PPM, or plant preservative mixture, is an effective broad spectrum biocide and fungicide for plant growth. PPM is also known as an anti-microbial agent.
The active ingredients of PPM are a combination of methanol, chlorhexidine, trisodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, silica, zinc, iron, and titanium. This chemical compound is made up of a combination of alloys and silicate that have been treated with trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide to render it safe for human consumption.
This compound is one of the commonly used components in food processing and personal hygiene products. There have been many claims about its effectiveness in various plant protection measures and its efficacy in killing microorganisms.
A major benefit of using PPM is its safety in use. According to Food Hygienists, the maximum permissible level of PPM is 5%. Using a low level of PPM on spores does not increase the chances of spores landing on the food or drinking water. These microshakes are important in the breakdown of plant material before they reach the consumer. They help in the decomposition of organic material, the breakdown of carbohydrates in plant stems and roots, breakdown of dead plant cells (cell death). Moreover, microshakes help in the separation of sugars from proteins, or separation of fats from oils.
PPM is available in different forms including liquid and powders. It can also be mixed together with other substances for applying on the surface of the seeds before they are exposed to air for germination. In addition to this, PPM has high applications in various industries including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, the food and chemical industry, the petrochemical industry, the dairy industry and others. It is extremely effective against viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites. It is capable of eradicating harmful bacteria and molds that can endanger the existence of natural resources.
The material used for making the PPM is made of numerous ingredients and each ingredient has a specific benefit for the purpose of using the material. The major components of the PPM are Phosphate-based resins, which plays an important role in reducing the surface tension of plant material. Other ingredients of the material include benzene gel, which helps in increasing the length of time before spores land on the food surface. Furthermore, powdered iron powder is added as another important ingredient to the PPM so that it effectively prevents microbial contamination of the seeds.
High level of resistance against external pests is another benefit of PPM. There is no need to add any pesticide to the sprays and insecticides to be applied to the plant surface for preventing the contamination of seedlings and other plants with harmful organisms. This saves a lot of money that would otherwise have to be spent on the pesticides. Furthermore, broad-spectrum allergens are also reduced as the levels of such substances in the PPM are reduced. This is because the spores of these allergens are not released to the environment through the spray.
In recent years, the production of PPM has become easier due to the development of wide-spectrum pest control tools and techniques. Currently, most PPM manufacturers do not use the term broad-spectrum as the substances that constitute the composition of the PPM are identified in terms of the presence of a specific broad spectrum property. Generally, a broad spectrum PPM is one that is resistant to a wide range of common plant-related pests. In some cases, the term ‘broad spectrum’ may be used, but it should be specified as such. Broad-spectrum PPMs are generally heat stable, meaning that they are neither sensitive to low temperatures, nor do they deteriorate in extreme environments.
A wide spectrum mixture with the proper concentration of each of its major active ingredients is ideal for ensuring maximum efficacy. However, this is only possible if the formulation is well-designed by using the right ingredients with the appropriate balance of activity. It is important that the right balance of the ingredients be maintained when developing a wide-spectrum PPM because some PPM formulations tend to have too much activity. One such example is a PPM formulated to inhibit airborne contamination introduced to the aquatic environment. The PPM for this specific air contaminant had a very high concentration of the particular ingredient that inhibited its growth, yet at the same time, the amount of activity caused a significant rise in the level of particulate matter that settled on the aquatic surface.
Heat stable PPM also prevent the growth of fungi spores. Heat stable formulations containing the proper heat range for the specific plant being treated also keep the fungi spores from being released into the environment once the treatment process is complete. The heat stability of the standard ingredient prevents damage to the plant and allows it to maintain its quality even after the treatment is complete. Heat stable formulation is also ideal for use on plants that are highly susceptible to fungal attack.
