Journal Published Online: 01 May 1996
Volume 24, Issue 3

The Extraction and Determination of Azadirachtin from Soil and Insects by Supercritical Fluid Extraction

CODEN: JTEVAB

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.

Author Information

Brooks, MW
Agricultural Products Group, FMC Inc., Princeton, NJ
Roy, S
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Uden, PC
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Vittum, P
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Pages: 5
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JTE11295J
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11295J