Pesticides, Antifoulants, and Herbicides

A bio-pesticide for sugarcane, called Bio-Cane , has been launched in Australia. This product is based on a naturally occur- 

Eden Bioscience (U.S.) developed a new class of nontoxic, naturally occurring proteins called hatpins, which are produced in a water-based fermentation process that uses no harsh solvents or reagents, requires only modest energy inputs, and generates no hazardous chemical wastes. Hatpins activate the proteins that 

Roundup , manufactured by Monsanto (USA), is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. A key intermediate for its manufacture is disodium iminodiacetate (DSIDA), which is traditionally made through Strecker s process. This process requires the use of ammonia, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide is extremely toxic, and its use requires special handling to minimize risk to workers, the community, and the environment. Ammonia and formaldehyde are also associated with human health problems and environmental hazards. The process produces 1kg waste for every 7 kg product. The waste contains cyanide and formaldehyde, which need to be treated prior to safe disposal. 

The new Monsanto process makes use of a copper catalyst, which is used to reduce diethanolamine to DSIDA, the intermediate to Roundup (see Fig. 9.27). This process totally eliminates the use of ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and formaldehyde, is free of contaminants and byproducts, and hence does not require further purification steps. The stream can be recycled after filtration of catalyst. Monsanto s process can also be used in the production of other amino acids such as glycine through reduction and is a general method for conversion of primary alcohols to carboxylic acid salts. The development of this technology for processes pertaining to the agricultural, commodity, specialty, and pharmaceutical sectors would have a pronounced impact on the environment. 

DuPont practices biocatalytic hydrolysis of nitriles using immobilized whole cells of P. chloioiaphis B23. The catalyst consumption is 0.006 kg/kg product. The conversion is higher and so 

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