Re: Have natural pesticide properties of Agadirechta indica L been identified?

Dear Joanne;

The Indian neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) has been used for centuries for it's medicinal and agrochemical properties. Although neem has been used for a variety of purposes, a major use for neem has been for its pesticidal properties. You are correct in that neem contains an ingredient that effects fungi especially those that produce aflatoxin, a highly toxic chemical found on mouldy peanuts, corn, and other foods. Neem extracts are also used as an insecticide, the active component being azadiractin.

I was able to locate one research paper which suggested that azidiractin was the chemical also responsible for the fungicidal activity of neem. There are many reports on the insecticidal activity of azadiractin. Two recent articles can be found in the latest issue of Pesticide Science (Vol. 54, Number 3, November 1998). You can obtain a free copy of the Journal by contacting the publisher.

[1] The effect of neem-based products on bacterial and fungal growth. Coventry, E.; Allan, E. J. Department of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 5UA, UK. Pract. Oriented Results Use Prod. Neem-Ingredients Pheromones, Proc. Workshop, 5th (1997), 237-242. Editor(s): Kleeberg, Hubertus; Zebitz, Claus P. W. Publisher: Druck & Graphic, Giessen, Germany.