Preparative Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatographic Isolation of Azadirachtin from Neem Kernels (1)

Abstract
Azadirachtin is a tetranortriterpenoid insect feeding deterrent and growth regulator present in the kernels of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. A procedure was developed whereby 8.7 g of >90% pure azadirachtin was obtained from 48.2 kg of neem kernels by the use of open-column reversed-phase liquid chromatography on Phase-bonded C-18 Hi-Flosil and high-performance liquid chromatography on μ Bondapak C-18 for monitoring (217 nm) the purification.