Exhibit 99.1350CERT

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act

      I, Terry K. Glenn, President of Merrill Lynch Basic Value Principal
      Protected Fund of Merrill Lynch Principal Protected Trust (the "Fund"),
      certify that:

            1.    The N-CSR of the Fund (the "Report") fully complies with the
                  requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
                  Exchange Act of 1934; and

            2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and results of
                  operations of the Fund.

      Dated: February 23, 2004


                                                /s/ Terry K. Glenn
                                                ------------------
                                                Terry K. Glenn,
                                                President of
                                                Merrill Lynch Basic Value
                                                Principal Protected Fund of
                                                Merrill Lynch Principal
                                                Protected Trust

      A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or
      other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the
      signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this
      written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Merrill
      Lynch Basic Value Principal Protected Fund of Merrill Lynch Principal
      Protected Trust and will be retained by Merrill Lynch Basic Value
      Principal Protected Fund of Merrill Lynch Principal Protected Trust and
      furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
      request.



Exhibit 99.1350CERT

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act

      I, Donald C. Burke, Chief Financial Officer of Merrill Lynch Basic Value
      Principal Protected Fund of Merrill Lynch Principal Protected Trust (the
      "Fund"), certify that:

            1.    The N-CSR of the Fund (the "Report") fully complies with the
                  requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
                  Exchange Act of 1934; and

            2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and results of
                  operations of the Fund.

      Dated: February 23, 2004


                                                /s/ Donald C. Burke
                                                -------------------
                                                Donald C. Burke,
                                                Chief Financial Officer of
                                                Merrill Lynch Basic Value
                                                Principal Protected Fund of
                                                Merrill Lynch Principal
                                                Protected Trust

      A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or
      other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the
      signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this
      written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Merrill
      Lynch Basic Value Principal Protected Fund of Merrill Lynch Principal
      Protected Trust and will be retained by Merrill Lynch Basic Value
      Principal Protected Fund of Merrill Lynch Principal Protected Trust and
      furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
      request.