A brief review of the extraction technologies of azadirachtin, a plant-derived bio-pesticide

Abstract

Due to the increasingly strict requirements of sustainable development and environmental protection, chemical pesticides have been gradually questioned for its damage to the environment and human health; therefore environment-friendly and pollution-free plant-derived pesticides are being paid more and more attention to. Azadirachtin (Azt) is a tetracyclic triterpene compound, which is extracted from the seeds, leaves and bark of plant neem (Meliaceae). As the most potential insect antifeedant and growth disturbance agent, it can be used to innovate different biological pesticides. In this article, the present status and progress of Azt extraction were reviewed and some new technologies were described in detail. The research orientation and prospect of Azt extraction techniques were also discussed.