A percentage of the marine products used to produce VALARMIN is crustacean shells i.e. prawn & crab shells. Crustacean shells as well as insect exoskeletons contain a compound called chitin. Chitin is also a component of fungal cell walls. Hence the foliar application of VALARMIN, which contains chitin, triggers immune responses in plants by "tricking" the plant into "thinking" that a fungus is attacking.
This consequently induces a plant to defend itself by producing an enzyme that breaks down chitin. This same defense mechanism is also triggered when plants are attacked by sucking or piercing insects. Hence the application of VALARMIN stimulates a plant’s natural defence against insects such as mites, aphids, scales, leafhoppers, fruit spotting bug, mealy bug, and fruit fly. VALARMIN also assists with insect repellency due to the presence of chitinase produced by certain bacteria during the manufacturing process.
It must be remembered however, that this natural defense mechanism only occurs in plants, which are healthy. Hence the application of VALARMIN has a two-fold effect due it’s ability to improve the health of plants.