Azadirachta Indica Oil Research Articles

Occurrence period, severity and management of powdery mildew and rust in Jatropha curcas

ABSTRACT Jatropha curcas L. has been studied with the aim of attending the bioenergy demand in Brazil. In this study, the time of occurrence, the severity, and the control of powdery mildew and rust in a commercial crop were investigated. During the evaluation period, powdery mildew was first observed soon after the onset of the raining period in October. Rust was first observed in April. Metarhizium anisopliae. Azadirachta indica oil, J. curcas oil, and the fungicide triadimenol were efficient in controlling powdery mildew. None of these products nor potassium silicate did control rust.

Potential of Ripe Plantain Fruit Peels as an Ecofriendly Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis: Optimization by Artificial Neural Network Integrated with Genetic Algorithm

The present work was aimed at assessing the possible use of ripe plantain fruit peel as a green-base catalyst in synthesizing Azadirachta indica oil methyl esters (AIOME). The free fatty acid content of the oil (5.81 wt %) was initially reduced to 0.90 wt % using methanol: oil at 2.19 v/v, Fe2(SO4)3 at 6 wt %, time of 15 min and temperature of 65 °C. The pretreated oil was converted to AIOME in a transesterification process with calcined ripe plantain peel ash (CRPPA) at 700 °C as catalyst. The process was modeled by artificial neural network and optimized using genetic algorithm. The effectiveness of the developed CRPPA is ascribable to its high K content and microstructural transformation. The reliability of the model obtained was confirmed with a high coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.996 and a low mean relative percentage deviation (MRPD) of 8.10%. The best operating variables combination for the process was methanol:oil of 0.73 v/v, CRPPA of 0.65 wt % and time of 57 min while the temperature was kept constant at 65 °C with a corresponding AIOME yield of 99.2 wt %. The results of this work demonstrated the potentials of ripe plantain peels and neem oil as cheap feedstocks for biodiesel production.

Prospects of non-edible neem (Azadirachta indica) oil in Bangladesh: performance and emission evaluation in a direct injection diesel engine

ABSTRACTTransition to alternative energy is receiving serious attention globally and in this very way, biodiesel from inedible neem can be an alternative to conventional liquid fuels as it contains 30–45% wt of oil. In this study, esterification and transesterification reaction of methanol and triglycerides at a molar ratio of 7:1 was done and maximum 96% by volume biodiesel was extracted. Physiochemical properties of neem biodiesel lies within ASTM standards and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of neem biodiesel reveals the presence of strong esters and the alkane group. The maximum efficiencies were found to be 22.8% and 22.3%, whereas minimum brake specific fuel consumptions were observed to be 0.57 and 0.59 kg/kW-hr for diesel and B20, respectively. Moreover, B20 provides less emission of HC, COx and increase in NOx. Taking all into consideration, if at least 60% of the arid lands is utilised to cultivate neem trees then it will minimise the import of fossil fuel to an extent of 8.75%.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Acetone Soluble Oil of Azadirachta indica on Some Bacterial Strains

Medicinal and pesticidal properties of neem (Aadirachta indica) have been described for more than 4,000 years. In the present study, antibacterial properties of Aadirachta indica seed oil have been investigated against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilus, Rizobium meliloti and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by disc diffusion method. At 100% concentration, acetone soluble oil possessed the highest antibacterial activity causing 18 mm zone of inhibition against E. coli and 17 mm against P. aeruginosa as compared to ciprofloxacin used as a positive control. The 1inhibition zone showed a significant difference across all the bacteria (p<0.01) and concentrations (p<0.001). This study focuses the use of neem oil as an alternative to ciprofloxacin.

In vitro antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing effect of a methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica oil on selected cancerous and noncancerous cell lines

Objective: To find the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of neem oil extract on the selected cancerous (A-549, PC-3 and DU-145) and noncancerous (NIH3T3 and CCD-18Co) cell lines. Methods: Viability and cytotoxic effect induced by the extract was measured by using MTT assay and apoptotic effect of the extract was evaluated by using Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide dual staining through a fluorescent microscope and activity of caspases 3, 8 and 9 through colorimetric assay kits. Results: The results showed that neem oil extract significantly reduced the viability in all selected cancer cells treated with varying concentrations of extract as compared with untreated cells and had less effect on noncancerous cell lines. It significantly increased the percentage of necrotic and apoptotic cells, and caspases 3, 8 and 9 activities in all cancer cells treated with extract as compared with untreated cells whereas no effect on noncancerous cell lines. It suggested that neem oil extract exerted a higher cytotoxic effect on cancer cells than normal cells and lower concentration induced apoptosis only in cancer cells. One of the apoptosis-inducing mechanism was through the activation of caspases signaling pathways. Conclusion: Conclusively, it implies that neem oil extract may contain one or more potential agents that can be used as a safe and effective anticancer therapy.

Standardization of microencapsulation process of volatile oil of Azadirachta indica

Neem oil microcapsule gel was successfully prepared with wall material including gelatin and gum Arabic using coacervation technique by the researcher as an outcome of standardization of microencapsulation process of volatile oil of Azadirachta indica . An essential oil is the volatile lipophilic component extracted from plants. The use of medicinal plants is a universal phenomenon. The plant Neem belongs to the big mahogany family of Meliaceae and the genus Azadirachta of A. indica . The diverse biological activities of Neem essential oils can be applied on a large scale as antioxidant, antimicrobial agents comprising many important benefits including their volatility, lower level of risk to the environment than with synthetic ones. Findings of the study revealed that best results of microcapsules formation using Neem oil were obtained when the ratio of oil:gum:gelatin was kept 2:4:4, at optimized 50°C temperature having initial pH 4.5 and final pH 9.5.

IFT and friccohesity study of formulation, wetting, dewetting of liquid systems using oscosurvismeter

Interfacial tension (IFT, mN/m) of pepsin with water and aqueous FeCl3 solution at 20 to 63G were studied along with a mutual wettability of water and isobutyl alcohol (IBA) with sodium and ammonium acetates at 298.15K. The Gauss doses and four H atoms of CH3COONH4 have decreased the IFT contrary to CH3COONa. FeCl3 has catalysed interfacial activities of pepsin in aqueous solution with its manifold unfolding resulting a larger surface area (1/τ=cm2/mol). Internal structures and surface areas of pepsin with weaker cohesive forces were analysed with SEM and Survismeter on exposure of electromagnetic dose of 63G induced by 2.5A current. Dewetting of Azadirachta indica (neem) oil with 0.001 to 0.015mol/L aqueous cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) solutions was studied for reducing size of oil globules from <70μm to <100nm. Friccohesity a fundamental physicochemical property as a function of cohesive forces and spreading or frictional forces has resolved a closely placed interaction mechanism of water+(melamine-formaldehyde-polyvinylpyrrolidone=MFP) polymer resin mixtures. The focus has been on interacting molecular activities of magnetic field+FeCl3 on pepsin unfolding, acetate salts and surfactants to estimate water and IBA mutual solubilization, friccohesity of aqueous MFP resin. Stabilizing effect of pi-conjugation with a less mutual solubilization of benzene with water as compared to cyclohexane has produced higher IFT values. EDTA>borax>ninhydrin for 0.02 to 0.03mol/kg and borax>EDTA>ninhydrin orders for 0.04 to 0.08mol/kg substantiate a role of O atom due to its placement in chosen molecules.

Individual and synergist activities of monocrotophos with neem based pesticide, Vijayneem against Spodoptera litura Fab.

Evaluation of monocrotophos and Azadirachta indica oil, herein referred to as ‘Vijayneem’, were combined in ratios of 10% (10: 90), 20% (20: 80), 30% (30: 70), 40% (40: 60) and 50% (50: 50) [Monocrotophos: Vijayneem] under laboratory conditions to determine efficacy for properties of pesticidal, repellency, attraction, stimulant of consumption, development and reproduction. Asa biopesticide, Vijayneem oil (LC50 = 10.619%), caused greater mortality in dermal toxicity bioassays (LC50 = 18.045%) over ingestion. The greatest repellent activity was observed in third (Access Proportion Index = −0.25), fourth (API = −0.52) and fifth instar larvae (API = −0.67) in sprays of cotton leaves with monocrotophos. The detoxification enzymes like esterase (0.3, 11.1 μl/min/mg) and lactate dehydrogenase (6.8, 13.8 μl/min/mg) levels increased postingestion of treatments. Insects which ingested treated leaves showed an increase in carbohydrate (27.0, 18.0%), protein (4.7, 7.7%) and lipid (4.0, 10.4%) content. The greatest deformation of larvae, pupae and adults occurred in monocrotophos alone treatments, while the least deformities were recorded for monocrotophos + Vijayneem treatments. The male and female ratio and percentage of adult emergence was high in control than in A. indica oil alone treated S. litura. The greatest fecundity was observed in control (1620/4 female). In conclusion, the synergistic effects of A. indica oil + monocrotophos can be used for use the management of S. litura.

One pot peroxidation of oleic acid rich Azadirachta indica oil over bio‐waste derived heterogeneous catalyst

AbstractIn this work, a heterogeneous catalyst was developed from waste fish bone. ZnO was deposited onto the waste fish bone to enhance the surface properties along with ion exchangeability. After characterization, the developed catalyst was found to have a much higher surface area (217 m2 · g−1) than that of raw fish bone (10 m2 · g−1). This catalyst was used during peroxidation of oleic acid rich Azadirachta indica oil (neem oil) to observe its suitability and efficiency. A quadratic model was developed with five input variables (temperature (T), time (t), g/g of catalyst (HZn), H2O2:oil ratio (γH:FA), formic acid:oil ratio (γF:FA)) and 2 output variables (Iodine value, Oxirane Oxygen Conversion). The optimized parametric values for T, t, HZn, γH:FA, and γF:FA were found to be 60 °C, 3.88 h, 20 g/g, 19.05:1, and 19.85:1 respectively. The final epoxidized oil was characterized using FTIR and 1HNMR. The reusability of the catalyst was studied both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) on honey bee workers and queens, while applied to control Varroa destructor

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil on mortality and development of honey bee worker brood, queen oviposition, colony performance, and Varroa destructor mortality. As a hypothesis it was indicated that adequate concentrations of neem oil may control V. destructor without affecting bee colonies. Neem oil at concentrations of 0.33–21.1%, with 7.26–464.64 mg l−1 azadirachtin, was sprayed on bee (Apis mellifera) combs. Their effects on mortality and developmental time of the brood, worker bee response on feeding and capping the larvae, and number of eggs laid by the queen were quantified. A 21.1% oil concentration resulted in 100% egg mortality, but lower concentrations resulted in minimal egg mortality. Larvae that reached the fifth instar were capped and survived the presence of the oil, but when 21.1% was applied, their development was delayed one to two days. With concentrations of 5.3 and 10.6% (116.2 and 232.3 mg l−1 of azadirachtin, respectively), queen oviposition was not significantly different from the control, but 10.6% slightly decreased oviposition. The highest V. destructor mortality (85%) was proportional to the concentration and number of spray applications. When neem oil was applied to hives, none of the concentrations used decreased bee population, capped worker larvae or the reserves of honey and pollen. However, two queens died after one application of 5.3% and three applications of 10.6%.

Ethyl biodiesel production from non-edible oils of Balanites aegyptiaca, Azadirachta indica, and Jatropha curcas seeds – Laboratory scale development

By starting first at the laboratory scale, optimal operating conditions for the reaction unit aimed at producing ethyl biodiesels from non-edible vegetable oils (NEVO) were determined with the ultimate objective of proposing an on-farm processing technology that should be sustainable for emerging countries. Three NEVO widely available in Burkina Faso were selected: Balanites aegyptiaca (BA), Azadirachta indica (AI), and Jatropha curcas (JC) oils. Their conversion to fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) was conducted via a two-stage procedure under atmospheric pressure: an alkali-catalyzed ethanolysis at ambient temperature for the BA and AI oils (leading to 93 and 87 wt.% FAEE respectively) and an acid-catalyzed ethanolysis at the normal boiling of the alcohol for the JC oil (leading to 89 wt.% FAEE). Based on the intermediate addition of glycerol at ambient temperature, the two-stage procedure combines chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, and phase equilibrium phenomena.

Óleos essenciais e vegetais no controle in vitro de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antifúngica de óleos essenciais e vegetais no controle in vitro de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, agente causal da antracnose em pós-colheita de frutíferas. Treze óleos essenciais foram utilizados em concentrações de 0,00%, 0,40%, 0,80%, 1,70%, 3,20%, 6,25%, 12,50%, 25,00%, 50,00% e 100,00%, e uma linhagem padrão de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Foram avaliadas a concentração inibitória mínima e a concentração mínima fungicida a fim de caracterizar o potencial de cada um dos óleos essenciais avaliados. Verificou-se que os óleos utilizados apresentaram atividade fungicida em diferentes concentrações, as quais variaram de 0,80% (melaleuca), 3,20%, (eucalipto), 6,25% (limão, capim limão, cravo da índia, canela e nim), 12,5% (hortelã e citronela), 25% (copaíba), 50% (coco e gengibre) e 100% (manjericão). O óleo de nim apresentou maior redução da carga microbiana em função do tempo de exposição, sendo necessários 30 minutos para anulação da contagem microbiana. O efeito antifúngico dos óleos essenciais, para controle de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, depende da planta e da concentração empregada.

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.

In vitro Bacteriostatic Effect of a Scaffold with a Mixture of Hypericum perforatum and Azadirachta indica Oil Extracts

In vitro Bacteriostatic Effect of a Scaffold with a Mixture of Hypericum perforatum and Azadirachta indica Oil Extracts

Larvicidal and ovideterrent properties of neem oil and fractions against the filariasis vector Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae): a bioactivity survey across production sites.

Neem seed oil (NSO) of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) contains more than 100 determined biologically active compounds, and many formulations deriving from them showed toxicity, antifeedancy and repellence against a number of arthropod pests. However, it is widely known that botanical products can differ in their chemical composition and bioactivity, as function of the production site and production process. We used high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) to investigate differences in chemical constituents of NSOs from three production sites. HPTLC analyses showed several differences in chemical abundance and diversity among NSOs, with special reference to limonoids. Furthermore, the three NSOs and their fractions of increasing polarities [i.e. ethyl acetate (EA) fraction and butanol (BU) fraction] were evaluated for larvicidal toxicity and field oviposition deterrence against the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, currently the most invasive mosquito worldwide. Results from bioactivity experiments showed good toxicity of NSOs and EA fractions against A. albopictus fourth instar larvae (with LC50 values ranging from 142.28 to 209.73 ppm), while little toxicity was exerted by BU fractions. A significant effect of the production site and dosage was also found and is probably linked to differences in abundance of constituents among samples, as highlighted by HPTLC analyses. NSOs and EAs were also able to deter A. albopictus oviposition in the field (effective repellence values ranging from 98.55 to 70.10%), while little effectiveness of BU fractions was found. Concerning ovideterrent activity, no difference due to the production site was found. This is the first report concerning larvicidal toxicity of NSO against A. albopictus and ovideterrence against Culicidae in the field. The chance to use chemicals from the NSO EA fraction seems promising, since they are effective at lower doses, if compared to synthetic products currently marketed, and could be an advantageous alternative to build newer and safer mosquito control tools.

Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Yields, Soil Nitrous Oxide Emission, and Soil Nitrogen Transformation Affected by Nitrification Inhibitors in Loamy Sand Soil in Thailand

The effects of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) on soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, soil ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−), and cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) yields were investigated in a loamy sand soil in eastern Thailand. Treatments were chemical fertilizer (CF) and CF plus dicyandiamide (DCD) or neem (Azadirachta indica) oil at two rates of 5% and 10%. DCD had a greater reduction of soil N2O flux than the neem oil (P<0.10). DCD and neem oil retained NH4+-N in the soil by 79% and 63% (P ≤ 0.10), respectively. The NI effect on soil NO3−-N was small due to a low N fertilizer rate. The cassava root yield and N uptake were increased 4–11% and 2–18%, respectively, by use of NIs, but they were only significant for DCD (P ≤ 0.10). These findings suggest that NIs application may be a promising method for minimizing nitrogen loss and enhancing crop yields in a tropical cassava field.

Impregnation of mosquito net with Neem seed (Azadirachta indica) oil and its insecticidal action

Malaria is a persistent health problem in Africa which requires multidimensional approaches to solve. Insecticide treated net has proved highly invaluable as one of the tools. Neem oil was extracted by solvent extraction in the present study and the oil was used to impregnate bednet. The result showed that the neem oil is a good mosquito repellant, in which its potential could be harnessed for further study. Key words: Malaria, Neem seeds, bednet.

Tertiary Combination of Freeze-dried Urine of Indian Breeds of Cow with Plant Products Against Snail Lymnaea acuminata

Snail Lymnaea acuminata is the intermediate host of liver fluke Fasciola gigantica, which cause endemic fasciolosis among cattle population of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Control of snail population by molluscicides is one of the effective methods to control fasciolosis. In the present study molluscicidal activity of tertiary combination of freeze-dried urine of different Indian breeds of cow Sahiwal, Geer and Tharparkar with Annona squamosa seed powder, Ferula asafoetida root latex, Azadirachta indica oil and Camellia sinensis leaves have been tested against Lymnaea acuminata. It was noted that the toxicity of tertiary combination (1:1:5) of cow urine kept for 15 days in sunlight or laboratory condition with different plant products were highly toxic against snail L. acuminata. 96 h LC50 of tertiary combinations with Sahiwal urine kept for 15 days in sunlight with A. squamosa, F. asafoetida, A. indica oil and C. sinensis were 35.47 mg L(-1), 37.13 mg L(-1), 33.66 mg L(-1), respectively higher than the Geer and Tharparkar. The toxicity of Sahiwal urine kept for 15 days in laboratory condition with A. squamosa and C. sinensis (96 h LC50 28.28 mg L(-1)) was more potent than the all other combinations. Cow urine in combination with plant product can be used for effective control of snail.

Binary Combination of Different Breeds of Freeze-Dried Cow Urine (FCU) with Some Plant Molluscicides against Lymnaea acuminata: Vector of Fasciolosis

Molluscicidal activity of binary combination of different breeds of freeze-dried cow urine (FCU) such as Sahiwal, Geer and Tharparkar with plant molluscicides viz Annona squamosa seed powder, Azadirachta indica oil, Ferula asafoetida root latex and Camellia sinensis against harmful snail Lymnaea acuminata have been studied. It was observed that the toxicity of binary combination (1:1) of plant molluscicides and different breeds of freeze-dried cow urine (FCU) kept for 15 days in sunlight (8h/day) and laboratory condition were toxic against L. acuminata. Among all combinations, the toxicity of Sahiwal freeze-dried cow urine + A. squamosa (24h LC50 -97.27mg/l and 96h LC50 -36.19mg/l) kept for 15 days in sunlight (8h/day) was higher than the Geer and Tharparkar freeze-dried cow urine. Toxicity of laboratory condition of Sahiwal freeze-dried cow urine + A. squamosa (24h LC50 -81.40mg/l and 96h LC50 -34.30mg/l) was more toxic than other binary combination of cow breeds and plants molluscicides. The different breeds of cow urine under the 15 days sun- light (8h/day) and laboratory conditions freeze-dried with different plant molluscicides are potent molluscicides.

Larvicidal Efficacy of Crude Seed Extracts of Six Important Oil Yielding Plants of North East India against the Mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus

The use of botanicals as an alternative to the chemical compounds is gaining tremendous momentum because of its multifarious advantages. In view of its increasing interest, an attempt was made in the present study to assess the larvicidal potential of a few plants like Pongamia pinnata, Azadirachta indica, Croton tiglium, Cascabela thevetia, Ricinus communis and Datura stramonium against two medically important mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The late third and fourth instars larvae were exposed to different concentration (i.e. 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 ppm) of crude oil extracts of seeds of all the six plants. The seed extracts of P. pinnata showed highest larvicidal activity with LC 50 value of 18.35 ppm and 26.21 ppm against the larvae of Ae. aegypti and C. quinque fasciatus respectively. Crude seed oil of Azadirachta indica, Croton tiglium, Cascabela thevetia, Ricinus communis and Datura stramonium also having moderate larvicidal potency with LC 50 value of 23.64, 82.08, 95.19, 80.83 & 88.69 ppm against Ae. aegypti and 54.77, 104.38, 140.99, 113.22 & 92.12 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus. These results suggest that the crude seed extracts of all the six plants might be considered promising as larvicide against both the targeted mosquitoes. It may be projected that considering the wide distribution and availability of these trees in this N.E. region of India, this may be developed and used as readily available and cheap natural insecticides for mosquito control.