WO2024079617A1

WO2024079617A1 - Composition for masking an odor coming from plant protection products

Info

Publication number: WO2024079617A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/060154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent DARTHOUT; Elena ERMOLINA; Mickael IGLESIAS
Original assignee: Certis Belchim Bv
Priority date: 2022-10-10
Filing date: 2023-10-10
Publication date: 2024-04-18

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents for masking the odor coming from plant protection products. Preferably, this composition comprises two or more substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids. The invention also relates to a method for preparing this composition. The present invention also relates to a plant protection product that comprises these masking agents and the use of such plant protection products with masking agents in agriculture and horticulture, preferably in public spaces.

Description

COMPOSITION FOR MASKING AN ODOR ORIGINATING FROM PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

PRIOR ART

In agriculture and horticulture, products are often used that give off an unpleasant odor. This odor is chiefly connected to the use of plant protection products.

Active ingredients comprising organophosphate, among other substances, such as malathion, dimethoate, and others are known to have an unpleasant odor and to give off a specific odor during preparation of the spray solution and application thereof by the end user. Certain fatty acids, such as pelargonic acid, are also known for giving off an unpleasant odor.

The odor of a pesticide-coming from the active ingredients or from one or more co-formulants- can be an indicator of the danger associated with the product and warn end users and neighbors about adjacent surfaces treated with the pesticide.

For this reason, masking agents, i.e. additives that make it possible to mask or eliminate undesired odors, are added to the concentrated product-usually during the production of the formulated product-or to the spray mix prior to application to the surfaces to be treated.

Odor maskers are widely used in different market sectors, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Different products are used to eliminate or minimize undesired odors of products used in these applications.

However, there is still a need for substances to minimize the odor of plant protection products. This applies in particular to public spaces such as surfaces used as sports fields and recreation parks where large numbers of people are commonly present and where it is usually pleasant to relax. In such places, the presence of unpleasant odors as a result of plant protection and weed control is unacceptable.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention and the embodiments thereof serve to provide a solution for the above- mentioned drawbacks of plant protection products. For this purpose, the present invention relates to a composition for masking an odor of plant protection products that is often perceived as highly unpleasant.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least two substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids for masking an odor coming from plant protection products.

More particularly, the present invention provides for the use as described above, wherein the organic acid or an ester or salt thereof is selected from the list comprising undecylenic acid, isoamyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate and ethyl 2-methylpentanoate.

More particularly, the present invention provides for the use as described above, wherein the aliphatic and aromatic alcohol is selected from the list comprising hexanol, e.g. comprising 1- hexanol, 2-hexanol and 3-hexanol, 2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol, 2,6-dimethyl-2-octenol and phenyl ethanol.

More particularly, the present invention provides for the use as described above, wherein the aliphatic and aromatic aldehyde is selected from the list comprising trans-2-hexenal and phenylacetaldehyde.

More particularly, the present invention provides for the use as described above, wherein the composition of masking agents is an essential oil selected from the list comprising anise oil, basil oil, bergamot oil, cananga oil, cedar oil, lemon oil, lemon grass oil, cypress oil, pine oil, eucalyptus oil, frankincense oil, ginger oil, geranium oil, jasmine oil, chamomile oil, cardamom oil, clove oil, laurel oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, tangerine oil, mint oil, nutmeg oil, orange blossom oil, patchouli oil, peppermint oil, grapefruit oil, rosemary oil, rose oil, rosewood oil, sage oil, sandalwood oil, clary sage oil, orange oil, thyme oil, verbena oil and ylang ylang oil.

More particularly, the present invention provides for the use as described above, wherein the terpene or terpenoid is selected from the list comprising monoterpenes and terpenoids, e.g. the list comprising pinene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, cis-pinane, trans-pinane, myrcene, limonene, alpha-ocimene, beta-ocimene, cis-ocimene, ocimene, delta-3-carene, sabinene, camphene, phellandrene, alpha-phellandrene, beta-phellandrene, c-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-terpinolene, beta-terpinolene, gamma-terpinolene, trans-alpha-terpinolene, delta- terpinolene, anethole, estragole, chavicol, safrole, fenchol, 2-pinonol, menthol, geraniol, nerol, linalool, eucalyptol, borneol, isoborneol, camphor and carvone. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents as described herein wherein the odor comes from a plant protection product comprising at least a C8, C9 or C10 fatty acid, or an ester or salt thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

More particularly, the present invention provides for the use as described above, wherein the odor comes from a plant protection product comprising at least caprylic acid or pelargonic acid. More particularly, the present invention provides for the use as described above, wherein the composition comprises at least orange oil.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition of masking agents comprises at least three or more substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids for masking an odor coming from plant protection products.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for the use as described above, wherein the amount of an individual substance in the composition of masking agents is in the range of at least 0.01 wt% to at most 15 wt%, preferably from 0.05 to 12.5 wt%, from 0.1 to 10 wt%, or from 1 to 8 wt%, from 2 to 7 wt%, from 3 to 6 wt%, more preferably from 1 .5 to 7.5 wt%, from 1.95 to 6 wt%, from 2 to 5 wt%, most preferably from 0.1 to less than 0.5 wt%, from 0.5 to less than 2.5 wt%, from 2 to less than 8 wt%, from 0.5 to less than 5 wt%, from 5 to less than 15 wt%, wherein 100 wt% is the total amount of the composition of masking agents.

More particularly, the present invention provides for a method for masking an odor coming from plant protection products which comprises at least the steps of 1) mixing at least two masking agents with the plant protection product, preferably a plant protection product comprising at least caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and 2) preparing an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, an oil dispersion (OD), a microemulsion (ME), an aqueous solution (SL) or a ready-to-use solution (AL) of the at least two masking agents with the plant protection product, with the plant protection product preferably comprising at least caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or the mixture comprising at least two or more thereof; wherein the at least two masking agents are selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids.

More particularly, the present invention provides for a method as described above wherein the amount of masking agents added to the plant protection product, preferably to caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, is in the range of 0.1 to 10 g, preferably from 0.2 to 9 g, or from 0.3 to 8 g, 0.4 to 7 g, more preferably from 0.5 to 6 g, from 0.75 to 4 g, from 0.95 to 3 g, from 1 to 2.5 g, most preferably from 0.1 to 1 g, from 0.5 to 3 g, or from 1 to 2 g of masking agents per 100 g of the plant protection product, preferably caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or the mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

More particularly, the present invention provides for a method as described above, wherein the concentration of the caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof with the masking agents in the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil- in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), the aqueous solution (SL) or the ready-to-use solution (AL) is in the range of 20 to 800 g/L, preferably from 25 to 750 g, or from 50 to 700 g/L, more preferably from 100 to 650 g or from 200 to 200 g, or from 300 to 550 g/L, most preferably from 350 to 550 g, or from 400 to 500 g/L.

More particularly, the present invention provides for a method as described above wherein the amount of the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), and the aqueous solution (SL) is in the range of at least 2.5 wt% to at most 25 wt%, preferably from 4 to 20 wt% or from 5 to 15 wt%, more preferably from 6 to 12 wt% or from 7 to 10 wt%, most preferably from 7.5 to 8.5 wt%, wherein 100 wt% is the total amount of water with the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), and the aqueous solution (SL).

More particularly, the present invention provides for a method as described above wherein the odor comes from a plant protection product comprising at least caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for the use of a composition comprising caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof and at least two masking agents selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids, in the agricultural and horticultural industry.

More particularly, the present invention provides for a use of a composition as described herein in the construction and maintenance of gardens and public spaces comprising sports fields, amusement parks, city parks, nature parks, recreational parks, vacation parks, public parks, industrial sites and railroads. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 : Shows the setup of a stainless steel test chamber with a 40 L Nalophen headspace attached to it.

Fig. 2: Shows how a special device for odor detection (Pure Sniff) can be used.

Fig. 3 : Shows the results for general odor intensity for PLA, PLA + orange oil, and PLA + Composition 1 . A significant difference (p = 0.038) was demonstrated between pelargonic acid (PLA) alone and pelargonic acid (PLA) with orange oil.

Fig. 4: Shows the results for specific pelargonic acid intensity for PLA, PLA + orange oil, and PLA + Composition 1. A significant difference (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02) was demonstrated between pelargonic acid alone and pelargonic acid with orange oil or pelargonic acid with Composition 1.

Fig. 5 : Shows the results for hedonic tone for PLA, PLA + orange oil, and PLA + Composition 1.

Fig 6 : Shows the odor profile for PLA, PLA + orange oil, and PLA + Composition 1.

Fig. 7 Shows 4 panels A to D, showing in each case the caprylic acid control sample at left and the caprylic acid + Composition 1 sample at right.

Fig. 7A: Shows the results for general odor intensity for caprylic acid and caprylic acid + Composition 1.

Fig. 7B: Shows the results for specific odor intensity of Composition 1 .

Fig. 7C: Shows the results for specific caprylic acid intensity of the caprylic acid control sample and the caprylic acid + Composition 1 sample. A significant difference (p = 0.002) was demonstrated between caprylic acid alone and caprylic acid with Composition 1.

Fig. 7D: Shows the results for hedonic tone for caprylic acid and caprylic acid + Composition 1.

Fig. 8: Shows the odor profile for caprylic acid and caprylic acid + Composition 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present composition and the present method of the invention are described, it should be clearly stated that the invention is not limited to specific compositions, the use thereof, and the methods or combinations described, as such compositions, the use thereof and the methods and combinations can of course vary. It should also be clearly stated that the terminology used in this application is not intended to be restrictive, as the scope of the present invention is exclusively limited by the attached claims.

As used in this application, the singular forms “the,” “a” and “an” include both the singular and plural designations, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprising,” “comprises” and “composed of,” as used in this application, are synonymous with “including,” “with the inclusion of” or “comprising,” “comprises” and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude any additional, unspecified members, components or method steps. It should be clearly stated that the terms “comprising,” “comprises” and “composed of” as used in this application include the terms “consisting of" and “consists of.” The listing of numerical ranges with end points comprises all numbers and fractions falling within the corresponding ranges, including the listed end points.

The values used herein for referring to a measurable value, such as a parameter, an amount, a duration and the like, are intended to comprise variations of ± 10% or less, preferably ± 5% or less, more preferably ± 1 % or less and even more preferably ± 0.1 % or less from the specified value, provided that such variations are suitable for implementation in the described invention. It should be clearly stated that the value to which the modifier “about” or “approximately” refers is itself specific and is preferably described.

Although terms “one or more” or “at least one,” such as one or more members or at least one member of a group of members are clear per se, by way of further explanation, the terms include a reference to one of said members or to any two or more of said members, such as any value > 3, > 4, > 5, > 6 or > 7 etc. of said members and to all said members. The symbol “>” means greater than or equal to, e.g. > 3 means three (3) or more.

All references cited in the present description are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. In particular, the teaching of all references specifically referred to in this application is incorporated by reference.

Unless otherwise defined, all of the terms used in describing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as that understood by a person with average knowledge of the field to which this invention belongs. For the purpose of further guidance, the definitions of the terms are incorporated in order to better understand the teaching of the present invention.

In the following passages, various aspects of the invention are defined in greater detail. Any aspect that is defined as such may be combined with any other aspect or with all other aspects unless the contrary is clearly indicated. In particular, any feature that is indicated as being preferable or preferred can be combined with any other feature or with all other features that are indicated as being preferable or preferred.

A reference in this description to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a specific feature, specific structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is incorporated into at least one embodiment of the present invention. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in different places in this description thus do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, but this may be the case. Moreover, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be combined in a suitable manner in one or more embodiments, as should be clear to the person skilled in the art from the description. Although certain embodiments described in this application comprise some features incorporated into other embodiments and some that are not, combinations of features of different embodiments are nonetheless intended to fall within the scope of the invention and to form separate embodiments, as should be clear to the person skilled in the art. In the attached claims, for example, each of the claimed embodiments can be used in any random combination.

In the present description of the invention, reference is made to the corresponding figures, which constitute a part thereof, and wherein results of specific embodiments are shown, exclusively for explanatory purposes, in which the invention is and can be put into practice. The following detailed description should therefore not be understood to be restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

The masking of an unpleasant odor of plant protection products in use thereof is primarily necessary in places frequented by the public.

For this reason, masking agents, more specifically additives which are added to the plant protection product and make it possible to mask or eliminate undesired odors, can be added to the concentrated product-usually during production of the formulated product before application thereof to the surfaces to be treated. Alternatively, the masking agents can also be added to a dilute solution of the plant protection product before application thereof to the surfaces to be treated.

The object of the invention is to provide an alternative to the plant protection products currently used in order to prevent these products from leaving an unpleasant odor.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least one substance selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids, for masking an odor coming from plant protection products.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least two, preferably at least three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven or twelve substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids for masking an odor coming from plant protection products. In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least one aliphatic or aromatic alcohol and at least one aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least one aliphatic or aromatic alcohol and at least one terpene or terpenoid.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least one aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde and at least one terpene or terpenoid.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least one aliphatic or aromatic alcohol, at least one aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde and at least one terpene or terpenoid.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least one organic acid or an ester or salt thereof, at least one aliphatic or aromatic alcohol, at least one aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde and at least one terpene or terpenoid.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition of masking agents as described herein wherein the odor is unpleasant or a bad-smelling or foul-smelling odor. The odor of substances can be perceived and described as explained in the examples by a panel of odor experts who are trained to recognize and describe odors.

It was unexpectedly found that it is possible to mask unpleasant odors caused by plant protection products, such as by insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, biocides, algicides, and herbicides, with non-restrictive examples being caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, and/or pyridate, by adding specific substances, also referred to as masking agents, to the active ingredient of plant protection products during their preparation or formulation, or on preparation of the dilution immediately prior to the use on the surfaces to be treated.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least an organic acid or an ester or salt thereof selected from the list comprising undecylenic acid, isoamyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate and ethyl 2-methylpentanoate, preferably undecylenic acid or an ester or salt thereof.

Undecylenic acid is an organic compound having the formula CH2=CH(CH2)8COOH. It is an unsaturated fatty acid. Undecylenic acid has the appearance of a colorless oil. Undecylenic acid is primarily used for the production of Nylon 11 and in the treatment of fungal infections of the skin, but it is also an intermediate in the production of many pharmaceuticals, products for personal hygiene, cosmetics and perfumes. Salts and esters of undecylenic acid are known as undecylenates.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least isoamyl acetate. Isoamyl acetate, also known as isopentyl acetate, is an organic compound with a typical strong odor that is associated with bananas, but also sometimes with pear. For this reason, it is widely used as a fragrance and flavoring in products that must taste of bananas, such as sweets. The substance has the appearance of a clear, colorless viscous liquid that is only sparingly soluble in water, but is readily soluble in most organic solvents.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least undecylenic acid or a salt or ester thereof and isoamyl acetate.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least an aliphatic and aromatic alcohol selected from the list comprising hexanol, e.g. comprising 1- hexanol, 2-hexanol and 3-hexanol, 2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol, 2,6-dimethyl-2-octenol and phenyl ethanol.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least hexanol. Hexanol is an organic alcohol with a six-carbon chain and the condensed structural formula CH3(CH2)SOH. This colorless liquid is sparingly soluble in water, but miscible with diethyl ether and ethanol. Hexanol is used in the perfume industry.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least isoamyl acetate and hexanol.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least undecylenic acid or a salt or ester thereof, isoamyl acetate and hexanol.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least an aliphatic and aromatic aldehyde selected from the list comprising trans-2-hexenal and phenylacetaldehyde.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least trans-2- hexenal. Trans-2-hexenal is an organic compound that belongs to the aldehydes. It is a colorless liquid. It has a sharp, green-leafy odor. On dilution, this becomes a pleasant applelike odor.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least isoamyl acetate, hexanol and trans-2-hexenal.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least the use of hexanol and trans-2-hexenal. In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least one essential oil. An essential oil is itself a composition of masking agents, usually comprising terpenes and/or terpenoids.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least one essential oil, or the composition of masking agents is an essential oil selected from the list comprising anise oil, basil oil, bergamot oil, cananga oil, cedar oil, lemon oil, lemon grass oil, cypress oil, pine oil, eucalyptus oil, frankincense oil, ginger oil, geranium oil, jasmine oil, chamomile oil, cardamom oil, clove oil, laurel oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, tangerine oil, mint oil, nutmeg oil, orange blossom oil, patchouli oil, peppermint oil, grapefruit oil, rosemary oil, rose oil, rosewood oil, sage oil, sandalwood oil, clary sage oil, orange oil, thyme oil, verbena oil and ylang ylang oil.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least orange oil.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least undecylenic acid or a salt or ester thereof, isoamyl acetate, hexanol, anethole, estragole and at least one essential oil.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least isoamyl acetate, hexanol, anethole, estragole and at least one essential oil.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least one terpene or terpenoid, preferably several terpenes or terpenoids, or a combination of terpenes or terpenoids.

Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds produced by a variety of plants. They often have a strong odor. Terpenes are biosynthetically derived from units of isoprene having the molecular formula CsHs. The basic molecular formulae of terpenes are multiples thereof, (Csb^jn, wherein n is the number of linked isoprene units. The isoprene units can be linked to one another "head to tail" to form linear chains, or they can be arranged to form rings. Non-restrictive examples of terpenes are hemiterpenes (one isoprene unit), monoterpenes (two units), sesquiterpenes (three units), diterpenes (four units), sesterterpenes (five units), triterpenes (six units), tetraterpenes (eight units), polyterpenes (4,000-5,000 units) and norisopreneoids. Terpenes are known for their olfactory stimuli and are often used in the preparation of chewing gum, sweets and peppermints. The odor of fruit and flowers is primarily attributable to atomized terpenes that are sensed by the olfactory receptor neurons in the nose. In citrus fruits, the most important aromatic compounds are limonene and eucalyptol, both terpenes. Limonene can occur in the D form or in the L form, referred to respectively as D- limonene and L-limonene. The aromatic compounds of clove oil comprise eugenol and caryophyllene, which are terpenes. The aromatic compounds of peppermint comprise limonene, menthone and menthol, all of which are terpenes.

A few examples of terpenes and their classification are as follows.

Hemiterpenes: examples of hemiterpenes, which do not necessarily have an odor, are 2- methyl-1 ,3-butadiene, hemialboside and hymenoside. Monoterpenes: pinene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, cis-pinane, trans-pinane, cis-pinanol, trans-pinanol, limonene; linalool; myrcene; eucalyptol; alpha-phellandrene; beta-phellandrene; alpha-ocimene; beta-ocimene, cis- ocimene, ocimene, delta-3-carene; fenchol; sabinene, borneol, isoborneol, camphene, camphor, phellandrene, alpha-phellandrene, C-terpinene, geraniol, nerol, menthol, terpinolene, alpha-terpinolene, beta-terpinolene, gamma-terpinolene, trans-alpha-terpinolene, delta-terpinolene-2-pinanol.

Sesquiterpenes: caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, humulene, alpha-humulene, alpha- bisabolene; beta-bisabolene; santalol; selinene; nerolidol, bisabolol; alpha-cedrene, beta- cedrene, beta-eudesmol, eudesm-7(11)-en-4-ol, selina-3,7(11)-diene, guaiol, valencene, alpha-guaiene, beta-guaiene, delta-guaiene, guaiene, farnesene, alpha-farnesene, beta- farnesene, elemene, alpha-elemene, beta-elemene, gamma-elemene, delta-elemene, germacrene, germacrene A, germacrene B, germacrene C.

Diterpenes: oridonine, phytol and isophytol.

Triterpenes: ursolic acid and oleanolic acid.

Monoterpene is CioH and diterpene is C20H32. Isoprene is CsHs (comprises two double bonds).

Terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are a large and diverse class of naturally-occurring organic chemicals, comparable with terpenes, derived from isoprene with five carbon atoms that are assembled and modified in dozens of ways. Most of them are multicyclic structures that differ from one another not only in functional groups, but also in their fundamental carbon skeletons.

Plant terpenoids are widely used due to their aromatic properties. They play a role in traditional herbal medicinal products and are being investigated for antibacterial, antineoplastic and other pharmaceutical functions.

In accordance with the present description, terpenes can be commercially obtained in various degrees of purity.

There are known suppliers of terpenes that are pure and homogeneous, contract laboratories that synthesize terpenes, and contract laboratories that purify terpenes from natural products, for example essential oils. Without implying any limitation, the term "purified" or “pure” can refer to a terpene that is more than 95% pure, more than 98% pure, more than 99% pure, more than 99.5% pure, more than 99.9% pure, more than 99.99% pure, and so on. In general, the terms "purified" and “pure” do not take into account any solvent that may be used for dissolving the terpene, such as one of the following non-restrictive list of solvents comprising ethanol, acetone and tetrahydrofuran. In other words, unless otherwise indicated, explicitly or by the context, any solvent present is not relevant for characterizing a certain terpene as pure or homogeneous.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least anethole. Anethole is a nonpolar aromatic unsaturated ether having the formula C10H12O. Anethole gives the typical taste of anise and fennel. The compound is an isomer of estragole. Anethole has a pronounced sweet taste and is thirteen times as sweet as sugar. The taste is perceived as pleasant, even in high concentrations.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least undecylenic acid or a salt or ester thereof, isoamyl acetate, hexanol, and anethole.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least estragole. Estragole is a phenyl propanoid and an isomer of anethole. It is a viscous, colorless liquid with an anise-like odor.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least undecylenic acid or a salt or ester thereof, isoamyl acetate, hexanol, anethole and estragole.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least isoamyl acetate, hexanol, trans-2-hexenal, anethole and estragole.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine, at least ten, at least fifteen or at least twenty terpenes and/or terpenoids.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least one terpene or terpenoid, preferably several terpenes or terpenoids, selected from the list comprising monoterpenes and terpenoids, e.g. the list comprising pinene, alpha-pinene, betapinene, cis-pinane, trans-pinane, myrcene, limonene, alpha-ocimene, beta-ocimene, cis- ocimene, ocimene, delta-3-carene, sabinene, camphene, phellandrene, alpha-phellandrene, beta-phellandrene, c-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-terpinolene, beta-terpinolene, gammaterpinolene, trans-alpha-terpinolene, delta-terpinolene, anethole, estragole, chavicol, safrole, fenchol, 2-pinonol, menthol, geraniol, nerol, linalool, eucalyptol, borneol, isoborneol, camphor and carvone. In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least undecylenic acid or a salt or ester thereof, isoamyl acetate, hexanol, anethole, estragole, trans- 2-hexenal, at least one essential oil and at least one terpene.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least two, preferably at least three, four, five, six or seven, eight or nine substances selected from the list comprising hexanol, D-limonene, L-limonene, trans-2-hexenal, estragole, alpha pinene, betapinene, linalool, and anethole.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least hexanol, D-limonene, L-limonene, trans-2-hexenal, estragole, alpha pinene, beta-pinene, linalool, and anethole.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least two, preferably at least three, four, five, six or seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen substances selected from the list comprising isoamyl acetate, menthol, hexanol, anethole, eugenol, trans-menthone, D-limonene, isomenthone, trans-2-hexenal, estragole, L- limonene, alpha pinene, beta-pinene and linalool.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least isoamyl acetate, menthol, hexanol, anethole, eugenol, trans-menthone, D-limonene, isomenthone, trans-2-hexenal, estragole, L-limonene, alpha pinene, beta-pinene and linalool.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least two, preferably at least three, four, five, six or seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve or thirteen substances selected from the list comprising isoamyl acetate, menthol, hexanol, anethole, eugenol, D-limonene, isomenthone, trans-2-hexenal, estragole, L-limonene, alpha pinene, beta-pinene and eucalyptol.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents comprises at least isoamyl acetate, menthol, hexanol, anethole, eugenol, D-limonene, isomenthone, trans-2-hexenal, estragole, L-limonene, alpha pinene, beta-pinene and eucalyptol.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents for masking an odor coming from plant protection products preferably comprises the masking of an unpleasant odor, wherein the odor comes from insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, biocides, algicides or herbicides, preferably wherein the odor is a waxy, fatty and rancid odor.

In an embodiment, the use of the composition of masking agents for masking an odor which comes from a plant protection product comprises at least one fatty acid, preferably a C8, C9 or C10 fatty acid, preferably caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least one or more thereof, or a mixture of caprylic acid and/or capric acid and/or pelargonic acid and/or a salt or ester thereof; or a mixture of caprylic acid and capric acid.

Caprylic acid can also be referred to as “1 -heptane carboxylic acid” or “octanoic acid.” Caprylic acid has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It is also found in sweat and usually has an unpleasant, irritating odor. It has a strong fatty and unpleasant odor.

Capric acid can also be referred to as “1-nonane carboxylic acid” or “decanoic acid.”

In an embodiment, the odor comes from a plant protection product comprising at least pelargonic acid. It is used as an antimicrobial plant protection product. Moreover, experiments are also being conducted on using capric acid as a herbicide.

Pelargonic acid as used in this application can also be referred to as “nonanoic acid” or “1- octane carboxylic acid,” and it refers to an organic compound consisting of a chain of nine carbon atoms terminated with a carboxylic acid. In addition to pelargonic acid, the salt thereof can also be used.

Pelargonic acid is a herbicide used as an inhibitor of the growth of runners on plants. To begin with, pelargonic acid appears to be highly effective. It has been found that pelargonic acid effectively inhibits, destroys and/or eliminates the cells of runners by inducing a natural pressure after absorption of pelargonic acid, which then destroys the permeability of the plant cell membranes, causing the undesired plant cells of said runner to break down. As such, weed control can easily be achieved on a field with plants by applying pelargonic acid to the plant in the above-mentioned concentrations, with a minimum of repetition. Nevertheless, pelargonic acid has a foul-smelling, unpleasant odor. It has been shown by the inventors that the use of a composition of masking agents as described herein can mask the unpleasant odor of plant protection products, and in particular, of pelargonic acid.

In certain embodiments of the invention, derivatives of pelargonic acid can also be added to the composition of masking agents. Examples of pelargonic acid derivatives are synthetic esters such as methyl pelargonicate and ethyl pelargonicate, as well as salts of pelargonic acid and the like.

In certain embodiments, the odor comes from pyridate. Pyridate is an herbicide belonging to the pyridazines.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a composition of masking agents, wherein the composition comprises at least two, preferably at least three or more substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids, for masking an odor coming from plant protection products. The organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids can be selected from the lists already described above.

Preferably, the composition comprises at least orange oil and one more substance from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a composition of orange oil, and the organic acids or ester or salt thereof are selected from the list comprising undecylenic acid, isoamyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate and ethyl 2-methylpentanoate.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a composition of orange oil, and the aliphatic and aromatic alcohols are selected from the list comprising hexanol, e.g. comprising 1 -hexanol, 2-hexanol and 3-hexanol, 2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol, 2,6-dimethyl-2- octenol and phenyl ethanol.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a composition of orange oil, and the aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes are selected from the list comprising hexanol, e.g. comprising trans-2-hexenal and phenylacetaldehyde.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a composition of orange oil, and the other essential oils are selected from the list comprising anise oil, basil oil, bergamot oil, cananga oil, cedar oil, lemon oil, lemon grass oil, cypress oil, pine oil, eucalyptus oil, frankincense oil, ginger oil, geranium oil, jasmine oil, chamomile oil, cardamom oil, clove oil, laurel oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, tangerine oil, mint oil, nutmeg oil, orange blossom oil, patchouli oil, peppermint oil, grapefruit oil, rosemary oil, rose oil, rosewood oil, sage oil, sandalwood oil, clary sage oil, orange oil, thyme oil, verbena oil and ylang ylang oil.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises the use of a composition of orange oil, and the terpenes and terpenoids are selected from the list comprising monoterpenes and terpenoids, e.g. the list comprising pinene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, cis-pinane, trans- pinane, myrcene, limonene, alpha-ocimene, beta-ocimene, cis-ocimene, ocimene, delta-3- carene, sabinene, camphene, phellandrene, alpha-phellandrene, beta-phellandrene, c- terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-terpinolene, beta-terpinolene, gamma-terpinolene, trans-alpha- terpinolene, delta-terpinolene, anethole, estragole, chavicol, safrole, fenchol, 2-pinonol, menthol, geraniol, nerol, linalool, eucalyptol, borneol, isoborneol, camphor and carvone.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a composition as described herein wherein the amount of an individual substance in the composition of masking agents is in the range of at least 0.01 wt% to at most 15 wt%, preferably from 0.05 to 12.5 wt%, from 0.1 to 10 wt%, or from 1 to 8 wt%, from 2 to 7 wt%, from 3 to 6 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 7.5 wt%, from 1.95 to 6 wt%, from 2 to 5 wt%, most preferably from 0.1 to less than 0.5 wt%, from 0.5 to less than 2.5 wt%, from 2 to less than 8 wt%, from 0.5 to less than 5 wt%, from 5 to less than 15 wt%, wherein 100 wt% is the total amount of the composition of masking agents.

The said masking agents are contained in a carrier oil. This can be a plant-based or synthetic oil. This can for example be sunflower oil.

In the above embodiment, the carrier oil and the masking agents together account for 100 wt% of the composition of masking agents.

In a following aspect, the present invention relates to a method for masking an odor coming from plant protection products which comprises at least the step of mixing at least one masking agent with the plant protection product. In certain preferred embodiments, the plant protection product is an insecticide, fungicide, nematicide, biocide, algicide or herbicide. In certain preferred embodiments, the plant protection product is or comprises caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method as described herein wherein the amount of masking agents which are added to the plant protection product, preferably to caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, or capric acid, or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, is in the range of 0.1 to 10 g, preferably from 0.2 to 9 g, or from 0.3 to 8 g, 0.4 to 7 g, more preferably from 0.5 to 6 g, from 0.75 to 4 g, from 0.95 to 3 g, from 1 to 2.5 g, most preferably from 0.1 to 1 g, from 0.5 to 3 g, or from 1 to 2 g of masking agents per 100 g of the plant protection product, preferably caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

In certain embodiments, the method described herein comprises an additional step of formulating the plant protection product with the masking agents. The composition of pelargonic acid or caprylic acid with masking agents is particularly effective when it is produced as a concentrated for being diluted for use, for example formulated in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) or in an oil-in-water emulsion (EW), including a Pickering emulsion. The combination can also be prepared in other forms, such as in the form of an oil- in-water micro-emulsion (ME), an oil dispersion (OD) or an aqueous solution (SL). In other embodiments, the plant protection product and the one or several masking agents can be in an off-the-shelf, ready-to-use (AL) solution.

The formulation of plant protection product and the one or several masking agents can also further comprise non-ionic and ionic surfactants, as well as anionic surfactants, which serve as emulsifiers for obtaining a stable emulsion in hard or soft water if the concentrated formulation is diluted in water.

The formulation of plant protection product and the one or several masking agents can also further comprise one or more auxiliaries or inert substances.

A list of examples of auxiliaries or inert substances includes, without being limited thereto, organic solvents, antifreeze, thickeners, buffers, antifoaming agents, antioxidants, preservatives and colorants. Such auxiliaries and inert substances are known in the art and are commercially available.

In certain embodiments, the concentrated formulation further comprises one or more non-ionic surfactants which are selected from the list comprising ethoxylated alcohols (e.g. Empilan KI 6) and polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, such as octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (e.g. Slovasol 248) or pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (e.g. Marlipal 24/50); polypropylene glycol alkyl ethers (e.g. Witconol APM); glycoside alkyl ethers, such as decyl glycoside, lauryl glycoside, octyl glycoside, C8-C16 fatty alcohol glucosides (e.g. EcoSense™ 300 surfactant) or C8-C14 fatty alcohol glycosides (coco glucosides) (e.g. EcoSense™ 919 surfactant); polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ethers or octyl phenol ethoxylates (9-10 EO) (e.g. Triton X- 100); polyethylene glycol alkylphenyl ethers, such as nonoxynol-9 or nonyl phenol ethoxylates (10 EO) (e.g. Makon 10); glycerol alkyl esters, such as glyceryl laurate (e.g. Monomuls 90-L- 12); polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters or polysorbates (e.g. Tween 85); sorbitan alkyl esters (e.g. Span 60); cocamide monoethanolamine (MEA) (e.g. Ninol CMP); cocamide diethanolamine (DEA) (e.g. Ninol 11-CM); dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, such as lauramine oxide (e.g. Ammonyx); block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol (e.g. Pluronic PE 10500); polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) (e.g. Ethomeen C12); ethopropoxylated alcohols (e.g. Agnique® KE 3551); ethoxylated tristyryl phenols (e.g. Soprophor® BSU); ethopropoxylated tristyryl phenols (e.g. Soprophor® 796/P); ethoxylated tributyl phenols (e.g. Sapogenat® T 080) and/or ethoxylated plant-based oils (e.g. ethoxylated castor oils, such as Lucramul® CO 40).

In certain embodiments of the method as described herein, the concentration of the caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or the salt or ester thereof, or the mixture comprising at least two or more thereof with the masking agents in the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil- in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), the aqueous solution (SL) or the ready-to-use solution (AL) is in the range of 20 to 800 g/L, preferably from 25 to 750 g, or from 50 to 700 g/L, more preferably from 100 to 650 g or from 200 to 200 g, or from 300 to 550 g/L, most preferably from 350 to 550 g, or from 400 to 500 g/L. In certain embodiments of the method as described herein, the concentration of the caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or the salt or ester thereof, or the mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, with the masking agents in the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), the aqueous solution (SL) or the ready-to-use solution (AL) is in the range of 20 g/L, preferably 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180,

190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370,

380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560,

570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750,

760, 770, 780, 790 or 800 g/L.

The composition of caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, with masking agents is particularly effective when it is produced as a concentrated version that is suitable for being diluted as a dilute solution on plants, as the non-ionic surfactants improve dissolution in an aqueous solvent such as water without the reducing the effectiveness of the active ingredient in inhibiting the growth of shoots on said plants.

In certain embodiments, the method as described herein therefore comprises an additional step of preparing a dilute solution of the formulation comprising the plant protection agent, preferably caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and the masking agents. Preferably, a dilution in water is prepared.

In certain embodiments of the method as described herein, the amount or concentration of the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), the aqueous solution (SL) is in the range of at least 2.5 wt% to at most 25 wt%, preferably from 4 to 20 wt% or from 5 to 15 wt%, more preferably from 6 to 12 wt% or from 7 to 10 wt%, most preferably from 7.5 to 8.5 wt%, wherein 100 wt% is the total amount water with concentrate.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products, which comprises at least the steps of 1) mixing at least one masking agent, preferably at least two masking agents, with the plant protection product, preferably with caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or the salt or ester thereof, or the mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, as described herein, 2) mixing an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), the aqueous solution (SL) of the plant protection product with the at least one masking agent, preferably with the at least two masking agents, as described herein, and 3) preparing a dilute solution of the concentrate, as described herein. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the at least one masking agent, preferably at least two masking agents, is selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids, for masking an odor coming from plant protection products.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the organic acid, or ester or salt thereof is selected from the list comprising the substances as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the aliphatic and aromatic alcohol is selected from the list comprising the substances as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde is selected from the list comprising the substances as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the essential oil is selected from the list comprising the substances as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the terpene or terpenoid is selected from the list described herein. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the composition of masking agents added to the plant protection product, preferably to caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, comprises at least orange oil, wherein the orange oil is at least 0.5 wt%, preferably at least 1 wt%, 1.5 wt%, or 2 wt%, more preferably 2.5 wt%, 3 wt%, 3.5 wt%, 4 wt% or 5 wt% of the concentrated plant protection product, preferably caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and wherein the concentration of caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid with the masking agent is 500 g/L.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the composition of masking agents added to the plant protection product, preferably to caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, comprises at least the following substances: at least 5% to at most 15% of isoamyl acetate, at least 2% to at most 8% of menthol, at least 0.5% to at most 2.5% of hexanol, at least 0.5% to at most 2.5% of anethole, at least 0.5% to at most 2.5% of eugenol, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of trans-menthone, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of D-limonene, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of isomenthone, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of trans-2-hexenal, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of estragole, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of L-limonene, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of alfa-pinene, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of beta-pinene, and at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of linalool, wherein 100% is the total amount of masking agents and solvent (for example a plant-based or synthetic oil such as sunflower oil). This is the composition of masking agents used in Composition 1 of the examples. The amount of this composition of the masking agents which is added to concentrated caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, is in the range of at least 0.5 to 5 wt%, preferably 1 to 4 wt%, more preferably 2 to 3 wt%, most preferably 0.95 wt%.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the composition of masking agents added to the plant protection product, preferably to caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, comprises at least the following substances: at least 0.5% to at most 5% of hexanol, at least 0.5% to at most 2.5% of D-limonene, at least 0.5% to at most 2.5% of trans-hexenal, at least 0.5% to at most 2.5% of estragole, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of alfa-pinene, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of beta-pinene, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of linalool, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of L-limonene, and at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of anethole, wherein 100% is the total amount of masking agents and solvent (for example a plant-based or synthetic oil such as e.g. sunflower oil). This is the composition of masking agents used in Composition 2 of the examples. The amount of this composition of the masking agents which is added to concentrated caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, is in the range of at least 0.5 to 5 wt%, preferably 1 to 4 wt%, more preferably 2 to 3 wt%, most preferably 0.95 wt%.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products wherein the composition of masking agents added to the plant protection product, preferably to caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, comprises at least the following substances: at least 5% to at most 15% of isoamyl acetate, at least 2% to at most 8% of menthol, at least 2% to at most 8% of hexanol, at least 0.5% to at most 2.5% of anethole, at least 0.5% to at most 2.5% of eugenol, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of D-limonene, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of isomenthone, at least 0.05% to at most 2.5% of trans-2-hexenal, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of estragole, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of L-limonene, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of alfa-pinene, at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of beta-pinene, and at least 0.01 % to at most 0.5% of eucalyptol, wherein 100% is the total amount of masking agents and solvent (for example a plant-based or synthetic oil such as sunflower oil). This is the composition of masking agents used in Composition 5 of the examples. The amount of this composition of the masking agents which is added to concentrated caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more hereof, is in the range of at least 0.5 to 5 wt%, preferably 1 to 4 wt%, more preferably 2 to 3 wt%, most preferably 0.95 wt%.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products, wherein the odor is an unpleasant or foul-smelling odor. Preferably, the odor comes from a C8, C9 or C10 fatty acid, more preferably from caprylic acid (also referred to as octanoic acid), pelargonic acid (also referred to as nonanoic acid) or capric acid (also referred to as decanoic acid).

In particular embodiments, the invention relates to a method for masking the odor of plant protection products, wherein the odor is a waxy, fatty and rancid odor.

In a following aspect, the present invention relates to a composition for masking the odor of plant protection products, wherein the composition comprises at least one substance selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a composition for masking the odor of plant protection products as described herein wherein the organic acid or an ester or salt thereof is selected from the list comprising undecylenic acid, isoamyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate and ethyl 2-methylpentanoate.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a composition for masking the odor of plant protection products as described herein wherein the aliphatic and aromatic alcohol is selected from the list comprising hexanol, e.g. comprising 1-hexanol, 2-hexanol and 3-hexanol, 2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol, 2,6-dimethyl-2-octenol and phenyl ethanol.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a composition for masking the odor of plant protection products as described herein, wherein the aliphatic and aromatic aldehyde is selected from the list comprising trans-2-hexenal and phenylacetaldehyde.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a composition for masking the odor of plant protection products as described herein, wherein the essential oil is selected from the list comprising anise oil, basil oil, bergamot oil, cananga oil, cedar oil, lemon oil, lemon grass oil, cypress oil, pine oil, eucalyptus oil, frankincense oil, ginger oil, geranium oil, jasmine oil, chamomile oil, cardamom oil, clove oil, laurel oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, tangerine oil, mint oil, nutmeg oil, orange blossom oil, patchouli oil, peppermint oil, grapefruit oil, rosemary oil, rose oil, rosewood oil, sage oil, sandalwood oil, clary sage oil, orange oil, thyme oil, verbena oil and ylang ylang oil.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a composition for masking the odor of plant protection products as described herein, wherein the terpene or terpenoid is selected from the list comprising monoterpenes and terpenoids, e.g. the list comprising pinene, alphapinene, beta-pinene, cis-pinane, trans-pinane, myrcene, limonene, alpha-ocimene, beta- ocimene, cis-ocimene, ocimene, delta-3-carene, sabinene, camphene, phellandrene, alphaphellandrene, beta-phellandrene, c-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-terpinolene, betaterpinolene, gamma-terpinolene, trans-alpha-terpinolene, delta-terpinolene, anethole, estragole, chavicol, safrole, fenchol, 2-pinonol, menthol, geraniol, nerol, linalool, eucalyptol, borneol, isoborneol, camphor and carvone.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a composition for masking the odor of plant protection products as described herein, wherein the odor comes from a C8, C9 or C10 fatty acid, preferably from a plant protection product comprising at least caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition for masking the odor of caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

In a following aspect, the present invention relates to a plant protection product comprising caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids, for masking an odor coming from plant protection products.

In a following aspect, the present invention relates to a plant protection product comprising capric acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids, for masking an odor coming from plant protection products.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product comprising caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or ester or salt thereof or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof which is selected from the list comprising the substances as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product comprising caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and an aliphatic and aromatic alcohol which is selected from the list comprising the substances as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product comprising caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof and an aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde which is selected from the list comprising the substances as described herein. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product comprising caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and an essential oil which is selected from the list comprising the substances as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product comprising caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and a terpene or terpenoid which is selected from the list described herein.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product that preferably comprises caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid, or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and comprises at least orange oil.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product that preferably comprises caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof and at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine masking agents selected from the list comprising hexanol, D- limonene, trans-hexenal, estragole, alfa-pinene, beta-pinene, linalool, L-limonene, and anethole.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product that preferably comprises caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof and at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen masking agents selected from the list comprising isoamyl acetate, menthol, hexanol, anethole, eugenol, transmenthone, D- limonene, isomenthone, trans-2-hexenal, estragole, L-limonene, alfa-pinene, beta-pinene and linalool.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a plant protection product that preferably comprises caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof and at least one, preferably two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen masking agents selected from the list comprising isoamyl acetate, menthol, hexanol, anethole, eugenol, D- limonene, isomenthone, trans-2-hexenal, estragole, L-limonene, alfa-pinene, beta-pinene and eucalyptol.

In a following aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising a plant protection product, preferably caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and at least one substance selected from the list comprising isomenthone organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids, for masking an odor coming from plant protection products in the agricultural and horticultural industry.

It is known that recreational areas frequented by the public require regular and specific maintenance. Generally accepted plant protection products which are used by the farmer on the field often give off an odor which is perceived as unpleasant or foul-smelling by passersby. This odor can be highly persistent and remain for many hours or even several days after the treatment. Farmers themselves often wear oral and nasal masks for this. However, if the grounds to be treated are located on public or private land, such as in recreational areas and gardens, it is inconvenient to wear oral and nasal masks in the hours following a treatment. The inventors discovered that the composition of masking agents that can be added to plant protection products, and in particular to caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a salt or ester thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, is highly effective in masking the odor, which is considered to be unpleasant or foul-smelling.

In certain embodiments, the present invention therefore relates to use as described herein, including in the construction and maintenance of public spaces such as in the following non- restrictive list: sports fields, amusement parks, city parks, nature parks, recreational parks, vacation parks, public parks, gardens, industrial sites, and railroads.

EXAMPLES

1. Assessment of the efficiency of an odor masking agent in masking the odor of ic acid (Sensenet study)

Materials and methods

Setup

Number of samples:

- 1 sample comprises orange oil as a masking agent: “PLA 500 EC + orange oil” *

- 1 sample comprises Composition 1 as a masking agent: “PLA 500 EC + Composition ” **

- 1 control sample has the same composition but without the masking agent: “PLA 500 EC”

Composition 1 is a composition of masking agents which comprises at least two substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids.

* In this sample, 3 g of orange oil is added to 100 g of pelargonic acid. ** In this sample, 0.95 g of Composition 1 is added to 100 g of pelargonic acid.

PLA 500 EC + orange oil and PLA 500 EC + Composition 1 are preparations of pelargonic acid with a masking agent formulated as a surfactant/emulsifier solution (also referred to in English as an “emulsifiable concentrate (EC)”) with a concentration of 500 g/L.

For each Sensenet sample, a 7.5 wt% surfactant/emulsifier solution is prepared in water and poured into a PET spray bottle.

Method

Immediately after preparing the solution, the samples to be tested are sprayed onto a stainless steel plate. Approximately 1.0 g of solution is evenly sprayed over the stainless steel plate. The stainless steel plate is placed in a stainless steel test chamber and then purged with a constant flow of neutral air for 20 minutes. Vapor space (also referred to in English as sample headspace) is collected on the outlet side in a Nalophan headspace as shown in Fig. 1. This is representative of what the end user would smell after spraying the sample onto a ground surface.

Description of the sensory analysis

A descriptive sensory analysis makes qualification and quantitation of the olfactory perception possible. Intensity, hedonic tone and odor description are the most important parameter used to characterize an odor.

After perception, the panel members indicate their findings according to the following parameters and scales.

- Intensity

Assessment of intensity, which is based on a German standard (VDI 3882 Part 1), is carried out by a panel of eight people selected according to the EN 13725 standard and trained on an n-butanol reference scale.

During the assessment, the panel members directly smell the sample and evaluate its intensity on a scale of 0 to 6 as shown in Table 1. Table 1 :

- Hedonic tone

Measurement of hedonic tone according to German standard VDI 3882 Part 2, is carried out by a selected and trained panel of 8 to 15 people.

For each sample, the panel members give their impression with respect to the pleasant or unpleasant character of the odor on a scale of -4 to + 4 as shown in Table 2.

Table 2:

- Odor description

Characterization of the odor is carried out using a highly standardized odor measurement approach and carried out by selected panel members regularly trained according to a specific odor description method and framework (Sensenet’s own).

The odor description framework (of Sensenet) comprises about 50 descriptors comprising a large number of product and material sectors. Each descriptor is associated with an odorous mono-substance used as a reference for training the comprising panel members. The descriptions are divided into different odor categories (fatty, woody, fruity, sweet/pungent, etc.) (see Table 3, which shows how the odor categories are rendered in English). Such a methodology makes odor characterization possible by using a common and objective vocabulary.

The intensity of each said descriptor is also assessed in order to provide a complete olfactory profile.

Table 3: Odor descriptions

Presentation of the samples

- Headspace assessment

In order to ensure a standardized presentation of the headspace of the samples to be analyzed, a device called “Pure Sniff” can be used (see Fig. 2). By means of this device, the flow, volume and presentation time were made identical for all of the panel members.

- Direct sniffing

The samples can also be assessed by directly sniffing the odor after application of the sample to a substrate (tissue paper, skin, textile, etc.).

The panel

Each panel of 15 experts was:

- selected according to their olfactory sensitivity (EN 13725) and their capacity to memorize their impressions and express them in words,

- regularly trained in: o the use of the different intensity levels of an n-butanol scale. o The use of the descriptors of the reference framework using sniffing sticks or solutions of the mono-substances that correspond to each reference.

Results of the sensory analysis

1. Overall intensity

The results are shown in Fig. 3.

• The average overall odor intensity of the sample PLA 500 EC was 2.8 (medium/perceptible).

• The overall odor intensity of the sample PLA 500 EC + orange oil was reduced to 2.1 (weak).

• The average overall odor intensity of the sample PLA 500 EC + Composition 1 was 2.7 (weak to medium/perceptible). Under these study conditions, the sample PLA 500 EC appears to have the highest average overall odor intensity, while the sample PLA 500 EC + orange oil is perceived as the least odorous. The difference between these two samples is statistically significant (p < 0.05).

2. Intensity of pelargonic acid

In order to determine whether the perception of pelargonic acid is decreased by adding the masking agent compared to the control sample (same composition but without the masking agent), the panel members were asked to assess the intensity of the pelargonic acid reference for each of the three samples on the same 0-6 scale.

The results thereof are shown in Fig. 4.

• The average overall odor intensity of the sample PLA 500 EC was 2.8 (medium/perceptible), the same as under 1 above.

• The overall odor intensity of the sample PLA 500 EC + orange oil was reduced to 1 .5 (quite weak to weak) with respect to the pelargonic acid reference. The reduction was significant compared to the control sample.

• The average odor intensity of the sample PLA 500 EC + Composition 1 was reduced to 1.8 (weak) with respect to the pelargonic acid reference.

Under these study conditions, orange oil causes a reduction of 46% in the intensity of pelargonic acid, and Composition 1 causes a reduction of 36% in the intensity of pelargonic acid. These differences compared to the control sample are statistically significant (p < 0.05) (see Figs. 4B and 4C). However, the difference between orange oil and Composition 1 is not significant.

3. Hedonic tone

Fig. 5 shows the average hedonic tone.

• The sample PLA 500 EC was assessed by the panel as 0.3 as 2.8 (weak unpleasant to neutral).

• For the sample PLA 500 EC + orange oil, the assessment increased to 0.6 (neutral to slightly pleasant).

• For the sample PLA 500 EC + Composition 1 , the assessment increased to 1 .1 (slightly pleasant).

Under these study conditions, we observe an increase in hedonic tone for the sample PLA 500 EC + orange oil and for the sample PLA 500 EC + Composition 1 compared to the control sample. However, these differences are not statistically significant (p > 0.05). 4. Odor profile

The odor description pertained to the following olfactory notes:

“Fresh, citrus” notes in relation to the training reference citral.

“Lemon, floral” notes in relation to the training reference linalool.

“Green, fresh grass” notes in relation to the training reference cis-3-hexenol.

“Fatty, floral, citrus” notes in relation to the training reference nonanal.

“Vanilla” notes in relation to the training reference vanillin.

“Sweet, caramelic” notes in relation to the training reference ethyl maltol.

“Banana” notes in relation to the training reference isoamyl acetate.

“Phenolic, plastic” notes in relation to the training reference phenol.

“Rancid, pungent” notes in relation to the training reference pelargonic acid.

The results are shown in Fig. 6.

• The sample PLA 500 EC has an olfactory profile with generally rancid and pungent notes (pelargonic acid). Fatty and citrus notes were also reported for the reference nonanal.

• The sample PLA 500 EC + orange oil has an olfactory profile with generally rancid and sharp notes. Citrus and citrus/fatty notes (citral and nonanal), green fatty notes (cis-3- hexenol) and plastic notes (phenol) were also reported.

• The sample PLA 500 EC + Composition 1 has an olfactory profile with generally rancid and sharp notes. In addition, lemon notes (linalool), fatty citrus notes (nonanal) and banana (isoamyl acetate) and sweet notes (ethyl maltol) were also reported. e efficiency of an odor masking agent in masking the odor of

Protection

Materials and method

Setup

Number of samples:

- 3 samples comprising Composition 3 as a masking agent in 3 different concentrations: “PLA 500 EC + Composition 3”*

- 3 samples comprising Composition 4 as a masking agent in 3 different concentrations: “PLA 500 EC + Composition 4”*

- 3 samples comprising Composition 1 as a masking agent in 3 different concentrations: “PLA 500 EC + Composition 1”** - 3 samples comprising Composition 2 as a masking agent in 3 different concentrations: “PLA 500 EC + Composition 2”**

- 1 control sample has the same composition but without the masking agent: “PLA 500 EC” Compositions 1 , 2, 3 and 4 are compositions of masking agents comprising at least two substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and terpenes and terpenoids. The compositions were added to pelargonic acid, after which a 500 g/L formulation (EC) was prepared. * The following amounts of the composition were added: 0.1 %, 1 % and 2%.

** The following amounts of the composition were added: 0.1 %, 0.95% and 2%.

Method

After preparation of the solutions, an amount of sample corresponding to 1800 L/ha was sprayed onto an area adjacent to the BCP Laboratory. 1 .08 L of each sample was sprayed. 90 minutes after spraying, the general odor intensity and the hedonic tone were measured (also see Example 1).

Table 4: Scale

Results

The results are shown in Table 5.

Table 5

Example 3. Assessment of the efficiency of an odor masking agent in masking the odor of caprylic acid (octanoic acid) (Sensenet study)

Materials and methods Setup Number of samples:

- 1 sample comprises Composition 1 as a masking agent: “Octanoic acid + Composition 1” *

- 1 control sample has the same composition but without the masking agent: “Octanoic acid”

Composition 1 is a composition of masking agents as claimed in claim 1.

* In this sample, 0.95 g of Composition 1 is added to 100 g octanoic acid.

Octanoic acid + Composition 1 are preparations of octanoic acid with a masking agent formulated as an oil-in-water emulsion (also referred to as an EW) with a concentration of 60% m/m (mass percent concentration).

For each sample, a 7.5 wt% oil-in-water emulsion is prepared in water and poured into a PET spray bottle.

Method

The method is as described in Example 1 of this patent application.

Description of the sensory analysis

The descriptive sensory analysis is as described in Example 1 of this patent application.

Presentation of the samples

The presentation of the samples is as described in Example 1 of this patent application.

The panel

A panel of 8 experts selected and trained in the same manner as in Example 1 of this patent application was used.

Results of the

The values correspond to the average of the individual scores of the 8 experts.

5. Overall intensity

The results are shown in Fig. 7A.

• The average overall odor intensity of the sample octanoic acid was 2.8 (medium/perceptible). • The average overall odor intensity of the sample octanoic acid + Composition 1 was 2.9 (weak to medium/perceptible).

Under these study conditions, the samples octanoic acid and octanoic acid + Composition 1 appear to have an identical overall odor intensity.

6. Intensity of Composition 1

The results are shown in Fig. 7B.

• The average odor intensity of the sample octanoic acid was 0.0, as expected.

• The average odor intensity of the sample octanoic acid + Composition 1 was 1.4 (quite weak to weak).

This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05).

7. Intensity of octanoic acid

In order to determine whether the perception of octanoic acid is decreased by adding the masking agent compared to the control sample (same composition but without the masking agent), the panel members were asked to assess the intensity of the octanoic acid reference for each of the three samples on the same 0-6 scale.

The results thereof are shown in Fig. 7C.

• The average overall odor intensity of the sample octanoic acid was 2.6 (weak to medium/perceptible).

• The average odor intensity of the sample octanoic acid + Composition 1 decreased to 1.4 (quite weak to weak) with respect to the octanoic acid reference.

Under these study conditions, the Composition causes a reduction of 46% in the intensity of octanoic acid. This difference is statistically significant (p< 0.05).

8. Hedonic tone

Fig. 7D shows the average hedonic tone.

• The sample octanoic acid was assessed by the panel as 0.3 as -1.1 (slightly unpleasant).

• For the sample octanoic acid + Composition 1 , the assessment increased to 0.9 (slightly pleasant).

Under these study conditions, we observed an increase in the hedonic tone for the sample octanoic acid + Composition 1 compared to the control sample. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). 9. Odor profile

The odor description pertained to the following olfactory notes:

“Orange peel” notes in relation to the training reference limonene.

“Earthy” notes in relation to the training reference geosmin.

“Banana” notes in relation to the training reference isoamyl acetate.

“Minty, fresh” notes in relation to the training reference menthol.

“Rancid, pungent” notes in relation to the training reference octanoic acid.

The results are shown in Fig. 8.

• The sample octanoic acid has an olfactory profile with generally rancid and pungent notes (2.6, medium/perceptible to weak). Earthy notes were also found for the reference Geosmin (0.4 quite weak to extremely weak).

• The sample octanoic acid + Composition 1 has an olfactory profile with generally banana notes (isoamyl acetate) (2.6, medium/perceptible to weak). In addition, the rancid and pungent notes of octanoic acid were still perceived, but with a lower intensity than the control sample (1.4 compared to 2.6 for the control sample). Notes of orange peel (limonene), green fresh gras and peppermint were also perceived by the experts.

4. Assessment of the efficiency of an odor masking agent in masking the odor of

Protection (BCP)).

Materials and methods

Setup

The compositions were added to pelargonic acid in a concentration of 0.95% w/w, after which a 500 g/L formulation (EC) was prepared.

Composition 1 is a composition of masking agents that comprises at least two substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, essential oils, and terpenes and terpenoids. Other solutions were prepared with individual masking agents as shown in Table 7. Neudosan (Certis Belchim) is an insecticide that is a composition of C8 to C18 fatty acids.

Method

The hedonic tone and the general odor intensity of the undiluted solution was measured. The same assessment scales were used as in the previous examples. Table 6: Scale

Results The results are shown in Table 7. H: Hedonic tone; I: Intensity.

Table 7

The results show that the addition of a composition of masking agents (Composition 1) to pelargonic acid or Neudosan yields a better result than masking agents alone.

Claims

1. Use of a composition of masking agents wherein the composition comprises at least two substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids for masking an odor coming from plant protection products.

2. Use as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the organic acid or an ester or salt thereof is selected from the list comprising undecylenic acid, isoamyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate and ethyl 2- methylpentanoate.

3. Use as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the aliphatic and aromatic alcohol is selected from the list comprising hexanol, e.g. comprising 1 -hexanol, 2-hexanol and 3-hexanol, 2,6-dimethyl-7- octen-2-ol, 2,6-dimethyl-2-octenol and phenyl ethanol.

4. Use as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the aliphatic and aromatic aldehyde is selected from the list comprising trans-2-hexenal and phenylacetaldehyde.

5. Use as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the composition of masking agents is an essential oil selected from the list comprising anise oil, basil oil, bergamot oil, cananga oil, cedar oil, lemon oil, lemon grass oil, cypress oil, pine oil, eucalyptus oil, frankincense oil, ginger oil, geranium oil, jasmine oil, chamomile oil, cardamom oil, clove oil, laurel oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, tangerine oil, mint oil, nutmeg oil, orange blossom oil, patchouli oil, peppermint oil, grapefruit oil, rosemary oil, rose oil, rosewood oil, sage oil, sandalwood oil, clary sage oil, orange oil, thyme oil, verbena oil and ylang ylang oil.

6. Use as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the terpene or terpenoid is selected from the list comprising monoterpenes and terpenoids, e.g. the list comprising pinene, alpha-pinene, betapinene, cis-pinane, trans-pinane, myrcene, limonene, alpha-ocimene, beta-ocimene, cis- ocimene, ocimene, delta-3-carene, sabinene, camphene, phellandrene, alpha-phellandrene, beta-phellandrene, c-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-terpinolene, beta-terpinolene, gammaterpinolene, trans-alpha-terpinolene, delta-terpinolene, anethole, estragole, chavicol, safrole, fenchol, 2-pinonol, menthol, geraniol, nerol, linalool, eucalyptol, borneol, isoborneol, camphor and carvone.

7. Use as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the odor comes from a plant protection product comprising at least a C8, C9 or C10 fatty acid, or an ester or salt thereof, or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

8. Use as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the odor comes from a plant protection product comprising at least caprylic acid or pelargonic acid.

9. Use as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the composition of masking agents comprises at least orange oil.

10. Use of a composition of masking agents as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the composition of masking agents comprises at least three or more substances selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids for masking an odor coming from plant protection products.

11. Use as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the amount of an individual substance in the composition of masking agents is in the range of at least 0.01 wt% to at most 15 wt%, preferably from 0.05 to 12.5 wt%, from 0.1 to 10 wt%, or from 1 to 8 wt%, from 2 to 7 wt%, from 3 to 6 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 7.5 wt%, from 1.95 to 6 wt%, from 2 to 5 wt%, most preferably from 0.1 to less than 0.5 wt%, from 0.5 to less than 2.5 wt%, from 2 to less than 8 wt%, from 0.5 to less than 5 wt%, from 5 to less than 15 wt%, wherein 100 wt% is the total amount of the composition of masking agents.

12. A method for masking an odor coming from plant protection products which comprises at least the steps of 1) mixing at least two masking agents with the plant protection product, preferably a plant protection product comprising at least caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, and 2) preparing an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, an oil dispersion (OD), a microemulsion (ME), an aqueous solution (SL) or a ready-to-use solution (AL) of the at least two masking agents with the plant protection product, the plant protection product preferably comprising at least caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or the mixture comprising at least two or more thereof; wherein the at least two masking agents are selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the amount of masking agents added to the plant protection product, preferably to caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof, is in the range of 0.1 to 10 g, preferably from 0.2 to 9 g, or from 0.3 to 8 g, 0.4 to 7 g, more preferably from 0.5 to 6 g, from 0.75 to 4 g, from 0.95 to 3 g, from 1 to 2.5 g, most preferably from 0.1 to 1 g, from 0.5 to 3 g, or from 1 to 2 g of masking agents per 100 g of the plant protection product, preferably caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or the mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the concentration of the caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof with the masking agents in the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), the aqueous solution (SL) or the ready-to-use solution (AL) is in the range of 20 to 800 g/L, preferably from 25 to 750 g, or from 50 to 700 g/L, more preferably from 100 to 650 g or from 200 to 200 g, or from 300 to 550 g/L, most preferably from 350 to 550 g, or from 400 to 500 g/L.

15. The method as claimed in one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the amount of the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), and the aqueous solution (SL) is in the range of at least 2.5 wt% to at most 25 wt%, preferably from 4 to 20 wt% or from 5 to 15 wt%, more preferably from 6 to 12 wt% or from 7 to 10 wt%, most preferably from 7.5 to 8.5 wt%, wherein 100 wt% is the total amount of water with the emulsifiable concentrate (EC), the oil-in-water emulsion (EW) including a Pickering emulsion, the oil dispersion (OD), the microemulsion (ME), and the aqueous solution (SL).

16. The method as claimed in one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the odor comes from a plant protection product comprising at least caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof.

17. Use of a composition comprising caprylic acid, pelargonic acid or capric acid or a mixture comprising at least two or more thereof and at least two masking agents selected from the list comprising organic acids or an ester or salt thereof, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and terpenes and terpenoids, in the agricultural and horticultural industry.

18. Use of a composition as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11 or 17 in the construction and maintenance of gardens and public spaces comprising sports fields, amusement parks, city parks, nature parks, recreational parks, vacation parks, public parks, industrial sites and railroads.