HK1119121B - Antifungal wallboards and building materials and methods for the production thereof - Google Patents

Description

Antifungal wallboard and building material and preparation method thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method of treating wallboard (wallboards) and the treated wallboard. In particular, the present invention relates to wallboard treated with a fungicidally effective amount of strobilurin (strobilurin) or strobilurin-type fungicide. More specifically, the fungicide is azoxystrobin (azoxystrobin). More specifically, the treatment comprises a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin such as azoxystrobin, or a strobilurin fungicide and an additional fungicide such as one selected from the group consisting of: thiabendazole (thiabendazole), fludioxonil (fludioxonil), propiconazole (propiconazole) and difenoconazole (difenoconazole).

Background

Fungi of interest to the present invention are fungi that can grow on building materials such as wallboard. Fungi are versatile organisms and the substrates on which they grow may include building materials in that these materials may be made of or have applied to them a substance that supports the growth of fungi. Fungal growth often requires moisture, which can be caused on building materials by, for example, internal water leaks or external leaks, or high humidity or condensation areas. Fungal growth also requires a food source, which may be the building material itself or may be dirt or other nutrients present on the building material.

Fungi that can grow on building materials such as wallboard have been problematic for some time. The obvious effect of such fungi is the discolouration of the material on which they grow, often accompanied by an unpleasant odour. Fungi also cause physical damage to the material. In recent years, such fungi have also more affected human health. Various health problems are attributed to such fungi, most commonly allergic reactions and in some cases causing infections in humans. Certain fungi that can grow on such building materials are also considered carcinogenic. It has been recognized, of course, that such fungi are increasingly dangerous to humans.

Disclosure of Invention

We have now found that certain fungicides previously known for agricultural use are surprisingly effective against fungi that grow on/infest building materials such as wallboard. Agricultural use refers to application to crop plants or harvested agricultural products such as seeds. The invention takes an important step in the control of fungi on building materials, especially wallboards.

The present invention provides a method of preventing and/or treating fungal growth and/or infestation on wallboard comprising treating the wallboard with a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide.

Strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicides are a well-known class of fungicides which act by blocking cytochrome b and cytochrome c at the site of ubiquinol oxidation₁Inhibit mitochondrial respiration by electron transfer therebetween. The fungicide includes strobilurins methoxyacrylate such as azoxystrobin (azoxystrobin) and picoxystrobin (picoxystrobin), strobilurins hydroxyacetate such as kresoxim-methyl (kresoxim-methyl) and trifloxystrobin (trifloxystrobin), strobilurins hydroxyacetamide such as dimoxystrobin (dimoxystrobin), metominostrobin (metominostrobin), orysastrobin (orysastrobin) (BAS 520) and strobilurins of the following formulae:

dihydro diOxazine strobilurins (dihydrodioxazine strobilurins) such as fluoxastrobin (fluoxastrobin), methoxycarbamate strobilurins (methoxacarbamate strobilurins) such as pyraclostrobin (pyraclovir), strobilurins of the formula:

imidazolinones strobilurins (imidazolinones strobilurin-types) such as fenamidone (fenamidone), andoxazolidinedione strobilurin-types, e.g.Famoxadone (famoxadone). Of particular importance is azoxystrobin. Azoxystrobin (azoxystrobin) is also described as item 47 in The pesticide manual, 13 th edition, The British Crop Protection Council publication, 2003. Picoxystrobin (Picoxystrobin) is also described in the pesticide handbook as item 647.

Wallboard (also sometimes referred to as drywall or plasterboard) is a building material commonly used to make internal partitions of buildings. Buildings include residential buildings such as homes and apartments, and commercial buildings such as malls, warehouses, hotels, and factories, etc., as well as institutional buildings such as universities. The wall panels include ceiling panels that serve as an interior ceiling material. Wallboard is typically in the form of a flat sheet of between 0.5 and 2cm thickness, and it typically comprises a gypsum core coated on both sides with paper. Wall panels are typically secured to wooden frames to form interior walls, or to Ceiling beams (Ceiling panels). Wallboard has many desirable properties, such as being relatively light and easy to cut, and having a surface that is easily decorated with paint or wallpaper. However, wallboard presents particular problems if exposed to water, and for this reason its use is limited to the interior surfaces of buildings. Gypsum is readily water-absorbent and once wetted takes a long time to dry. The combination of starch and cellulose in the wet gypsum core and paper on the surface provides an ideal substrate for fungal growth. In essence, wet gypsum provides a convenient continuous water reservoir for fungi, while paper provides nutrients. Even when used internally, wallboard is subject to water, such as leakage from internal plumbing or rain water leakage from the exterior of a building, or from continued high humidity or condensed water. Unfortunately, such leakage is very common and thus fungal growth on wallboard is a continuing problem.

Fungi are responsible, at least in part, for the so-called "black mold", a fungal infestation of buildings. Wallboard is particularly prone to black mold, which is a serious problem in buildings in some areas and a range of human health problems have been attributed to black mold. Fungi are also responsible for the tendency of the material on which they grow to fade, and this is a particular problem in residential buildings.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing and/or treating growth and/or infestation of fungi on wallboard comprising treating the wallboard with a fungicidally effective amount of a composition comprising as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof.

Surprisingly, we have also demonstrated that fludioxonil has a synergistic effect on the activity of strobilurin/strobilurin-type fungicides and thiabendazole and especially a mixture of azoxystrobin and thiabendazole in controlling certain fungi. More specifically, the addition of small amounts of fludioxonil can greatly enhance the fungicidal activity of certain fungicides against certain fungi that are harmful to wallboard and other materials including building materials, paper, wood and plastics.

Fludioxonil is listed in The Pesticide Manual, 13 th edition, published by The British Crop Protection Council, item 368 in 2003. Fludioxonil is mainly known for use as a crop fungicide and as a seed treatment. Thiabendazole is listed in entry 790, difenoconazole is listed in entry 247 and propiconazole is listed in entry 675.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention describes and uses a mixture of azoxystrobin and thiabendazole, wherein these compounds are present in synergistic amounts. In another embodiment, the present invention describes and uses a mixture of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil, wherein these compounds are present in synergistic amounts.

In another embodiment, the strobilurin fungicide is azoxystrobin. In another embodiment, the strobilurin fungicide is picoxystrobin.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above, wherein the fungus is selected from the group consisting of: alternaria (Alternaria sp.); penicillium (Penicillium sp.); aspergillus (Aspergillus sp.); brachypodium sp and Stachybotrys sp.

In a particular embodiment, the fungus is Stachybotrys chartara (Stachybotrys atra). Throughout the description, Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) and Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys chartarum) are interchangeable. In another embodiment, the fungus is Alternaria tenuissima (Alternaria tenuissima). In yet another embodiment, the fungus is Penicillium chrysogenum (Penicillium chrysogenum). In yet another embodiment, the fungus is Aspergillus niger. In yet another embodiment, the fungus is Aspergillus versicolor. In yet another embodiment, the fungus is a Aureobasidium pullulans. In yet another embodiment, the fungus is a combination of the above mentioned fungi, in particular Alternaria tenuissima, Penicillium chrysogenum (Penicillium chrysogenum), Aspergillus niger (Aspergillus niger) and Aspergillus versicolor (Aspergillus versicolor). In yet another embodiment, the fungus is Aureobasidium pullulans and Stachybotrys chartarum.

Other examples of problematic fungi are: alternaria alternata (Alternaria alternata), Aspergillus flavus (Aspergillus flavus), Aspergillus terreus (Aspergillus terreus), Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspergillus fumigatus), Aspergillus stolonifer (Aspergillus terreus), Aspergillus versicolor (Aspergillus versicolor), Candida albicans (Candida albicans), Chaetomium globosum (Chaetomium globosum), Cladosporium cladosporioides (Cladosporium cladosporioides), Rhizopus cerealis (Cladosporium herbarum), Cladosporium globosum (Cladosporium sporotrichum), Coriolus versicolor (Coniophora botrys), Curvularia genetic, Rhizophyllum nigrella (Diplolina), Epideria floccosum (Fusarium oxysporum), Fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum), Murraria viride (Penicillium), Penicillium trichothecium sp), Penicillium (Penicillium), Penicillium citrinum purpureum (Penicillium), Penicillium citrinum (Penicillium citrinum), Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium (Penicillium citrinum), Penicillium (Penicillium citrinum) and Penicillium (Penicillium citrinum), Penicillium (Penicillium citrinum) strains (Penicillium citrinum), Penicillium (Penicillium citrinum) or Penicillium citrinum), Penicillium (Penicillium citrinum) and Penicillium citrinum) or Penicillium (Penicillium citrinum) or (fungi), Penicillium citrinum) or Penicillium (fungi), Penicillium citrinum) and Penicillium (fungi), Penicillium citrinum) or fungi (, The microorganism may be selected from the group consisting of the green mold (Penicillium ochromonum), the purple mold (Penicillium purpurogenum), the Penicillium pinophilum (Penicillium pinophilum), the Penicillium mutabilium (Penicillium varibilie), the Petrella setifera, the Phanerochaete chrysosporium (Phanerochaete chrysosporium), the Phosphaerella sp (Phomopalaceae), the Poria plantula (Rhodotorula rubra), the Schizophyllum (Schizophyllum commune), the Sclerophoma phytophilia, the Brevibacterium sp (Scophularis brasiliensis), the Cereus sp (Serpulus serrulata), the Sporospora sporophyllum (Sporophyllum), Sterilium, the Trichoderma sp (Trichoderma viride), the Trichoderma sp. and the Trichoderma sp (Trichoderma viride), the Trichoderma sp (Trichoderma sp.), the Trichoderma sp., the Trichoderma sp., the Trichoderma sp., or Trichoderma sp.

Of particular importance are: alternaria alternata (Alternaria alternata), Alternaria tenuissima (Alternaria tenuissima), Aspergillus niger (Aspergillus niger), Aspergillus versicolor (Aspergillus versicolor), Brevibacterium sp (Aureobasidium pullulans), Chaetomium globosum (Chaetomium globosum), Cladosporium cladosporioides (Cladosporium cladosporioides), Coriolus simplex (Coniophora puleana), Micropleus densicola (Gleophyllum trabeum), Memnionella echinata, Mucor indicus, Oligoporus plantula, Penicillium citrinum (Penicillium citrinum), Penicillium chrysogenum (Penicillium chrysogenum), Penicillium funiculosum (Penicillium), Penicillium chrysogenum pinosum (Penicillium chrysogenum), Penicillium reticulatum roseum, Penicillium purpureum (Aspergillus niger), Vitis viniferum nigrescens (Aspergillus niger).

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein said wallboard is treated during said wallboard manufacturing process.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein said fungicide or fungicides is/are included in the gypsum core of said wallboard.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein the fungicide or fungicides is/are applied to the gypsum core surface of the wallboard.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein the fungicide or fungicides is/are included in a paper coating (paper coating) of the wallboard.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein the fungicide or fungicides is/are included in the paper during the paper making process.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein the fungicide or fungicides is/are applied to the paper after the paper has been made.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein the substantially finished wallboard is treated with a fungicide or fungicides.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein the wallboard is treated with a fungicide or fungicides prior to installation of the wallboard.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein after installation of the wallboard, the wallboard is treated with a fungicide or fungicides.

The treatment of the finished wallboard may be performed as part of its manufacture or in a separate process, for example at a different treatment plant, or at or near the site of the building where the wallboard is to be installed.

This treatment can be carried out by a number of methods, including the methods referred to in this specification in relation to the treatment of building materials. In particular, the surface is brushed, wiped, rolled or, preferably, sprayed with a composition comprising the fungicide/fungicides of the invention. If fungal infestation has been evident or suspected, a washing step can be carried out using conventional cleaning materials, such as bleach and/or detergents, to remove some or all of the visible mold or soil before the fungicide/fungicides are applied. The wallboard initially treated according to the novel process of the present invention may also be reprocessed by any of the above methods, for example to enhance or prolong the fungicidal effect. Thus, the reprocessing and methods thereof are also part of the present invention.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing and/or treating fungal contamination on wallboard comprising treating the wallboard with a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing and/or treating fungal contamination on wallboard comprising treating the wallboard with a fungicidally effective amount of a composition comprising as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above wherein the strobilurin fungicide is azoxystrobin. In a particular embodiment, the wallboard is treated with a combination of azoxystrobin and thiabendazole, wherein these compounds are present in synergistic amounts. In another embodiment, the wallboard is treated with a composition of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil, wherein the compound is present in a synergistic amount.

The treatment may be prophylactic, i.e. it may be performed before there is visible fungal growth, or the treatment may be therapeutic, i.e. it may be performed on a wallboard on which the fungus has grown.

The present invention still further provides a wallboard obtainable by the above method.

The present invention still further provides a wallboard obtained by the above method.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a wallboard that has been treated with a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a wallboard that has been treated with a fungicidally effective amount of a composition comprising as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof.

The present invention still further provides a wallboard as described above, wherein the strobilurin fungicide is azoxystrobin. In another embodiment of the present invention, the strobilurin fungicide is picoxystrobin.

The present invention still further provides a wallboard as described above wherein the fungicide is azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the fungicide is azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil.

The present invention still further provides a wallboard as described above in which the fungicide or fungicides is/are contained in the gypsum core. There are a number of ways to achieve this. The fungicide or fungicides are included in the gypsum core, for example by mixing it with the gypsum before it hardens.

The present invention still further provides a wallboard as described above wherein the fungicide or fungicides is/are applied to the gypsum core surface of the wallboard.

The present invention still further provides a wallboard as described above wherein the fungicide or fungicides is/are included in the paper coating of the wallboard.

The present invention still further provides a wallboard as described above wherein the fungicide or fungicides are applied after the wallboard is made.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a wallboard treated with a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide, thereby preventing the growth of fungi on the wallboard.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a wallboard treated with a fungicidally effective amount of a composition, wherein the composition comprises as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. Thereby preventing fungal growth on the wallboard. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises as active ingredients (a) azoxystrobin and (bi) thiabendazole in such synergistic amounts. In another embodiment, the composition comprises as active ingredients (a) azoxystrobin, (bi) thiabendazole and (biv) fludioxonil in such a synergistic amount.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of reprocessing a pre-treated wallboard comprising applying to said wallboard a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide, thereby preventing and/or deterring fungal contamination of said wallboard.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating wallboard previously treated with a different fungicide, the method comprising applying to the wallboard a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide, thereby preventing and/or deterring fungal contamination of the material.

Preferably, the wallboard contains the fungicide/fungicides of the present invention present at a concentration of about 50ppm to 1000 ppm.

Compositions containing the fungicides/fungicides of the invention can be organic solvent based or can be water based. Organic solvents would have the advantage of drying relatively quickly, but water-based compositions are preferred due to their lower potential for air pollution, and less odor, especially in buildings. One example of a suitable aqueous-based composition is an emulsion concentrate.

The composition may be selected from a wide variety of dosage forms, including powders (DP), Soluble Powders (SP), water Soluble Granules (SG), water dispersible granules (WG), Wettable Powders (WP), Granules (GR) (slow or fast release), soluble Solutions (SL), oil solutions (OL), ultra low volume liquids (UL), Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC), dispersible solutions (DC), emulsions (oil-in-water (EW) and water-in-oil (EO)), Microemulsions (ME), Suspensions (SC), aerosols, mist/smoke formulations, Capsule Suspensions (CS) and other suitable dosage forms well known to those skilled in the art.

Dusts (DP) can be prepared by mixing the fungicide/fungicides of the invention with one or more solid diluents (e.g. natural clays, kaolin, pyrophyllite, bentonite, alumina, montmorillonite, diatomaceous earths (kieselguhr), chalk, diatomaceous earths (diatomous earths), calcium and magnesium phosphates, sulphur, lime, starches, talc and other organic and inorganic solid carriers) and mechanically grinding the mixture to a fine powder.

Soluble Powders (SP) may be prepared by mixing the fungicide/fungicides with one or more water-soluble inorganic salts (e.g. sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate or magnesium sulphate) or one or more water-soluble organic solids (e.g. polysaccharides), and optionally with one or more wetting agents, one or more dispersing agents or mixtures of said adjuvants (to improve water dispersibility/solubility). The mixture was then ground to a fine powder. Similar compositions can also be granulated to form water-Soluble Granules (SG).

Wettable Powders (WP) may be prepared by mixing the fungicide/fungicides with one or more solid diluents or carriers, one or more wetting agents, and preferably one or more dispersing agents, and optionally one or more suspending agents (to facilitate dispersion in a liquid). The mixture was then ground to a fine powder. Similar compositions can also be granulated to form water dispersible granules (WG).

Granules (GR) may be formed by granulating a mixture of the fungicide/fungicides of the invention with one or more powdered solid diluents or carriers, or from a pre-formed semi-finished granule by absorbing the fungicide/fungicides of the invention (or a solution thereof, in a suitable agent) in a porous particulate material (e.g. pumice, attapulgite clay, fuller's earth, diatomaceous earth or ground corn cobs), or by adsorbing the fungicide/fungicides of the invention (or a solution thereof, in a suitable agent) on a hard core material (e.g. sand, silicate, mineral carbonate, sulphate or phosphate) and, if desired, drying. Agents commonly used to aid absorption or adsorption include solvents (e.g., aliphatic or aromatic petroleum-based solvents, alcohols, ethers, ketones, and esters) and stickers (e.g., polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl alcohols, dextrins, sugars, and vegetable oils). One or more other additives may also be included in the granules (e.g. an emulsifier, wetting agent or dispersant).

Dispersible agents (DC) can be prepared by dissolving the fungicides/fungicides of the invention in water or an organic solvent such as a ketone, alcohol or glycol ether. The solution may contain a surfactant (e.g. to improve water dilution or to prevent crystallisation in the spray tank).

Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) or oil-in-water Emulsions (EW) may be prepared by dissolving the fungicide/fungicides of the invention in an organic solvent, optionally containing one or more wetting agents, one or more emulsifying agents or a mixture of said agents. Suitable organic solvents for use in the emulsifiable concentrates include aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. alkylbenzenes or alkylnaphthalenes, examples being SOLVESSO 100, SOLVESSO150 and SOLVESSO 200; SOLVESSO being registered trade marks), ketones (e.g. cyclohexanone or methylcyclohexanone), alcohols (e.g. benzyl alcohol, furfuryl alcohol or butanol), N-alkylpyrrolidones (e.g. N-methylpyrrolidone or N-octylpyrrolidone), dimethyl amines of fatty acids (e.g. C)₈-C₁₀Fatty acid dimethylamine) and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Once water is added, the EC product can spontaneously emulsify to make an emulsion with sufficient stability to allow spray application by a suitable device. Preparation of an EW involves obtaining the fungicide/fungicides of the invention as a liquid (which may be melted at a suitable temperature, typically below 70 ℃, if it is not liquid at room temperature) or in solution (by dissolving it in a suitable solvent), and then emulsifying the resulting liquid or solution into water containing one or more SFAs under high shear to produce an emulsion. Suitable solvents for use in EWs include vegetable oils, chlorinated hydrocarbons (chlorobenzenes), aromatic solvents (e.g., alkylbenzenes or alkylnaphthalenes) and other suitable organic solvents that have low solubility in water.

Microemulsions (ME) may be prepared by mixing water with a mixture of one or more solvents and one or more SFAs to spontaneously produce a thermodynamically stable homogeneous liquid formulation. The fungicides/fungicides of the invention are initially present in the water or solvent/SFA mixture. Suitable solvents for use in ME include those described above for use in EC or EW. The ME may be an oil-in-water or water-in-oil system (the presence of which can be determined by conductivity measurements) and in the same formulation, the ME may be suitable for mixing water-soluble and oil-soluble pesticides. The ME is suitably diluted into water, which still remains a microemulsion or forms a conventional oil-in-water emulsion.

The Suspension Concentrate (SC) may comprise an aqueous or non-aqueous suspension of finely divided insoluble solid particles of the fungicide/fungicides of the invention. SCs can be prepared by ball milling or bead milling the fungicides/fungicides of the invention, optionally with one or more dispersants, in a suitable medium to produce a fine particle suspension of the compound. One or more wetting agents may be included in the composition, and a suspending agent may be included to reduce the rate of particle settling. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides (azoxystrobin) AmistarAnd (thiabendazole) TetoOr MertectA mixture of (a). Alternatively, the fungicide/fungicides of the invention can be dry milled and added to water containing the above agents to produce the desired end product.

Aerosols comprise the fungicides/fungicides of the invention and a suitable propellant (e.g. n-butane). The fungicide/fungicides of the present invention can also be dissolved or dispersed in a suitable medium (e.g., water or a water-dispersed liquid, such as n-propanol) to provide a composition for use in a non-pressurized, manual spray pump.

The fungicide/fungicide of the invention can be mixed with a smoke mixture in the dry state to form a composition suitable for generating smoke containing the compound in an enclosed space.

Capsules (CS) can be prepared in a similar way to the preparation of EW formulations but with an increased polymerisation stage, to obtain an aqueous dispersion of oil droplets, each of which is surrounded by a polymeric shell, and which contain the fungicide/fungicides of the invention, and optionally a carrier or diluent. The polymeric shell may be prepared by an interfacial polycondensation reaction or by a coacervation step. The compositions may provide controlled release of the fungicides/fungicides of the invention. The fungicides/fungicides of the present invention can also be formulated in biodegradable polymeric matrices to provide slow, controlled release of the compound.

The composition may include one or more additives to improve the properties of the composition (e.g., to improve wetting, retention, or distribution on a surface; or absorption into a surface). Such additives include surfactants, oil-based spray additives such as certain mineral or natural vegetable oils (e.g., soybean and rapeseed oils), and mixtures thereof with other bio-enhancing adjuvants (ingredients that may contribute to or modify the action of the fungicides/fungicides of the invention).

The compositions of the invention may comprise other compounds having biological activity, for example compounds having similar or complementary fungicidal activity, or having insecticidal and/or acaricidal and/or algicidal activity. The fungicide may be combined with other fungicides. Combinations with other fungicides can be used to control a wider range of fungi, which is particularly advantageous if there are a large number of species of fungi, or if some species are unknown.

The addition of other active ingredients may provide compositions with a broader spectrum of activity or improved persistence at the locus, synergistically increase the activity or compensate for the activity of the fungicides/fungicides of the invention (e.g. by increasing the speed of action or overcoming resistance), or help to overcome or prevent the development of resistance by the individual components.

Can be included in the bookExamples of fungicidal compounds in the compositions of the invention are AC 382042(N- (1-cyano-1, 2-dimethylpropyl) -2- (2, 4-diaminophenoxy) propionamide), acibenzolar-S-methyl, alanycarb, aldimorph, dichlofluanid (anilazine), epoxiconazole (azacohazole), azafenidin (azafenidin), benalaxyl (benalaxyl), benomyl (benomyl), benthiavalicarb (benthiavalicarb), biloxanil, bitertanol (bitertanol), blasticidin (blicidins), boscalid (boscalid) (a new name for nicoblin), bromuconazole (Bronopol), bupirimate (butimolate), pyrimethanil (pirimiphos), propiconazole (bucindomethacin), propiconazole (Bronopol), propiconazole (cartap (carbaryl), propiconazole (carbaryl (CGbenzathinil), carbendazim (chloride (carbapenem), carbendazim (396), carbendazim (carbachol), carbendazim (carbachol), CGA 41397, chlorfenapyr (chlormethionate), chlorofenazone, chlorothalonil (chlorothalonil), chlorozolinate, clozylon, copper-containing compounds such as copper chloride hydroxide, copperoxoxyquinone, copper sulfate, copper resinate, and Bordeaux mixture (Bordeaux mixture), cyprosulfamide (cyazofamid), cyazofamid (IKF-916), cyflufenamid (cyflufenamid), cymoxanil (cyazoxanil), cyproconazole (cyazofamid), procymidone (procydine), debarb (debarb), di-2-pyridyl disulfide 1, 1' -dioxide, benflufenamide (dichlorfluanid), diclorofoxamide (diclocymetrizole), fenamidone (debenzoquat), diclofenamidone (diclofenamidone), diclofenamidone (diclofenamidopropyl), diclofenamidone (diclofenamidone), diclofen, diclofenamidone (diclofenamidone), cymidone (clodinyl) and cymidone (diclofenamidone), cymidone (diclo, dimefluzole, dimeticonazole, dimethiophenol (dimethirimol), dimethomorph (dimethomorph), dimoxystrobin (dimoxystrobin), diniconazole (diniconazole), diniconazole (dinocap), dithianon (dithianon), Dithiocarbamates (dithiocarbanates), dodecyldimethylammonium chloride, dodemorph (dodemorph), dodine (dodine), doguadine, edifenphos (edifenphos), epoxiconazole (epoxyazozole), ethaboxam (ethaboxam), ethirimol (ethirimol), (Z) -N-benzyl-N ([ methyl (methyl-thioethyleneaminooxycarbonyl) ammonia)Base of]Thio) -beta-alanine ethyl ester, terrazole (etridiazole),Famoxadone, fenamidone (fenamidone), fenamidone (fenamidol), fenamidol (fenarimol), fenbuconazole (fenbuconazole), difuramide (fenfuram), fenhexamid (fenhexamid), fenpropamid (AC 382042), fenpropidin (fenpropidine), fenpropathrin (fenpropimorph), fenpropitin acetate (fentinate), fentin hydroxide (fentin hydroxide), ferbam (ferbam), ferimzone (ferimzone), fluazinam (fluazinam), flutolanil (fluetover), flumorphine (flumorph), flumetrazol (flumetrazol), flumetsulam (fluoromide), flumiclam (fluiroxolone), flumicloramide (flufenamidone), fluxastrobin (flufenflurazone), fluquinconazole (fluquinconazole), flusilazole (flufenamidone), flufenidone (fenflurazole (fenpyrazone), fenflurazone (fenpyroxim (fenpyrazone), flufenil (fenpyrazone (fenpyroxim), flufenil (fenpyroxafen-ethyl (fenpyroxafen), flufenidone (fenpyroxafen-ethyl (fenpyroxafen), flufenidone (fenpyroxafen), flufenidone (fenpyroxafen), fenflurazone (fenpyroxafen), fenflurazone (fenpyroxafen), fenflurazole), fenpyroxafen), fenflurazone (fen, Iminoctadine (iminoctadine), iminoctadine acetate (iminoctadine triacetate), 3-iodo-2-propynylbutylcarbamate (IBPC), ipconazole (ipconazole), iprobenfos (iprobenfos), iprodione (iprodione), iprovalicarb, isopropylbutylcarbamate, isoprothiolane (isoprothiolane), kasugamycin (kasugamycin), kresoxim-methyl (kresoxim-methyl), LY186054, LY211795, LY 248908, mancozeb (MONcozeb), maneb (manebem), MBT, mefenoxam (mefenoxam), mepanipyrim (mepanipyrim), mefenoxanil (mepanim), mefenoxanil (mefenoxanil), mefenoxyl (mefenoxyl), metiram (metiram triacetate), metiram (655), metiram-metiram (metiram), metiram (metiram-methyl-5), metiram (metiram-methyl carbamate), metiram (metiram-5, metiram-methyl (metiram), metiram (metiram-methyl-5), metiram (metiram, metiram, Myclobutanil (myclobutanil), NTN0301, neoaszin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothale-isoproyl, nuarimol, 2-p-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (Skane M8 Rohm)&Hass), FurfuranAmides (ourace), organic mercury compounds, dimoxystrobin (orysastrobin),oxadixyl (oxadixyl), oxasulfuron (oxasulfuron),Oxolinic acid (oxolinic acid),Imidazole (oxyponazole), carboxin (oxypyroxin), pefurazoate (pefurazoate), penconazole (penconazol), pencycuron (pencycuron), phenazine oxide (phenazine oxide), phosphorothioated, phthalein (phenazine), picoxystrobin (picoxystrobin), polyoxin (polyoxin D), metiram (polyram), probenazole (probenazole), prochloraz (prochloraz), prochloraz (procymidone), propamocarb (propamocarb), propamocarb hydrochloride (propamocarb), propineb (propineb), propiconazole (propinocacin), proquindox (propaquinone), pyriproxyfen (fenthifluzone), fenpyraclostrobin (fenpyroxylin), pyrifos (pyriproxyfen), pyribenzoxim (quindox), pyribenzoxim (quinacridone (sodium, pyriproxyfen (quindox), pyriproxyfen (quindox (pyriproxyfen (quindox), pyriproxyfen (pyriprox), pyriproxyfen (quindox), pyriproxyfen (quindox), pyrimethan (quindox (pyrimethan), pyrimethanil (quindox), pyrimethan (quindox, Silthiopham (silthiofam) (MON 65500), S-imazalil (S-imazalil), simeconazole (simeconazole), sipconazol, sodium pentachlorophenate, spiroxamine (spiroxamine), streptomycin (streptomycin), sulfur, tebuconazole (tebuconazole), phyllotretalam (tecloftalam), tetrachloronitrobenzene (tecnazene), tetraconazole (tetraconazole), thifluzamide (thifluzamide), 2- (thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole, thiophanate-methyl (thiophanate-methyl), thiram (tiadinil), timibenzoxazole (tiadinil), tolclofos-methyl (tolclofos-methyl), tolyfluo (tolyfluid), triadimefon (triadimefon), triadimenol (triadimenol), butyltriazazole (butiazole), thifluzamide (thiofluzamide (trifloxysulfame), thifluzamide (trifluon-methyl), triadimenol (triadimenol), triadimenol (butyl triazole (butyl), triazoxide (butyl imidazole), thiofenamide (triazoxide), triazoxide (triazoxide), triazoxide (triazTriazoxide (triazoxide), tricyclazole (tricyclazole), tridemorph (tridemorph), trifloxystrobin (trifloxystrobin), triflumizole (triflumizole), triforine (triforine), triticonazole (triticonazole), validamycin A (validamycin A), metam-sodium (vapam), vinclozolin (vinclozolin), XRD-563, zineb (zineb), ziram (zizam), zoxamide (zoxamide) and compounds of the formula:

in another aspect, the present invention provides a mixture for use in the present invention comprising as active ingredients (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) thiabendazole and (c) propiconazole, wherein the ingredients are present in synergistic amounts.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a mixture for use in the present invention comprising as active ingredients (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) fludioxonil and (c) propiconazole, wherein the ingredients are present in synergistic amounts.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a mixture for use in the present invention comprising (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) difenoconazole and (c) thiabendazole, wherein the fungicide is present in a synergistic amount.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a mixture for use in the present invention comprising (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) difenoconazole and (c) fludioxonil, wherein the fungicide is present in a synergistic amount.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a mixture for use in the present invention comprising (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) thiabendazole and (c) fludioxonil, wherein the fungicide is present in a synergistic amount.

In another aspect, the invention provides a mixture for use in the invention comprising (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) difenoconazole and (c) propiconazole, wherein the fungicides are present in a synergistic amount.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a mixture for use in the present invention comprising (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) propiconazole, wherein the fungicide is present in a synergistic amount.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a mixture for use in the present invention comprising (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) fludioxonil, wherein the fungicide is present in a synergistic amount.

In another aspect, the invention provides a mixture for use in the invention comprising (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) difenoconazole, wherein the fungicide is present in a synergistic amount.

In a particular embodiment, the strobilurin fungicide is azoxystrobin.

Dyes may also be included in the composition. This can be used to identify treated wallboard from untreated wallboard. This provides a simple visual identifier for warehouse workers and construction workers when the wall panel is new. Dyes can also be used to identify whether a fungicide has been applied to an area when the composition is applied to an already installed wallboard, for example when sprayed over a large area. This is advantageous for the applicator to see where the composition has been applied, especially when multiple operators are applying, or when the application process has been performed for several days. This also makes it easy to inspect so that the administrator and inspector can see what has been processed. The depth of the color can also be used to indicate the amount of fungicide applied, especially when applied to the wallboard surface. The depth of the color may be visually evaluated, or a colorimeter may be utilized.

The invention further provides a building containing the wallboard. In a particular embodiment, the building is a temporary building. In another embodiment, the building is a permanent building. In yet another embodiment, the building comprises a plurality of the above-described wall panels.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising as active ingredients the fungicides (a) azoxystrobin and (b) thiabendazole and (c) fludioxonil, wherein the fungicides are present in a synergistic amount in the composition.

In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide in a method of controlling fungal growth on wallboard.

In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of a fungicidally effective amount of a composition comprising as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide to prepare a fungicidally treated wallboard.

In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of a fungicidally effective amount of a composition comprising as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof.

The present invention still further provides the use as described above, wherein the strobilurin fungicide is azoxystrobin. In a still further embodiment, the present invention provides the use as described above, wherein the strobilurin fungicide is picoxystrobin.

In another aspect, the invention provides a kit (kit) containing a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and wallboard, and a means of applying the fungicide to the wallboard.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising a fungicidally effective amount of a synergistic composition and wallboard and means for applying the fungicide to the wallboard, the composition comprising as active ingredients: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising an effective fungicidal amount of azoxystrobin and wallboard, and a means for treating the wallboard with said azoxystrobin.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising an effective fungicidal amount of azoxystrobin and thiabendazole, and a wallboard, and a means for treating the wallboard with the azoxystrobin and the thiabendazole.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition suitable for treating wallboard comprising, as active ingredients, synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition suitable for treating wallboard, the composition consisting of: an effective amount of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof, and a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant. In a particular embodiment, the composition consists of azoxystrobin and thiabendazole together with a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant. In another embodiment, the composition consists of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole and fludioxonil together with a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of protecting wood from infection by coriolus versicolor (Coniophora puteana) comprising treating said wood with a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of preventing fungal infestation causing wet rot (wet-rot) of wood, the method comprising treating the wood with a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for preventing and/or treating the growth/infestation of phanerochaete simplex (Coniophora puteana) on wood, which method comprises treating said wood with a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide.

The present invention further provides a method as described above wherein the strobilurin fungicide is azoxystrobin.

The present invention further provides a method as described above, wherein the treating further comprises treating with a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising, as active ingredients, synergistic amounts of: (ii) (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof, and a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant. In a particular embodiment, the composition consists of azoxystrobin and thiabendazole together with a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant. In another embodiment, the composition consists of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole and fludioxonil together with a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition suitable for treating wallboard comprising, as active ingredients, synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) thiabendazole.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition suitable for treating wallboard consisting of synergistic amounts of: (a) strobilurin or strobilurin fungicide and (b) thiabendazole together with a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant. In a particular embodiment, the composition consists of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole and fludioxonil together with a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition suitable for treating wood comprising a fungicidally effective amount of a composition comprising as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition suitable for treating wood consisting of synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof, and a carrier and/or an adjuvant.

The present invention still further provides a composition as described above, wherein the strobilurin fungicide is azoxystrobin.

Suitable carriers and auxiliaries may be solid or liquid and are, for example, natural or regenerated minerals, solvents, dispersants, wetting agents, tackifiers, thickeners, binders or fertilizers. They are expediently formulated in known manner to form, for example, emulsifiable concentrates, coatable pastes, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granules or capsules, for example capsules encapsulated in a polymer. The application method is selected according to the prevailing circumstances, such as spraying, atomizing, dusting, scattering, coating or pouring, on the basis of the nature of the composition.

The above formulations can be prepared in known manner, typically by intimately mixing, grinding and/or extruding the fungicide/fungicides of the invention with an extruding agent, for example a solvent or a solid or liquid carrier, and, if desired, one or more surface-active compounds (surfactants).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing and/or treating fungal growth/infestation on paper, the method comprising treating the paper with a composition comprising as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a paper product comprising a composition comprising, as active ingredients, synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising, as active ingredients, synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the paper product comprises azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the paper product comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for preventing and/or treating fungal growth/infestation in heat exchange systems, the method comprising treating the system with a composition comprising, as active ingredients, synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a cooling lubricant comprising a composition comprising, as active ingredients, synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil.

The synergistic fungicidal mixtures according to the invention can also be used for the protection and/or treatment of cooling and heating systems, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and parts of production plants, for example in cooling water circuits.

The synergistic composition may be applied to the above materials in the manner described above, and the fungicide may be applied in the proportions shown in the examples.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing and/or treating fungal growth/infestation on building materials, the method comprising treating the materials with a fungicidally effective amount of a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing and/or treating growth/infestation of fungi on building materials, the method comprising treating the materials with a fungicidally effective amount of a composition comprising as active ingredients synergistic amounts of: (a) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide and (b) a fungicide selected from the group consisting of: (bi) thiabendazole; (bii) difenoconazole; (biii) propiconazole; (biv) fludioxonil or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin and thiabendazole. In another embodiment, the composition comprises azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil. The synergistic composition may be applied to building materials in the manner described above, and the fungicide may be applied in the proportions shown in the examples.

In a particular embodiment, the strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide of the present invention is azoxystrobin.

"construction material" refers to a material used for construction and the like. In particular, building materials include structural lumber, doors, cabinets, storage units, carpeting, especially natural fiber carpeting such as wool and linen, paint, plastic, wood (including engineered wood) and wood plastic composites. In addition, building materials include adhesives, sealants, connecting materials and links, and insulating materials. In a particular embodiment, "building material" refers to structural timber. In another embodiment, "building material" refers to engineered wood. In another embodiment, "building material" refers to plastic. Plastics include plastic polymers and copolymers including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, butyl rubber, epoxies, fluoropolymers, isoprene, nylon, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylates, polymethyl methacrylate, polyurethane, polybutylene terephthalate, polyether sulfone, polyphenyleneoxide, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyphtatamide, polysulene, polyester, silicone, styrene butadiene rubber, and combinations of polymers. In another embodiment, "building material" refers to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In another embodiment, "building material" refers to Polyurethane (PU). In another embodiment, "building material" refers to paint. In another embodiment, "building material" refers to a Wood Plastic Composite (WPC). Wood plastic composites are well known in the art. Information on WPC can be found in the following publications-Craig elements-Forrest Products journal. June2002, Vol.52, No. 6, pp.10-18.

"wood" is understood to mean wood and wood products, for example: derived wood products, boards, plywood, particle board, laminated beams, oriented strand board, hardboard, and particle board (particle board), tropical wood, structural wood, wood beams, rail sleepers, materials making up bridges, docks, vehicles made from wood, boxes, pallets, containers, utility poles, wood fences, wood insulation materials, windows and doors made from wood, plywood, particle board, joinery, or wood products used quite extensively in building joinery for building houses or decks, or in general in house building, including engineering wood, structures, and carpentry.

The method of the invention may be used to prevent and/or treat the growth/infestation of fungi as described herein. Fungi can be controlled by treating the fungi or building materials with the fungicide/synergistic compositions of the present invention in a convenient manner. Examples of methods by which fungi or construction materials can be treated with the fungicides of the invention are: by containing the fungicide in a building material, by absorbing, penetrating, treating (in a closed pressure or vacuum system) the material with the fungicide, by impregnating or soaking the building material, or by coating the building material, for example by curtain coating, roller, brush, spray, mist, dusting, broadcasting or drenching.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing a treated building material, which method comprises applying to the material a fungicidally effective amount of a fungicide/fungicide of the invention, thereby preventing and/or inhibiting fungal contamination of the material.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of retreating a treated building material, which comprises applying to the material a fungicidally effective amount of a fungicide/fungicide of the present invention, thereby preventing and/or inhibiting fungal contamination of the material.

The invention still further provides a building material obtainable by the above process.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a building material treated with a fungicidally effective amount of the fungicide/fungicides of the present invention to prevent fungal growth on the material.

The invention further provides a building containing the building material. In a particular embodiment, the building is a temporary building. In another embodiment, the building is a permanent building.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a fungicide/fungicides according to the invention in a method for the treatment of building materials to prevent and/or treat the growth and/or infestation of the above mentioned fungi on said materials.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising the fungicide/fungicides of the invention and a means for applying said fungicide/fungicides to a building material.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising the fungicide/fungicides of the invention and a building material and a means for applying said fungicide/fungicides to said building material.

The present invention still further provides a method as described above, wherein the fungus comprises Phanerochaete simplex (Coniophora puteana). In a particular embodiment, the method prevents and/or treats the growth/infestation of dermatan chrysosporium (Coniophora puteana). In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method as described above, wherein the fungicidally effective amount comprises a fungicide in an amount effective to prevent and/or treat the growth or infestation of Phanerochaete simplex (Coniophora puteana).

In particular embodiments, the fungicide/fungicides can be applied using the above-described tools. In particular, the fungicide may be applied with a tool selected from the group consisting of: rollers, brushes, sprayers, atomizers, tools for dusting, broadcasting or watering.

The invention will be described with reference to the following examples.

Examples

Example 1

The wallboard paper samples were treated with azoxystrobin/thiabendazole using ASTM test method No. ASTM D3273-00.

ASTM D3273-00, Standard test method for resisting mold growth on undercoating surfaces in environmental Chambers. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, POBox C700, West Conshooken, PA 19428-.

The method involves suspending the paper sheet in an environmental chamber maintained at 32+/-1 degrees Celsius at 95-98% relative humidity. The floor of the room was provided with a tray of soil inoculated with Brevibacterium (Aureobasidium pullulans) (ATCC 9348), Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275) and Penicillium sp (ATCC 9849) according to the method of the present invention. The organism sporulates in the soil and provides a continuous inoculum. After a suitable period (in this case 90 days), growth was assessed by visual evaluation of the surface in comparison to a set of photographic standards.

Table 1 below provides the average values obtained. The application column relates to the amount of active ingredient applied, in pounds of active ingredient applied to the paper per ton of paper. The paper test samples were evaluated for damage caused by fungal growth. The ratings ranged from 0 to 10, where 0 is complete failure and 10 is no failure. Assessments were made at 60, 90 and 120 days after inoculation.

results-Table 1

Example 2

Comparing strobilurin fungicide (azoxystrobin) with other fungicides;

1. propagation

A maternal culture (Stem cultures) of Phanerochaete simplex (Coniophoraceae) was prepared by propagating the fungus on a growth medium comprising yeast extract (10g), glycerol (20ml), magnesium sulphate (0.5g), sodium nitrate (6.0g), potassium chloride (0.5g), potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (1.5g), agar (20g) in distilled water (980 ml).

2. Test of

Fungicides were added at 5000, 100, 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01mg of fungicide per liter of growth medium (as described above) to obtain 5 different growth medium compositions for each fungicide. A pellet of mycelium was removed from the parent culture species and inverted into a petri dish containing the fungicide-supplemented agar.

3. Evaluation of

Radial mycelial growth of the fungus was determined separately on all test dishes. Results are expressed as% activity relative to radial growth on agar without fungicide.

4. Analysis of

For each fungicide, a graph is plotted as percent activity against the concentration of fungicide in the growth medium. From this figure, the concentration of fungicide required to achieve 80% activity was calculated. These numbers are shown in the results table.

results-Table 2

1. Results of Phanerochaete simplex (Coniophora puteana)

Example 3

A mixture of the strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin with other fungicides.

The following compounds and formulations were used:

compounds were assayed at different amounts, i.e. test No. 006-: (100, 50, 12.5, 3.1, 1.6, 0.8, 0.2, 0.05, 0mgai/l), and test No. 015-: 200, 100, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.12, 1.6, 0.8, 0.4, 0.2 mg/l.

Test organisms and media used:

propagation of different fungi:

alternaria tenuissima (DSM 63360), Penicillium chrysogenum (DSM 895), Stachybotrys chartarum (DSM2144), Aspergillus niger (DSM 63263), Aspergillus versicolor (DSM 1943) and Brevibacterium pullulans (ATCC 15233) were each cultured on PDA medium to inhibit sporulation. Spore suspensions of each fungus were prepared. A spore concentration of about 100,000 spores/ml was used.

The test methods used were: liquid culture assays were performed on 24-well plates.

For the individual (i.e. single) active ingredient test, the formulated fungicide (100ul) was injected into 24-well plates and 100ul distilled water was added. 800ul of 0.3% AE medium was then added to the plates. The spore suspension of the particular fungus was added to the medium previously containing about 100,000 spores/ml. The 24-well plate was sealed and cultured at 24 ℃.

According to the growth performance of each organism, evaluation was made when the surface of the standard well was covered with the mycelium after 3 to 6 days. Evaluation was performed by measuring fungal growth compared to standard growth. Results are expressed as% activity relative to the standard (0-100% growth value). The results were then converted to% growth inhibition.

For the synergy assay of the 2 substance mixtures, 100ul of each fungicide was injected into 24-well plates and 800ul of 0.3% AE medium containing spore suspension was added. The different proportions of the amounts of the 2 fungicides were determined simultaneously.

And (3) analysis:

for mixtures of different fungicides, the synergistic effect was calculated based on the Colby formula, which is described below:

synergistic effects exist as long as the combined effect of the active ingredients of the compound of formula I and one or more compounds of formula II is greater than the sum of the effects of the individual active ingredients applied separately.

For a given combination of two fungicides, the desired fungicidal action We can be calculated by the following formula (see COLBY, S.R. "stabilizing synthetic and cementitious responses of herbicide combinations", Weeds (Weeds)15, pages 20-22; 1967):

We＝X+[Y×(100-X)/100]

wherein:

activity% of treatment with the compound of formula I at the amount of X relative to untreated control (═ 0%).

Y ═ activity% of the treatment with the compound of formula II in the amount of Y relative to the untreated control.

We ═ the expected activity after treatment with the compound of formula I and the compound of formula II at x + y kg of active ingredient (% activity relative to untreated control).

If the actually observed activity is better than the expected value We (observed activity/expected activity coefficient > 1.2), then there is a synergistic effect. The synergistic effect of the combination of the active ingredient AZO with the above active ingredients is illustrated in the following results.

Results

All amounts below are expressed in mgai/l (i.e. ppm).

Mixture of azoxystrobin and fludioxonil

Mixture of azoxystrobin and thiabendazole

Mixture of azoxystrobin and propiconazole

Mixture of azoxystrobin and difenoconazole

Example 4

A mixture of azoxystrobin, thiabendazole and fludioxonil.

The following compounds and formulations were used:

all compounds were assayed at 8 doses, namely 006-: (100, 50, 12.5, 3.1, 1.6, 0.8, 0.2, 0.05, 0mgai/l), 015-2005: 200, 100, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.12, 1.6, 0.8, 0.4, 0.2mg/l

Test organisms and media used:

propagation of different fungi:

for test 006-: alternaria tenuissima (DSM 63360), Penicillium chrysogenum (DSM 895), Cladospora cladosporides (DSM62121), Aspergillus niger (DSM 63263), Aspergillus versicolor (DSM 1943) and Aureobasidium pullulans (ATCC 15233) were each cultured on PDA medium to inhibit sporulation. Spore suspensions of each fungus were prepared. A spore concentration of about 100,000 spores/ml was used.

For test 015-2006: alternaria tenuissima (DSM 63360), Penicillium pinophilum (CBS342.61), Gliocladium virens (DSM1963), Aspergillus niger (Aspergillus niger) (DSM 63263), Stachybotrys chartarum (DSM2144) and Aureobasidium pullulans (ATCC 15233) were cultured on PDA medium, respectively, to inhibit sporulation. Spore suspensions of each fungus were prepared. A spore concentration of about 100,000 spores/ml was used.

The test methods used were: liquid culture assays were performed on 24 and 48 well plates, respectively.

For the determination of 3 substance mixtures, each formulated fungicide (100ul) was injected into 24 and 48 well plates, respectively. 700ul of 0.3% AE medium was then added to the plates. The spore suspension of the particular fungus was added to the medium previously containing about 100,000 spores/ml. For the determination of the individual compounds, equal amounts of distilled water were added instead of the formulated fungicidal amount of the combination partner. The plates were then sealed and incubated at 24 ℃.

According to the growth performance of each organism, evaluation was made when the surface of the standard well was covered with the mycelium after 3 to 6 days. Evaluation was performed by measuring fungal growth compared to standard growth. Results are expressed as% activity relative to the standard (0-100% growth value). The results were then converted to% growth inhibition.

And (3) analysis:

for mixtures of different fungicides, the synergistic effect was calculated based on the Colby formula, which is described above.

Results

All amounts as follows are expressed in mgai/l (i.e. ppm):

test No. 006-

Test No. 015-

Example 5

Hand sheets (Hand sheets) efficacy testing

Preparing a hand-made plate:

hand-made boards were made using 80% OCC pulp concentrate (old creped cardboard) + 20% ONP (old newspaper) pulp concentrate plus other ingredients. The fungicide was added by mixing during preparation and the hand-made plate was subsequently dried.

The following compounds and formulations may be used

For efficacy testing, test organisms were grown on PDA media to inhibit sporulation, respectively. Spore suspensions of each fungus were prepared (spore concentration about 10)⁶In ml). Organisms which may be used include Chaetomium globosum (ATCC 6205), Penicillium citrinum (ATCC 9849), Stachybotrys chartarum (ATCC16026) and Aspergillus niger (DSM 6275) as pure cultures, also in the form of mixed inocula. Mineral agar (according to ASTM G21-96) can be used as the test medium. Prior to inoculation, the hand plates were divided into 5 pieces, each placed in a different tray, and then inoculated with fungi. The samples were then incubated at 30 ℃ for 28 days. About 10 days after inoculation, a Pre-assessment (Pre-reading) of the sample can be performed.

The treatment activity can be assessed visually using a rating system of 0-100% growth inhibition of fungal growth. For mixtures of different fungicides, the synergism can be calculated based on the above Colby formula.

Claims (14)

1. A composition comprising as active ingredients the fungicides (a) azoxystrobin and (b) thiabendazole and (c) fludioxonil, wherein said fungicides are present in a synergistic amount in said composition.

2. The composition according to claim 1, which is suitable for treating wallboard.

3. A paper product comprising the composition of claim 1.

4. A wallboard treated with the composition of claim 1.

5. A wallboard according to claim 4 wherein the fungicide is contained in the gypsum core.

6. A wallboard according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the fungicide is included in the paper coating of the wallboard.

7. A wallboard according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the fungicide is applied after the wallboard is made.

8. A wallboard according to claim 6 wherein the fungicide is applied after the wallboard is made.

9. A building material treated with the composition of claim 1, wherein the building material is structural wood, engineered wood, plastic, paint, and wood plastic composites.

10. The building material of claim 9, wherein the building material is polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane.

11. A method of preventing and/or treating growth and/or infestation of fungi on wallboard comprising treating the wallboard with a composition of claim 1.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the fungicide is included in the paper during the manufacture of the paper.

13. A method of preventing wood wet rot caused by fungal infestation comprising treating the wood with the composition of claim 1.

14. A method for preventing and/or treating the growth/infestation of phanerochaete simplex on wood, which comprises treating said wood with a composition according to claim 1.