Rhamnolipid 20% Powder

Rhamnolipids are a class of surface-active glycolipid secondary metabolites produced by Pseudomonas microorganisms via fermentation under specific culture conditions. Rhamnolipid 20% powder is the dry form of this biosurfactant on an inert carrier — a pale yellow, free-flowing powder that dissolves in water to a pale yellow solution. Once dispersed in water it lowers the water-air surface tension from ~72 mN/m to 26 mN/m (critical micelle concentration ≈ 33.3 mg/L), and the interfacial tension against crude oil to 0.2728 mN/m. In agriculture it is used as a biobased wetting agent, spreading agent, emulsifier and dispersant — and as a soil-wetting agent in dry or compacted soils. The powder form offers easier logistics (no liquid handling, no drum return) and is the preferred form for water-soluble powder (SP/WSP) and wettable-granule (WG) formulations.

Both reduce surface tension and improve coverage; they are different tools, not interchangeable. Organosilicone surfactants spread faster and can reach lower surface tension at very low rates, but their super-spreading behaviour can increase runoff and penetration — which is a concern when the active ingredient needs to remain on the leaf surface or when working with microbial actives. Rhamnolipid is biobased, readily biodegradable and is generally compatible with biological products (microbial inoculants, biopesticides, biostimulants). In addition, rhamnolipids possess characteristics such as the ability to chelate medium and trace elements; furthermore, the negatively charged micelles they form can improve soil aggregate structure and enhance cation exchange capacity. Confirm surfactant choice against the specific crop, formulation and local registration.

Documented in research: seed-coating and seed-soak programs that promote germination and early root growth; documented antimicrobial activity against selected phytopathogens (e.g. Botrytis, Phytophthora, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia) in vitro and in research settings; and suppression of selected insect pests in published research. These uses are subject to local product registration — confirm against the registration of your target market before any biocidal or insecticidal claim is made on a finished product label.

For agricultural programs, 20% is the concentration range where field performance and cost balance best. At typical agricultural dilution rates, the working spray solution reaches the same measured surface tension (~26 mN/m) whether you start from the 20% powder or a higher-concentration grade — the difference is carried mainly in price, not in spreading performance in the tank. (The measured performance is identical for both delivery forms: surface tension 26 mN/m, critical micelle concentration ≈ 33.3 mg/L.) Higher-concentration powder grades are available on request for industrial and specialty applications, where pricing rises steeply with concentration. For wetting, spreading, soil-wetting and seed-soak programs, the 20% powder is the cost-effective choice; if your application genuinely requires a higher assay, contact us for a quotation.

Two ways to use the 20% powder. (1) For direct use: dissolve in water and dilute at 1:6,000–8,000, then apply — as a wetting/spreading agent in the spray tank, or for soil-wetting in dry or compacted soils. (2) As a formulation input: blend at 0.2%–0.5% per tonne into powder or granular finished products (biostimulants, macro-element water-soluble fertilizers); blend at 1%–3% — or higher, depending on the positioning of your finished product — into liquid products. These are manufacturer-recommended starting ranges, not a product label — confirm the final rate against your local registration and your own field results.

Generally yes — at the typical use rates above it does not impair the viability of common microbial inoculants (e.g. Bacillus, Trichoderma) in tank mixes, but every strain and concentration pair should be tested. The pH window of 6–7 (1% solution) makes rhamnolipid compatible with most neutral biostimulant and biocontrol formulations. Avoid strong acid or alkali (>pH 10) tank conditions.

It is ready to dissolve and use — the 20% powder disperses in water and can go straight into the spray tank or a fertigation line. It is equally suitable as an input for formulators producing SP/WSP/WG formulations, water-soluble sachets or seed-treatment powders. Pesticidal or biocidal label claims on a finished product remain the responsibility of the registrant in your country. Every shipment includes a batch COA.

Rhamnolipid is recognized internationally as a low-toxicity, biodegradable biosurfactant. In the US, rhamnolipid is registered with the EPA as a biochemical pesticide active ingredient (PC Code 110029). Nova-Agri is a raw-material supplier and exporter. We support your registration process with COA, TDS, MSDS, and impurity profile on every lot.

MOQ is 200 kg. Typical lead time is about 10 working days to Shanghai port; OEM packaging and batch COA are available. Shelf life is 24 months in original sealed packaging, cool and dry.