Showing papers on "Azadirachta published in 2020"

Influence of Microwave Radiation on Dyeing of Bio-mordanted Silk Fabric using Neem Bark (Azadirachta indica)-Based Tannin Natural Dye

Abstract: The utilization of bio-mordants to make natural coloring process more eco-friendly is gaining worldwide fame, whereas the addition of microwave treatment has added value to the extraction of colora...

Harnessing the Phytotherapeutic Treasure Troves of the Ancient Medicinal Plant Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Associated Endophytic Microorganisms

Abstract: Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, is an evergreen tree of the tropics and sub-tropics native to the Indian subcontinent with demonstrated ethnomedicinal value and importance in agriculture as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. This ancient medicinal tree, often called the “wonder tree”, is regarded as a chemical factory of diverse and complex compounds with a plethora of structural scaffolds that is very difficult to mimic by chemical synthesis. Such multifaceted chemical diversity leads to a fantastic repertoire of functional traits, encompassing a wide variety of biological activity and unique modes of action against specific and generalist pathogens and pests. Until now, more than 400 compounds have been isolated from different parts of neem including important bioactive secondary metabolites such as azadirachtin, nimbidin, nimbin, nimbolide, gedunin, and many more. In addition to its insecticidal property, the plant is also known for antimicrobial, antimalarial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, hypoglycaemic, antiulcer, antifertility, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anxiolytic, molluscicidal, acaricidal, and antifilarial properties. Notwithstanding the chemical and biological virtuosity of neem, it has also been extensively explored for associated microorganisms, especially a class of mutualists called endophytic microorganisms (or endophytes). More than 30 compounds, including neem “mimetic” compounds, have been reported from endophytes harbored in the neem trees in different ecological niches. In this review, we provide an informative and in-depth overview of the topic that can serve as a point of reference for an understanding of the functions and applications of a medicinal plant such as neem, including associated endophytes, within the overall theme of phytopathology. Our review further exemplifies the already-noted current surge of interest in plant and microbial natural products for implications both within the ecological and clinical settings, for a more secure and sustainable future.

Enhanced Biosynthesis Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) for their Antifungal Activity Toxicity against Major Phyto-Pathogens of Apple Orchards

Abstract: The present study made an attempt to develop copper nanoparticles (Cu-NP) with antifungal property using green synthesis method. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) botanically synthesized using Neem leaf extract (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) were characterized by using different techniques like; UV–visible spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM. Materials were chosen the disease free and fresh Azadirachta indica A. Juss were collected and identified at Center of Biodiversity and Taxonomy. The plant samples were vigorously washed with distilled water then shade dried followed by sterilization with 0.1% mercuric chloride for 20 s and again it was washed with distilled water. 15 g powder form of plant material was added to 200 ml double distilled, CO2 free and deionized water and kept in shaker at 80°C and 1500 rpm for six hours. After agitation, the extract was separated by regular centrifugation at 10,000 rpm followed by filtration by using whatmann filter paper. The final volume of 100 ml of supernatant was collected as pure extract and stored in cool place for further use. The final results confirm a significant inhibition of CuO-NPs for the test fungi. Additionally, CuO-NPs demonstrated an enhanced effect when combined with Neem leaf extract. A total of 20–30% improvement in activity was noticed after combination, which correlates with commonly used synthetic fungicides. The toxicity results reveal that A. indica extract and their combined fractions with CuO-NP were less toxic to the test seeds of experimental plant while as bulk Cu followed by biosynthesized CuO-NPs influenced the germination rate as compared to control pots. The study drops a concern of research and offers a promising route of developing Copper based green fungicides that can help to combat with modern issues of synthetic fungicides. An average size of 80 ± 15 nm monoclinic cupric oxide (CuO) and cubic cuprous oxides (Cu2O) nanocrystals that existed in mixed form were successfully developed.

Use of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) as a biopesticide in agriculture: A review

Abstract: Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is a member of Meliaceae family, a fast-growing tropical evergreen plant whose products were found effective against economically important insect pests and diseases. All parts of this plant particularly leaf, bark, and root extracts have the biopesticidal activities. Azadirachtin, a biopesticide obtained from neem extract, can be used for con-trolling various insect pests in agriculture. It acts on insects by repelling them, by inhibiting feeding, and by disrupting their growth, and reproduction. Neem-based formulations do not usually kill insects directly, but they can alter their behavior in significant ways to reduce pest damage to crops and reduce their reproductive potential. The neem is considered as an eas-ily accessible, eco-friendly, biodegradable, cheap, and non-toxic biopesticide which control the target pests. Thus, this re-view highlighted the extract, byproducts and roles of neem that can be used as potential biopesticide in agriculture.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Coloured Callus Formation and Accumulation of Azadirachtin, an Essential Biopesticide in Azadirachta indica

Abstract: For centuries, Azadirachta indica or neem has been utilized as a primary source of medicine due to its antimicrobial, larvacidal, antimalarial and antifungal properties. Recently, its potential as an effective biopesticide has garnered attention, especially towards efficient and continuous production of its bioactive compounds. The present study investigated the effect of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) thiadiazuron (TDZ) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the induction of colored callus formation and subsequent accumulation of azadirachtin (AZA) in A. indica. An efficient protocol was established for micropropagation and colored callus production of this species, followed by quantification of AZA (a mixture of azadirachtin A and B) and its safety assessment. For induction of the callus, leaf and petiole explants obtained from a young growing neem plant were excised and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with TDZ (0.2–0.6 mg L−1) and 2,4-D (0.2–0.6 mg L−1), either applied singly or in combination. Callus was successfully induced from both explant types at different rates, where media with 0.6 mg L−1 of TDZ resulted in the highest fresh weight (3.38 ± 0.08 g). In general, media with a single hormone (particularly TDZ) was more effective in producing a high mass of callus compared to combined PGRs. A culture duration of six weeks resulted in the production of green, brown and cream colored callus. The highest callus weight and accumulation of AZA was recorded in green callus (214.53 ± 33.63 mg g−1 dry weight (DW)) induced using TDZ. On the other hand, small amounts of AZA were detected in both brown and cream callus. Further experimentation indicated that the green callus with the highest AZA was found to be non-toxic (LC50 at 4606 µg mL−1) to the zebrafish animal model. These results suggested that the addition of different PGRs during in vitro culture could prominently affect callus and secondary metabolite production and can further be manipulated as a sustainable method for the production of a natural and environmentally friendly pesticide.

Molecular Docking of Natural Compounds from Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and neem (Azadirachta indica) against SARS-CoV-2 Protein Targets

Abstract: Background: Antiviral activity of tulsi and neem extracts are widely reported. Selected natural compounds from tulsi and neem were hence screened for their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 targets. Materials and Methods: Using molecular docking tools, the binding efficacy ofnatural compounds from tulsi and neem were tested against three key SARS-CoV-2 targets i.e., 1) surface glycoprotein (6VSB) responsible for viral attachment, 2) RNA dependent RNA polymerase (6M71) responsible for viral replication and 3) main protease (6Y84) responsible for viral replication. Results: Methyl eugenol, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid had high binding efficacy against surface spike glycoprotein and RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2. Epoxyazadiradione, Gedunin, Methyl eugenol, Oleanolic acid and Ursolic acid showed high binding efficacy against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. Binding efficacy of natural compounds from tulsi and neem was superior to that of the standard drugs Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Remdesivir. Conclusion: Natural compounds from tulsi and neem have high binding efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 targets involved in viral attachment and replication, hence will be useful in the management of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum leaf extracts alleviate arsenic toxicity by reducing arsenic uptake and improving antioxidant system in rice seedlings

Abstract: In the present study the potentials of aqueous extracts of the two plants, neem (Azadirachta indica) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) were examined in alleviating arsenic toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants grown in hydroponics. Seedlings of rice grown for 8 days in nutrient solution containing 50 μM sodium arsenite showed decline in growth, reduced biomass, altered membrane permeability and increased production of superoxide anion (O2·−), H2O2 and hydroxyl radicals (·OH). Increased lipid peroxidation marked by elevated TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) level, increased protein carbonylation, alterated levels of ascorbate, glutathione and increased activities of enzymes SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), APX (ascorbate peroxidase) and GPX (glutathione peroxidase) were noted in the seedlings on As treatment. Exogenously added leaf aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (0.75 mg mL−1, w/v) and Ocimum sanctum (0.87 mg mL−1, w/v) in the growth medium considerably alleviated As toxicity effects in the seedlings, marked by reduced As uptake, restoration of membrane integrity, reduced production of ROS, lowering oxidative damage and restoring the levels of ascorbate, glutathione and activity levels of antioxidative enzymes. Arsenic uptake in the seedlings declined by 72.5% in roots and 72.8% in shoots, when A. indica extract was present in the As treatment medium whereas with O. sanctum extract, the uptake declined by 67.2% in roots and 70.01% in shoots. Results suggest that both A. indica and O. sanctum aqueous extracts have potentials to alleviate arsenic toxicity in rice plants and that A. indica can serve as better As toxicity alleviator compared to O. sanctum.

Modeling of Azadirachta indica Leaves Powder Efficiency for the Remediation of Soil Contaminated With Crude Oil

Abstract: A regression analysis model was developed to examine the reliability and the acceptability of the sun-dried and room-dried Azadirachta indica leaves for the remediation crude oil contaminated soil in Niger Deltal, Nigeria. An experimental approach was used to monitor the concentration of the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation that was enhanced in the presence of the microbes in the reactor. A regression analysis was performed to evaluate the reaction behavior microbes in reactor for the remediation of the TPH in the presence of sun-dried and room-dried A. indica leaves in sandy and loamy soils contaminated with 100 ml of crude oil. The physicochemical properties of control loamy soil was as; pH (6.75), electric conductivity (10.36 µS/cm), total oxygen (2.99%), total Nitrogen (0.091%), potassium (36.82942%), phosphorus (15.36%) and total bacteria (2.15×102 cfu/g). Whereas, these values were as pH (6.82), electric conductivity (21.48 µS/cm), total oxygen content (1.18%), total nitrogen (0.036%), potassium (24.03681%), phosphorus (5.18%) and total bacteria count (1.86×102 cfu/g) for sandy soil. The inoculant was prepared by blending sun-dried and room-dried A. indica leaves. The blended A. indica leaves in 50 to 100 g range were applied on the polluted soils for 35 days and significant reduction in contaminating agents was observed. The highest remediation was observed in soils treated with 100 g room dried A. indica leaves. A 96% remediation recorded in sandy soil treated with 100 g room dried A. indica leaves as TPH depleted from 35818.69 mg/kg to 1349.109 mg/kg and 92% reduction was observed in loamy soil treated with 100 g dried A. indica leaves and TPH depleted from 48508.92 mg/kg to 3977.739 mg/kg. The regression model developed was successfully employed to predict TPH remediation behavior, which can be applied to monitor remediation of contaminated soil.

A review of the anticancer activity of Azadirachta indica (Neem) in oral cancer.

Abstract: Background Azadirachta indica (neem), belongs to the family of Meliaceae plants, is found in the Indian subcontinent. The neem tree is colloquially referred to as the village pharmacy due to its array of biological properties. Every part of the neem tree like its bark, leaves, sap, fruit, seeds, and twigs find a multitude of uses. It is customary to use them for management of skin diseases and various other infections. The anticancer properties of neem have been studied in the past and these include its ability to modulate the tumour environment, increase the cytotoxic ability of host monocytes and suppress the proliferation of tumour cells. The present review was conducted with the objective of scrutinizing and assimilating data about the usefulness Azadirachta indica in oral cancer from all the previously done work. Material and methods A planned review was conducted of all the studies that investigated the role of Azadirachta indica in oral cancer. Literature search was carried out using PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar databases. In addition to electronic searching, hand searching, cross referencing and various internet engines were also used to collect data. The articles were perused and articles not pertinent to our search were omitted. Results and conclusion The anticancer properties of neem were evaluated and the active constituents of neem have been demonstrated to unequivocally have preventive and therapeutic potential against oral cancer. Although, greater exploration of the anticancer properties of neem are required in order to effectively integrate it into the routine management of oral cancer.

Possible role of traditional medicinal plant neem (Azadirachta indica) for the management of COVID-19 infection

Abstract: The novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) was originated from Wuhan, China. Afterwards, COVID-19 outbreak was declared as a Public Health Emer-gency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). Now, around two and a half million people are suffering and several thousand are dead worldwide due to the highly infectious and deadly nature of the virus. Unfortunately, no standard medicine or vaccine is available to treat the dis-ease. The major clinical symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, chills, cough, fatigue, respiratory symptoms, diarrhoea, and shortness of breath. Clinical symptom-based Indian traditional medicinal practices like Ayurveda and Siddha could be beneficial to treat and prevent the infection. Indian origin traditional medicinal plant Neem (Azadirachta indica) has been reported to have antiviral potential against bovine herpes virus type-1, poliovirus type 1, duck plague virus, dengue virus type-2, newcastle disease virus, infectious bursal disease virus, avian influenza virus, and group B coxsackievirus. Neem is widely used as Ayurvedic medicine to treat fever, cough, asthma, and diarrhoea, which are also reported as the common clinical symptoms of COVID-19. Neem is reported to enhance both humoral and cell-mediated immune response dur-ing viral infection. Multidimensional antiviral therapeutic potentials of Neem insist on hypothesizing its probable application to control COVID-19 along with modern medicinal practices. But, a series of experimental database and translational research is required to establish the hypothesis.

Fabrication of mesoporous titanium dioxide using Azadirachta indica leaves extract towards visible-light-driven photocatalytic dye degradation

Abstract: An environmental benign, straightforward and financially savvy technique has been developed to fabricate mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructure utilizing Azadirachta indica leaves extract. The aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica leaves act as a template which upon calcination at high temperature generated mesoporous TiO2. The structure of the mesoporous TiO2 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and isothermal gas adsorption-desorption (BET). It has been found that the crystallinity and pore diameter of mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) depends on the amount of Azadirachta indica leaves extract, resulting in enhanced crystallinity with an increasing amount of Azadirachta indica leaves extract. The pore diameter was found somewhere in the range from 16.67 to 46.19 nm, and the BET surface area varies from 8.55–157.35 m2/g. Finally, we have explored as-synthesized mesoporous TiO2 for visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine 6 G (R6 G) dye. It is noteworthy that the photocatalytic degradation rate of R6 G in presence of as-synthesized mesoporous TiO2 depends only on the amount of plant extract used and not on temperature and other factors. This is presumably due to the increased optical band gap of TiO2.

The toxicity of neem (Azadirachta indica), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), castor (Ricinus communis), and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) oil against Spodoptera frugiferda

Abstract: Major or key pest in corn plantation recently reported in Indonesia was Spodoptera frugiperda, a polyphagous pest that have a fast spread rate and caused high damage on young corn. One of pest control that able to use is botanical insecticide. The experiment begins with a screening test of neem, jatropha, clove, and citronella oil, and then continued with bioassay of the botanicals oil that cause higher mortality to test insect. Every kind of botanicals oils tested at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.05% against S. frugiperda. Tests carried out using the feeding assay or residue on corn leaves (size 5 x 5 cm). Then, the leaf treatment was given to 10 larvae of S. frugiperda (instars 2) for 48 hours. After that, the leaf replaced with untreated baby corn as feed until the larvae develop to pupa. The control leaves only treated with aquades contain mixture of emulsifier Tween 80 and Span 80 (ratio 4:1) at concentration of 0,5%. The kind of botanical oil that caused the highest mortality of the test insect larvae was further bioassay to determine the relationship of concentration with test insect mortality. The testing was carried out using a series of concentrations which resulted in the death of test insects between 0

Evaluation of the Effect of an Aqueous Extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) Leaves and Twigs on Glycemic Control, Endothelial Dysfunction and Systemic Inflammation in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

Abstract: Purpose Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) offers different bioactives ranging from pesticides to therapeutic molecules, depending on which part of the plant is used and the extraction methodology and the solvent used. This study was aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of a standardized aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica leaves and twigs (NEEM) on glycemic control, endothelial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study (RCT), 80 T2DM subjects, who have already been on standard metformin therapy, received either 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg of NEEM or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Postprandial blood sugar level (PPBS), fasting blood sugar level (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin resistance (IR), endothelial function, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, IL-6 and TNF-α, platelet aggregation and lipid profile were assessed. Adverse drug reactions, if any, were noted. GraphPad Prism 8 was used to perform statistical analysis. Results NEEM at the doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg BID significantly reduced PPBS (from 194.4±14 to 173.1±12.8mg/dL, 192.3±17.1 to 161.8±9.7mg/dL, and 205.9±7.2 to 159.3±7.1mg/dL, respectively), FBS (from 119.2±5.0 to 109.2±5.7mg/dL, 115.5±4.4 to 103.7±4.2mg/dL, and 120.7±4.2 to 97.3±3.7mg/dL, respectively), HbA1c (from 6.87 ± 0.4% to 6.64 ± 0.4%, 7.52 ± 0.4% to 6.86 ± 0.3%, and 7.78 ± 0.2% to 6.26 ± 0.4%, respectively), and IR (from 4.5 ± 1.2 to 3.4 ± 0.9, 3.8 ± 1.1 to 2.5 ± 0.6, and 4.6 ± 1.3 to 2.0 ± 0.6, respectively) compared to placebo. Also, NEEM significantly improved endothelial function, decreased oxidative stress and systemic inflammation compared to placebo. The efficacy was significant with all the doses, but no effect on platelet aggregation or lipid profile was observed. Conclusion NEEM may significantly ameliorate hyperglycemia, endothelial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation, on top of what metformin could do, in subjects with T2DM.

Ethnopharmacological evaluation of schistosomicidal and cercaricidal activities of some selected medicinal plants from Ghana.

Abstract: The adulticidal and cercaricidal activities of five Ghanaian medicinal plants, namely, Phyllanthus amarus, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Morinda lucida and Nauclea latifolia against S. mansoni were evaluated in this study. Six weeks old ICR mice (n = 25) were percutaneously infected with S. mansoni cercariae. Nine weeks later, infected mice (n = 5) were anaesthetised and perfused for adult S. mansoni. Cercariae were treated with different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25 μg/mL) of methanolic extracts of the experimenting plants in triplicates. Adult S. mansoni incopula were also treated with same concentrations of each extract or 20 μg/mL praziquantel. The cercariae and adult worms were observed at time intervals for 180 min and 120 h to assess mortality and viability respectively. Additionally, 9-week cercariae-infected mice (4 groups of 5 mice) were treated with either 500 mg/kg po A. indica or V. amygdalina, 400 mg/kg po praziquantel or distilled water for 14 days. The mice were euthanized after adult worms were recovered from them. The liver was processed and histologically examined for granuloma formations. All the plants exhibited varying cercaricidal and adulticidal activities against S. mansoni in a time and concentration-dependent manner. A. indica (3 h IC50 = 27.62 μg/mL) and V. amygdalina (3 h IC50 = 35.84 μg/mL) exerted the highest cercaricidal activity. Worm recovery after treatment with V. amygdalina, A. indica and praziquantel in vivo was 48.8%, 85.1 % and 59.9 % respectively (p < 0.05). A. indica and V. amydalina-treated mice recorded lesser mean liver and spleen weights compared to untreated groups (p < 0.05). A. indica demonstrated the highest cercaricidal and alduticidal activities in vitro, whereas V. amygdalina exhibited the most potent aldulticidal activity in vivo. This study could provide baseline information which can be used to develop plant-based alternative commercial drugs against S. mansoni.

Repellent effect of neem oil (Azadirachta indica a. Juss) against mosquitoes (Anophelex spp) in piglets.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the repellent efficacy for mosquitoes (Anophelex spp) of three doses of neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) in pigs under field conditions. The research was carried out at a time of year of abundance of mosquitoes in Tumbes, Peru. Forty recently weaned piglets were used, 10 per treatment, kept in indoor cages protected against mosquitoes. For the field test, four piglets per day were exposed randomly in external cages without protection to the mosquito (a different animal for each treatment per day) for 14 days over a period of two months. Neem oil was extracted with the soxhlet apparatus and the formula included 30% glycerin, 1, 2 or 3% neem oil (T1, T2, T3, respectively), and taken to 100% with pharmaceutical alcohol. A dose of 50 ml/piglet distributed throughout the body was applied. The bites and the number of mosquitoes were evaluated on four occasions of 15 minutes for three hours per day (06:15, 07:00, 07:45, 08:30) with intervals of 30 minutes of protection to the piglets. The mosquitoes biting the piglets (red abdomen) were collected using manual vacuum cleaners. The neem oil yield was 43.25 ± 1.28%. The percentage of repellency was 88.74 ± 6.15, 75.66 ± 11.08 and 52.27 ± 12.83% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively (p<0.05). The percentage of protection (repellent efficiency) was 93.92 ± 11.19, 85.71 ± 7.54 and 67.78 ± 3.66% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively (p<0.05). The average number of mosquitos in the control group, T0 (without repellent dose) was 365.54 ± 646.82 bites/day, being different (p<0.05) to the treated groups T1, T2 and T3 (49.98 ± 89.11; 113.82 ± 299.95; 19.52 ± 34.41 bites/day, respectively, and without significant difference between the treated groups. The Repellency Index (IR) for T1, T2 and T3 was 0.47, 0.24 and 0.10, respectively, which shows that the dose used in T3 showed a higher level of repellency and efficacy against mosquitoes.

Combined efficacy of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera leaves extract as a potential coagulant in ground water treatment

Abstract: Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera plants have been reported to have strong prospective in the improvement of physiological and chemical parameters of water however very few studies have been reported towards investigating the potential of combinatorial treatment of plant extracts in water treatment. Therefore in this study, we have tried to investigate the efficacy of combined treatment of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera leaves extract in hexane on ground water. We have used Jar apparatus test (flocculator) to evaluate the purification potential of combined plant extracts treatment on physiological and chemical parameter of ground water in a dose dependent manner. Our experimental findings have strongly proven the better potential of combined extract on different water quality parameters including pH (8.4–7.1), total dissolved solids (525–201), total hardness (253–127), turbidity (15.70–5.10), fluoride content (2.80–1.00), and Escherichia coli count (325–30) in comparison to individual extracts of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera leaves extract at the similar doses (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L). Therefore combinatorial treatment could be a strong alternate to the individual extracts in water purification.

Larvicidal Action of Cannabidiol Oil and Neem Oil against Three Stored Product Insect Pests: Effect on Survival Time and in Progeny

Abstract: SStored product pests can be detrimental to agricultural produce. As much as chemical pesticides are effective control agents, they involve several environmental and health risks. Within the framework of studies on alternative pest management methods, interest has focused on a plethora of plants whose extracts have demonstrated promising action as insecticides. Azadirachta indica and the derived neem oil have been extensively tested against many harmful insect species. In contrast, Cannabis sativa L. and its main compound, CBD, a highly concentrated cannabinoid, have not been investigated much. The present study examined the potential insecticidal activity of CBD and neem oils against 4th instar larvae of Tribolium confusum, Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Plodia interpunctella on wheat, rice and corn seeds. Treatment efficacy was expressed in terms of larval mortality. Mortality was observed in relation to dosage, time exposure intervals and product types. The results showed clear pesticidal activity for both oils, which at high doses induced significant mortality. The treatments produced significantly fewer offspring in the insect species tested than the control. The efficacy of treatment in progeny suppression was, as expected, dose dependent.

Evaluating the repellent effect of four botanicals against two Bactrocera species on mangoes.

Abstract: Background Bactrocera dorsalis and B. correcta are economically important fruit fly pests of crops, vegetables, fruits, and nuts worldwide, especially in China. Nowadays in China, B. correcta is a second notorious pest of many fruits after B. dorsalis. Different botanicals have been tested against the B. dorsalis but in the case of B. correcta, no records were published. Methodology This study evaluated the repellency of four botanicals (Seriphidium brevifolium, Piper nigrum, Azadirachta indica and quercetin) in acetone dilutions (5%, 2.5% and 1%) against the B. dorsalis and B. correcta at the laboratory conditions (25 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity, and a photoperiod of L:D 14:10 h). Results The number of visits after 24-48 h, oviposition punctures, and pupae made by both species were lower on the treated mangoes in comparison to untreated mangoes. S. brevifolium, P. nigrum, A. indica and quercetin have significantly reduced the visits, ovipositional punctures, and pupae of both species. Among botanicals, the P. nigrum was the most effective repellent against B. correcta and as well as B. dorsalis. However, the harmful effects of these botanicals against natural enemies are still unknown.