Crude Neem Oil Research Articles

Influence of fly ash as additive on the viscosity of transesterified neem oil

Biodiesel as the renewable source of energy has become one of the alternative solutions towards the problems associated with the use of fossil fuels in energy generation. Most of the biodiesel produced via tansesterification process are associated with viscosity that is above diesel limit. This problem can be mitigated through the use of solid materials as additive. This paper investigates the influence of fly ash as additive on the viscosity of transesterified neem oil. The morphology and chemical constituent of fly ash were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Xray Fluoroscopy (XRF). The crude neem oil was purified; transesterified and 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3wt%, 0.4wt% and 0.5wt% of fly ash were used as additive. The viscosity of crude, purified, transesterified and transesterified with 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3wt%, 0.5wt% and 0.5wt% of fly ash as additive were measured using brookfield digital viscometer. SEM shows that the mophorlogy of fly ash was dispersed particle with cloudy structure while XRF shows that the major compound presence on fly ash was silicon oxide. The viscosity of the samples decreases as the temperature increases and with the addition of fly ash. But on the addition of 0.3wt% it shows significant variation at equal range of temperature. This indicated that the fly ash can be used as biodiesel additive on neem oil as it decreases the level of viscosity presence on the oil.

Efficacy of Plant Products Against Leafhopper Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) in BT Cotton

Field experiments were conducted on Bt cotton at the RRS Abohar and PAU, Ludhiana to evaluate various plant products viz. castor oil, pongamia oil, crude neem oil, sesame oil, linseed oil, garlic extract along with commercial neem-based biopesticides, Nimbecidine (azadirachtin 1500 ppm) and Ecotin (azadirachtin 5000 ppm) against leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) in Bt cotton. Three days after application, maximum mortality was in garlic extract @ 30 ml/ l (54.00 and 52.68%) followed by neem oil @ 10 ml/ l (49.17 and 47.83%), Ecotin (azadirachtin 5000 ppm) @ 1.5 ml/ l (45.39 and 44.17%) at Abohar and Ludhiana, respectively. After five and seven days of second application, it was significantly more with Ecotin @ 1.5 ml/ l (44.56, 44.06 and 28.83, 28.17%) followed by neem oil @ 10 ml/ l (40.34, 39.95 and 28.28 and 27.67%) and Nimbecidine @ 10 ml/ l (37.33, 36.83 and 21.56, 21.17%) at both the locations, respectively. Among various plant products, maximum predator counts were obtained with in garlic extract @ 30 ml/ l. Seed cotton yield was also significantly higher in Ecotin @ 1.5 ml/ l treated plots.

Improving the Efficacy of Abamectin Using Neem Oil in Controlling Tomato Leafminers, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick).

Tomato leafminers, Tuta absoluta pose a control challenge against dozens of chemical pesticides including abamectin as a result of increase in resistance with time. This study aimed at improving the field performance of abamectin using crude neem oil. The oil was obtained from the healthy neem seeds by cold pressing method. A total of 10 larvae were used in each bioassay experiment. Abamectin at 1000 ppm caused corrected mortality of 79% and its concentration that kills half of the experimental larvae (LC50) was 363 ppm. The crude neem oil at concentration of 2500 ppm caused corrected mortality of 61% with LC50 at 1089 ppm. The 1:1 mixture of abamectin and crude neem oil (without heating) at concentration of 1000 ppm gave 83% as highest corrected mortality and LC50 at 251 ppm. The findings from bioassay experiments revealed that, both neem oil and abamectin are potential pesticides; however their performance was even high after mixing. It was the synergism effect that gave the mixture high performance.

Magnetic recyclable eggshell-based mesoporous catalyst for biodiesel production from crude neem oil: Process optimization by central composite design and artificial neural network

A magnetically recyclable eggshell-based catalyst (MKEC) was synthesized to circumvent saponification during the conversion of neem, Jatropha, and waste cooking oils (free fatty acid, 2.3–6.6%) to biodiesel. The characterization results indicated that MKEC had a mesoporous structure with the pore width of 3.24 nm, a specific surface area of 128 m 2 /g, and a pore volume of 0.045 cm 3 /g. The results confirmed that the MKEC is more tolerant to fatty acid poisoning than calcined eggshell. The effects of process parameters for maximum fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content were evaluated by central composite design (CCD) and artificial neural network (ANN). The experimental FAME content of 94.5% was achieved for neem oil with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.68, which was in reasonable agreement with predicted values (CCD, 96.9%; ANN, 95.9%; SD, 0.73). The reusability studies showed that the mesoporous catalyst can be reused efficiently for five cycles without much deterioration in its activity.

Process optimization of biodiesel production from Neem oil

Biodiesel is one of the most important types of sustainable alternate bioenergy sources. In developing countries like India, where edible oils are in short supply non-edible plant oils are used as biodiesel feedstocks. In the present work an attempt was made to produce biodiesel from crude neem oil. Due to its high FFA content, neem oil was processed in two steps: acid pretreatment followed by base catalyzed transesterification. The optimum combination for reducing the FFA of crude neem oil to less than 1% after pretreatment was found to be 1.58%v/v H2SO4 acid catalyst, 0.63v/v methanol to oil ratio and 90 min reaction time at a reaction temperature of 60oC as compared to 0.23 v/v methanol to pretreated oil ratio and 23 min reaction time for transesterification. The maximum yield of biodiesel was 90.5%. The properties of produced biodiesel were found quite comparable to diesel and also met the ASTM standards.

Comparative Studies of Oil-Modified Alkyd Resins Synthesized from Epoxidized and Crude Neem Oil

Two different alkyd resins; epoxidized neem seed oil-modified alkyd resin (ENOMAR) and crude neem seed oil-modified alkyd resin (CNOMAR) with oil-length of 64.5% each were synthesized. A portion of neem oil was epoxidized at 50°C using per-acid generated in-situ. The (ENOMAR) and (CNOMAR) were prepared using glycolysis and poly-condensation methods. Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) and cobalt naphthalate in toluene were employed as the driers. The physicochemical analyses of the synthesized resins were investigated. Also, minimum drying and set to touch time was recorded at 15hrs, 9hrs and 17hrs, 10hrs for (ENOMAR) and (CMOMAR) respectively at temperature of 120°C on exposed for 120min. Both resins show good resistance in 10% HCl and distilled water. (CNOMAR) shows relatively fair resistance in 1%NaCl while (ENOMAR) has a poor resistance in the brine solution. FT-IR results shows a broad and sharp peaks at 1732cm^-1, 2928cm^-1 and 3465cm^-1 for (ENOMAR) and two broad peaks at 1734cm^-1, and 2927cm^-1 for (CNOMAR). Statistical analysis from ANOVA table comparing the drying time between the two resins gave F_v =0. 327 and F_c = 5. 990. Assessments of the properties show that epoxidized neem oil modified alkyd resin (ENOMAR) has better film properties compared to crude neem oil modified alkyd resin (CNOMAR).

Ultrasonic Assisted Transesterification of Neem Oil for Biodiesel Production

In this experimental study, neem oil has been used as raw material for producing biodiesel using both ultrasonic transesterification and a magnetic stirrer method. A two-step transesterification process was carried out for optimum condition of 0.45 V/V methanol to oil ratio, 0.75% V/V sulphuric acid catalyst, 60°C and 60 min reaction time followed by treatment with 0.2% V/V methanol to oil ratio, 1.2% KOH alkaline catalyst, 60°C and 60 min reaction time. The process is repeated with an ultrasonic method at the frequency of 20 KHz and ultrasonic power of 200 W for about 5–10 min. Biodiesel obtained from ultrasonic method and magnetic stirrer was then compared for their percentage yield and physiochemical properties. Ultrasonic transesterification process gave a maximum yield of 98.01% by weight of neem biodiesel along with better physiochemical characteristics. Therefore, it is concluded that ultrasonic is the most effective method for converting crude neem oil into biodiesel.

Organic neem compounds inhibit soft-rot fungal growth and improve the strength of anthracite bricks bound with collagen and lignin for use in iron foundry cupolas.

To examine organic neem compounds for their effective growth inhibition of saprotrophic soft-rot fungi on anthracite bricks bound with collagen and lignin for use in iron foundry cupolas as an alternative fuel source. Azadirachtin, crude neem oil (NO), and clarified neem oil extract (CNO) were combined with copper to inhibit the growth of the soft-rot fungus, Chaetomium globosum. A synergistic interaction was observed between CNO and a low dose of copper on nutrient media (two-factor anova with triplicate replication: P < 0·05). Interaction was confirmed on lab-scale collagen-lignin-anthracite briquettes by measuring their unconfined compressive (UC) strength. The effective collagen strength of the briquettes was enhanced by applying CNO to their surface prior to inoculation: the room temperature UC strength of the briquettes was 28 ± 4·6% greater when CNO (0·4 mg cm(-2) ) was surface-applied, and was 43 ± 3·0% greater when CNO plus copper (0·14 μg cm(-2) ) were surface-applied. Surface application of CNO and copper synergistically prevents fungal growth on bindered anthracite briquettes and increases their room temperature strength. This novel organic fungicidal treatment may increase the storage and performance of anthracite bricks in iron foundries, thereby saving 15-20% of the energy used in conventional coke production.

Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Capacity of Crude and Refined Oil Extracted From Azadirachta indica A. Juss.

Naturally nutritive and non-nutritive occurring antioxidants have been proven potent and safe for management of variety of diseases. This study investigated the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of crude and refined Azadirachta indica (Neem tree) oil. The neem crude oil (NCO) was extracted from the seeds by mechanical press and degummed. The neem oil was de-pigmented with activated charcoal, and fractionated with silica gel in a capillary column. The ability of the oils to act as hydrogen/electrons donor were determined in-vitro using 2, 2-dipphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-azinobis - (3-ethylbenzothiazolin - 6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), lipid peroxyl (LP) and nitric oxide (NO) radicals scavenging assays, at different extract concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg/mL). The IC50 of the NCO oil (1.50 ± 0.10 mg/mL) showed that antioxidant activity is comparable to vitamin C and beta-carotene (1.60 ± 0.10 and 1.27 ± 0.12 mg/mL respectively) in scavenging DPPH radical. The crude neem oil exhibited superior activity against NO radical, than the refined oil and vitamin C. Generally, in the four antioxidant assays, a significant correlation existed between concentrations of the oils and percentage inhibition of the four different radicals. GC/MS analyses identified monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, aldehydes and pentanethiol as the major compounds in the oils, these may account for their antioxidant capacity.

FIELD EVALUATION OF SOME INSECTICIDES AGAINST WHITE-TAILED MEALY BUG, FERRISIA VIRGATA (COCKERELL) INFESTING CASHEW

Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years during February-March 2009 and 2010 on an eight-year-old clonally established ‘VRI-2’ cashew orchard at the Regional Research Station of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vridhachalam, to evaluate the comparative efficacy of certain chemical and non-chemical insecticides against the white tailed mealy bug Ferrisia virgate (Cockerell) infesting cashew. A total of two sprayings were given at 15-days interval during each experimental year. The impact of the treatments was evaluated on the basis of survival population of mealy bug after 3, 7, 10 and 15 days of each spraying. The results demonstrated that dichlorvas 0.05% was most effective recording 93.5% mealy bug reduction over control in 10 days after first spraying and contributed to maximum nut yield. 1200 kg/ha Triazophos (0.05%), profenophos (0.05%), I»-cyhalothrin (0.003%) and imidacloprid (0.05%) which are at par with each other were found next in the order of efficacy recording 91.2-92.5% mealy bug reduction over control and contributed to nut yield of 1100 to 1125 kg/ha. The sprays of azadirachtin, nimbecidine followed by crude neem oil were effective to a limited extent after two rounds of spraying at 7-days intervals. Fish oil resin soap, pongamia oil and jatropa oil failed to offer satisfactory control of mealy bug.

Effect of Homogeneous Catalysts on Production of Biodiesel from Crude Neem Oil Feedstock and Cost Analysis of Biodiesel Production

A two-step transesterification process is developed to convert the high FFA oils to its mono-esters. Using 100 ml of oil, the optimum combination of parameters for pretreatment were found to be 0.45 v/v methanol-oil-ratio, 0.5% v/v H2SO4 acid catalyst, 50˚C and 45 min reaction time. After pretreatment of neem oil, transesterification reaction was carried out with 4.5:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, 1% KOH as alkaline catalyst, 75 min reaction time and 50˚C reaction temperature to produce the fatty acid methyl ester. This two step process gave maximum average yield of 70±2%.

Sophorolipids Synthesized Using Non-Traditional Oils with Glycerol and Studies on Their Surfactant Properties with Synthetic Surfactant

Abstract The importances of bio-surfactants in industrial applications are huge due to their biodegradable and eco-friendly nature. Bio-surfactants mostly find application in cosmetics and health care products. Moreover, bio-surfactants like sophorolipids (SL) also exhibit antimicrobial and skin healing properties. The current studies involve production of SL using low cost substrates like glycerol (15%) instead of glucose (10%) with non-traditional oils (10%) such as jatropha oil, karanja oil and neem oil by using Starmerella bombicola (ATCC 22214). Neem oil gave lower yield i.e. (1.42 g/L) of SL as compared to jatropha oil (4.74 g/L) and karanja oil (5.91 g/L) with glycerol as substrate. Some pretreatment given to crude neem oil like oil refining and ethanol washing with glycerol helps in improved cell growth and SL yield i.e. 2.73 g/L and 3.82 g/L respectively. The comparison thin layer chromatography (TLC), Fourier Transform infrared spectra (FTIR), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography mass spectra (LC-MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) of SL produced on non-traditional oils with glycerol were carried out with that of SL produced on non-traditional oils with glucose. The surfactant properties of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) such as surface tension, interfacial tension, stabilization of foam, emulsification, and wetting were improved when SLS was replaced at different concentration of SL.

Production of biodiesel from crude neem oil feedstock and its emissions from internal combustion engines

This study investigates biodiesel production using crude neem oil having high acid value, as a feedstock. The effects of some operating variables were ascertained and its combustion performance was assessed in an internal combustion engine. Due to its high acid value, the neem oil was processed via two step acid – base transesterification process. The first step reduced the acid level to <2 mgKOH/g while the second step involved direct conversion to fatty acid methyl ester using 1% NaOH as catalyst. The lowest viscosity value was used as a proxy measure to determine the extent of the reaction. The results reveal the optimum conditions for biodiesel production to be ratio 1:6 of oil to methanol and 1.5 h reaction time. The viscosity at this condition was 5.53 cSt. The same procedure was repeated for NaOCH3 catalyst concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.25%. The lowest viscosity of 6.79 cSt was recorded at both 1 and 1.25% catalyst concentrations. The fuel properties of the biodiesel compared favorably with the recommendation by the American Standard Testing Method. The emissions of different blends showed that neem biodiesel has lower emissions of CO and NO than petrol diesel but higher NOX. Thus, neem oil as non-edible oil can be a good renewable raw material for biodiesel production. Key words: Neem, biodiesel, internal combustion, transesterification, free fatty acid.

Management of surgical wounds using crude neem oil in one year old ram: A successful report

Wound healing effect of crude neem (Azadirachta indica Juss) oil, processed locally from the seed kernel was assessed on septic surgical wound in a one year old Uda ram. A wound approximately 7 cm in diameter created as a result of surgical drainage of abscess on the left caudal part of the elbow joint was flushed with the crude neem oil. A single application of the crude neem oil to the sutured wound resulted in a complete healing after seven days without systemic or topical application of antibiotics. Wound infection and dehiscence were not observed and the animal’s appetite improved significantly after the intervention and treatment. Thus, the study reveals crude neem oil may act as a cheaper, more convenient and effective wound healing oil in animals, especially, in the rural areas where veterinary services and/or orthodox chemically-based animal medicaments may not be readily available. Key words: Neem oil, ram, small ruminant, wound healing.

Prospects and Potential of Non Edible Neem Oil Biodiesel Based on Physico-chemical Characterization

This article is confined to biodiesel production and characterization of fatty acid methyl esters synthesized from a novel source of non edible neem oil. Fatty acid methyl esters were produced through methlanolysis of neem oil by using methanol in the presence of NaOH and KOH as catalysts. Conversion of crude neem oil to biodiesel was 76.8%. Fuel properties of neem oil biodiesel (100%), i.e., flash point (124°C), viscosity (4.91 at 40°C), density (0.8785 at 15°C Kg/L), color (2.5) were close to ASTM biodiesel standards. Similarly, fuel properties of biodiesel blends were also in accordance with ASTM standards. Quality and quantity of neem oil biodiesel, based on physico-chemical characters were determined by using analytical techniques, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared analysis. It is concluded that the rise in the use of non edible oil biodiesel is inevitable and neem is the potential source in this scenario for a promising source of renewable energy.

Separation of azadirachtin and other limonoids from crude neem oil via solvent precipitation

Separation of azadirachtin and other limonoids from neem oil was carried out using solvent induced precipitation method. Hexane was chosen as the solvent due to its low polarity that can precipitate the more polar limonoids compounds from neem oil. The effects of solvent to oil ratio and temperature were investigated to determine optimum conditions for precipitation. Two different crude neem oils with initial azadirachtin content of 0.1% (oil A) and 0.04% (oil B) were used as the starting material. The final products obtained were fine powders that contain azadirachtin and other limonoids. Optimum recoveries for azadirachtin were 83.15% for oil A and 96.77% for oil B. Azadirachtin purities in the powders were 14.85% and 7.34%, respectively, which represented more than 180-fold enrichment from initial content in neem oils. The results suggested that hexane induced precipitation is a potential pre-concentration step in the separation of azadirachtin and other limonoids from neem oils.

Operational use of neem oil as an alternative anopheline larvicide. Part A: laboratory and field efficacy

We conducted a study to determine the laboratory and field efficacy of neem oil towards anopheline larvae. No difference in LC50 was observed between laboratory and field strains for temephos, chlorpyriphos-methyl/fenitrothion and neem oil. No difference in susceptibility was found after 3 months of application every 2 weeks. Water treated with a single application of traditional larvicides was free of larvae after 4 weeks; neem oil-treated water, however, was free after 2 weeks but not at 4 weeks. Application of chlorpyriphos-methyl/fenitrothion and neem oil every 2 weeks for 7 rounds resulted in dramatic reduction in larval density with no statistically significant differences. An adult survey after larviciding also showed no significant difference. The efficacy of crude neem oil appears to be below that of conventional larvicides.

Operational use of neem oil as an alternative anopheline larvicide. Part B: environmental impact and toxicological potential

This study was conducted to investigate the preliminary environmental and mammalian toxicology of neem oil, temephos and chlorpyriphos-methyl/fenitrothion. Culex pipiens, Daphnia magna and Gambusia affinis were used to study environmental impact. A high level of toxicity was observed, with slight differences between organisms. The emulsifiers individually also displayed toxicity towards the tested organisms. Up to 90 days daily oral crude neem oil treatment (5 g/kg body weight) of laboratory mice did not cause any significant changes in weekly body weight gain, nor in serum liver damage indicators, direct bilirubin or total bilirubin. Blood parameters of treated mice up to 90 days were not statistically different from those of control mice. Neem oil could be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional chemical anopheline larvicides.