Effect of sunlight on azadirachtin: Antifeeding potency

Abstract
Exposure of azadirachtin to sunlight caused a rapid decrease in antifeeding potency against newly emerged 1st instar (0.046 mg) fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), as compared to unexposed azadirachtin. Acetone solutions of azadirachtin exposed to 7 days gave > 50% reduction in activity while azadirachtin exposed for 16 days gave complete reduction in activity with destruction of the compound. p-Aminobenzoic acid, a UV-absorbing additive, gave slight protection to azadirachtin from photodegradation. Azadirachtin, mixed with various plant oils, was exposed to sunlight for 2 wk. Bioassay of these mixtures showed that neem, angelica, castor and calamus oils provided moderate protection (< 25%) to azadirachtin from degradation by sunlight.

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