Neem Magaj Powder - Azadirachta Indica Seeds Powder

Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of the Neem (Azadirachta indica), an evergreen tree which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics.

Neem Seeds is very important both because of its high lipid content as well as the occurrence of a large number of bitter principles (azadirachtin, azadiradione, fraxinellone, nimbin, salannin, salannol, vepinin, vilasinin, etc. in considerable quantities. Azadirachtin has proven effectiveness as a pesticide against about 200 insect species and is reported as non-toxic to humans. Neem kernel lipids are similar to the normal glycerides from other oilseeds and contains oleic acid (50-60%), palmitic acid (13-15%), stearic acid (14-19%), linoleic acid (8-16%) and arachidic acid (1-3%). It is brownish yellow, non-drying oil with an acrid taste and unpleasant odor. The quality of the oil differs with the method of processing.

The composition of Neem Seeds after the extraction of oil varies widely depending on the raw material used for expelling, for example, whole dried fruits, seeds or kernels. The range of the proximate composition in percentage are: crude protein 13-35, carbohydrates 26-50, crude fiber 8-26, fat 2-13, ash 5-18, acid insoluble ash 1-7. The bitter cake has no value as animal or poultry feed. Extraction of cake with 70% alcohol followed by hexane yields a meal free from bitterness and odor, which will be satisfactory as feed. The Neem cake is rich in most of the amino acids. It is a potential source of organic manure and contains many plant nutrients, viz., nitrogen 2-3%, phosphorus 1% and potassium 1.4%. It also contains 1.0-1.5%  tannic acid and has the highest Sulphur content of 1.07 – 1.36% among the oil cakes. The Neem Seeds contains a large number of triterpenoids, more of which are being discovered.

Neem Seeds Benefits:

Neem seeds are described as anthelminitic, antileprotic, anti poisonous and bitter in taste.

According to recent studies conducted on parts of Neem, it was found thatNeem Seeds extracts contain azadirachtin, which in turn works by inhibiting the development of immature insects. Neem Seeds are used in Pharmaceutical Industry, Food Industry, Cosmetic Industry etc. Neem leaves can be taken as following: Powdered leaves are then soaked, normally overnight in water (for aqueous extraction) or in organic solvents (for organic extraction); the extract is strained through a cloth the next morning. Aqueous extract is rich in carbohydrates, pigments, water soluble amino acids. A large number of drugs and herbal medicines have Neem Seeds as their active ingredient.