ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE COMPOUNDS IN THE SAP OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM) USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROMETRY

Abstract

Azadirachta indica (Neem) has a dynamic role in various problems associated with human health. Each part of the Neem tree has some medicinal property and is thus commercially utilizable. The plant parts such as leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots and bark have been used traditionally for the treatment of inflammation, infections, fever, skin diseases and dental disorders. The aim of this study is to identify and characterize the vital bioactive compounds from the Neem sap by Gas chromatography and Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis of the Neem sap revealed the presence of 30 volatile compounds. Among the 30 compounds, the most predominant compounds are fatty acids like Hexadecanoic acid and Pentadecanoic acid. Hence, this current attempt forms a basis for the biological characterization and importance of the compounds which could be exploited for future development of drugs.