwise spreading the composition onto the insect or arachnid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  in which the composition is administered by spraying or otherwise spreading onto a plant leaf which may then be ingested by the insect or arachnid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  in which the composition is administered to an object by immersing the object infested with the insect or arachnid in the composition. 
     
     
         10 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating or preventing infestation of a plant, said method comprising the step of;
 (a) administering in a therapeutically effective dose a composition comprising a hollow glucan particle or cell wall particle encapsulating a terpene component to the plant or to soil in proximity to the plant.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  in which the infestation is by an insect or arachnid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  in which the arachnid is a herbivorous mite. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  in which the herbivorous mite is a two-spotted spider mite. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  in which the insect is selected from the group consisting of flies, aphids, ants, locusts, grasshoppers and thrips. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  in which the terpene component comprises a combination of eugenol, thymol and citral. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  in which the composition is administered shortly before harvest of the plant. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13  in which the composition is administered regularly as a prophylactic measure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13  in which the composition is administered by spraying or irrigation. 
     
     
         24 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1  in which the terpene component comprises one or more terpenes selected from the group consisting of geraniol, thymol, citral, carvone, eugenol and b-ionone. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 13  in which the terpene component comprises one or more terpenes selected from the group consisting of geraniol, thymol, citral, carvone, eugenol and b-ionone.