THE PRODUCTION OF AZADIRACHTIN BY IN-VITRO TISSUE-CULTURES OF NEEM, AZADIRACHTA-INDICA

Callus produced from leaves of a Ghanaian strain of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss has been shown to produce the natural insecticide azadirachtin when grown in a defined medium. The azadirachtin was isolated by standard procedures of solvent partition and column chromatography monitored by supercritical fluid chromatography. Biological activity was monitored with antifeedant tests using the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forsk.). The azadirachtin was identified by chromatography on three independent chromatographic systems (SFC, HPLC and TLC) and two thin-layer colour tests. It has 100% antifeedant activity at < 0.04 mg litre(-1). The yield of azadirachtin was 0.0007% based on dry weight of callus.