Abstract
Gas-liquid chromatography was used to analyse the saponifiable and unsaponifiable fractions of petroleum ether (PE) extracts of neem fruits and leaves. Both fractions, as well as a crude PE extract, were assayed for biological activity against third instar cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis.
In neem fruits, eighty-eight percent (88%) of the saponifiable matter consisted of saturated fatty acids, while 12% was composed of unsaturated fatty acids. In the neem leaves, the corresponding proportions were 62 and 38%, respectively. Unsaponifiable matter of both fruits and leaves contained varying amounts of hydrocarbons and sterols. All the tested extracts demonstrated significant larvicidal effects against leafworm larvae. They also prolonged larval duration, caused malformations of the resulting pupae and significant adverse effects on the fecundity of resulting adults.
Résumé
Une Chromatographie en phase gazeuse-liquide a été utilisée pour analyser les fractions saponifiable et non-saponifiable des extraits à l’éther des fruits et feuilles de nim. Les deux fractions de même que l’extrait brut à l’éther ont été testés pour leur activité biologique contre le troisième stade de développement de la chenille mineuse de feuilles de coton, Spodoptera littoralis.
Dans les fruits de nim, 88% de la fraction de la matière saponifiable consistaient en acides gras saturés tandis que 12% étaient composés d’acides gras non-saturés. Dans les feuilles de nim, les proportions respectives d’acides gras saturés et non-saturés étaient de 62 et 38%. Les fractions de la matière non-saponifiable des feuilles ou des fruits contenaient des quantités variables d’hydrocarbones et de sterols. Tous les extraits testés ont montré des effets larvicides significatifs vis-à-vis des larves de la mineuse de feuilles. De même, ces extraits allongeaient la durée de développement de l’état larvaire et ils provoquaient des malformations chez les chrysalides issues des larves traitées, induisant ainsi des effets désastreux sur la fécondité des adultes émergés de ces chrysalides.
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Dimetry, N.Z., El-Gengaihi, S. & Mohamed, S.M. The Effect of Lipoidal Matter of Neem Fruits and Leaves on Spodoptera littoralis Development and Reproduction. Int J Trop Insect Sci 18, 325–331 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400018555
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400018555