Influence of operating parameters on the use of the microwave-assisted process (MAP) for the extraction of azadirachtin-related limonoids from neem (Azadirachta indica) under atmospheric pressure conditions
Jm. Dai et al., Influence of operating parameters on the use of the microwave-assisted process (MAP) for the extraction of azadirachtin-related limonoids from neem (Azadirachta indica) under atmospheric pressure conditions, J AGR FOOD, 49(10), 2001, pp. 4584-4588
The use of the microwave-assisted process (MAP) for the extraction of azadi
rachtin-related limonoids (AZRL) from various parts of the neem tree was in
vestigated under different operating conditions. The influence of microwave
power, solvent, and irradiation time on the recovery of AZRL was studied.
The efficiency of the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of the seed kerne
l, the seed shell, the leaf, and the leaf stem was compared to that of conv
entional extraction methods. The content of AZRL in the extracts was estima
ted with a vanillin-based colorimetric assay and a multivariate calibration
technique. The results showed that the MAE technique can enhance the extra
ction of AZRL from different parts of neem possessing microstructures. Inve
stigation of the influence of the solvent also indicted that the solvent us
ed not only influences the efficiency but also affects the selectivity of t
he MAE.