Quantitative Determination of Azadirachtin in Melia indica and M. azedarach

Melia indica and M. azedarach (Meliaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine. These species are considered as natural pesticides. Their major compound is azadirachtin (AZD) which is considered as the marker for quality control of these species. In the present investigation, AZD content of the leaves and fruits (comprising the whole fruit, peel, pulp and seeds) of M. indica and M. azedarach have been determined. The leaves and fruits of M. indica and M. azedarach were collected from Bandar Abbas and Gorgan, respectively and identified. The peel, pulp and seeds were separated from each other. One gram of each sample was extracted using methanol. AZD content of each extract was determined by HPLC with following condition: C18 column, mobile phase: acetonitrile: H2O (60:40), flow rate: 1 mL/min, wave length: 227 nm and run time: 6 min. The results revealed that the fruits of the species contained higher amounts of AZD compared to the leaves. Comparing the species, AZD content of M. indica fruits was about two folds in comparison with M. azedarach fruits; also, the content of AZD in the seeds of M. indica was more than peel and pulp of the plant fruits. AZD content was high in peel of M. azedarach and was trace in pulp and seeds of the plant fruits. It is concluded that M. azedarach peel could be suggested to be used regarding pesticide properties while it is better to use the whole fruits of M. indica for insecticidal effects.