Abstract :
Abstract - The Neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) has
been known as the wonder tree for centuries in the Indian
subcontinent as it offers answers to some of the major
concerns facing humankind. Its mammalian safety and
environmental friendliness reports are highly encouraging. A
key advantage to using Neem, as opposed to some medical
treatments and other herbs, is its harmlessness on human
health. Millions have been using Neem over thousands of
years and no hazards have been documented for normal
dosages. The general class of these compounds found in neem
is triterpenes, within which, the most effective are the
limonoids, which are abundant in Neem oil. Azadirachtin, a
limonoid, has been found to be the main ingredient for
fighting insects and pests, being up to 90% effective in most
instances. It repels and disrupts the life cycle, however does
not kill immediately, but is nonetheless is one of the most
effective growth and feeding deterrents ever examined.
Meliantriol is another feeding inhibitor, which prevents
locusts chewing, and has therefore been in traditional use in
India for crop protection. In this , we develop two batch
processes for neem pesticide production, water- based neem
leaf extract and neem oil based pesticide. The former can be
sprayed directly on the infestation, while the latter can be
diluted to the concentration needed, according to the degree
of infestation on the plant. For the oil-based pesticide, we
study the kinetics and thermodynamics pertinent to the
extraction process, thus to prove that the extraction process
carried out is a feasible one.
