Dispersion of Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica A Juss)

Pesticidal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica) are well known. Hence attempts are being made to develop neem oil based dispersions to be used as pesticides. Some surfactants and their mixtures, such as AOT, SDS, CTAB, LABS, siloxy-N and castor oil based surfactants were tried for developing stable dispersions. Neem oil based surfactant was also prepared by sulfonation and was used for the dispersion of neem oil in water. Stability of dispersions as a function of type of surfactant, hardness of water and effect of temperature was studied. Antimicrobial activity of selected dispersions were examined. Limited laboratory experiments have shown effectiveness of these dispersions as a mosquito and house flies repellant.