[CH] Re: Tobacco, TMV, etc. was "Math Problem"
George Nelson (70431.3065@compuserve.com)
Fri, 18 Dec 1998 14:46:39 -0500
Byron Bromley" <Byron.Bromley@gsd-co.com> talked in Digest 153 about using
Jerry Baker's formula based on chewing tobacco as an insecticide for his
garden. He got some useful advice about the danger of TMV infection as an
unwanted by-product of this concoction. Byron's subsequent posts indicated
a long period of using this with no ill effects. Here is why it "just
might work."
The formula does include dish soap and mouthwash. Dish soap (if it is the
right kind) will have ethoxylate surfactants in it. Members of this family
(Poloxymers) were touted as HIV-virus preventatives (and maybe still are).
They would also work (in the right concentration - this is tricky) to strip
the protein coats from the TMV and "kill" them.
In addition, Rain pointed out that some tobacco formulas have booze in
them. This one has mouthwash. Again, depending on the brand, ingredient
#2 in mouthwash is typically ethanol! Effectiveness will depend on
concentration whether there would be enough ethanol to denature ("kill")
the TMV.
Byron talks about this concoction extracting Nicotine Sulfate. This is
highly unlikely from a natural product (tobacco). Probably straight
nicotine ("free base") is what comes out, (helped by the ethanol in the
mouthwash?).
Finally, the poor man asked about a math problem, which by Digest 156 had
not been answered. The solution is multiply the two fractions:
1/3 ounce per gallon diluted 1/2 ounce per gallon (128 ounces).
(1/3) x (1/128) x (1/2) x (1/128)
= (1/384) x (1/256)
= 0.00001107 or 1/98304
George "when's the World gonna go metric?" Nelson