ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 5

The Extraction and Determination of Azadirachtin from Soil and Insects by Supercritical Fluid Extraction
Brooks, MW
Research chemist, Agricultural Products Group, FMC Inc., NJ

Roy, S
Graduate student and professor, University of Massachusetts, MA

Uden, PC
Professor, University of Massachusetts, MA

Vittum, P
Graduate student and professor, University of Massachusetts, MA

(Received 21 February 1995; accepted 2 May 1995)

Abstract

Azadirachtin is a powerful anti-feedant and insect growth-disrupting compound. A primary problem with the utilization of classical extraction techniques for determining azadirachtin is the high hydrophilicity of the compound. Further, since determination by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) requires measuring absorbance at 214 nm, use of methanol for extraction requires a solvent exchange since methanol absorbs in this region. This paper demonstrates the use of supercritical fluid extraction for determination of azadirachtin residues. Methanol-modified supercritical carbon dioxide is used to extract azadirachtin from soil and Japanese beetle adult and larval forms. Greater than 80% of fortified material was recovered at spike concentrations of 1 to 2 µg/g. Using this procedure azadirachtin was determined to be field stable for less than 3 months. Azadirachtin was also successfully extracted from insects showing recovery levels of 75% and greater. The inability of modified supercritical carbon dioxide to cross the insect cuticle was also demonstrated.

Keywords:
SFE, supercritical fluid extraction, azadirachtin, neem tree, high-performance liquid chromatography, soil, Japanese beetle, extraction, methanol modified

Paper ID: JTE11295J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11295J
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