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ABSTRACT

Seeds of Azadirachta indica were collected for oil extraction using different extraction techniques. The aim was assess the production and nutritional composition of neem oil from raw neem seed, and also to determine the effects of the extraction techniques on the acid, saponification and peroxide values of the oils for possible use as biodiesel. Five oil extracts were obtained as follows: ethanol fraction of cold ethanolic extract, hexane fraction of cold ethanolic extract, pressed neem oil, pressed neem oil treated with petroleum ether and ethanol and petroleum ether fraction of hot ethanolic extract. These oil extracts were analyzed to determine their acid values, saponification values and peroxide values.

The hexane fraction of the cold ethanolic extract recorded the highest acid value of 74.56 for a test portion of 0.514g, followed by the Pet. Ether fraction of the Hot Ethanol extraction also recording an acid value of 60.18. The Pressed neem oil, ethanol fraction of cold ethanolic extract and pressed neem oil treated with Pet. Ether and Ethanol recorded the least acid values of 16.03, 7.66 and 3.23 respectively.

The saponification values ranged from 176.8 to 203.5 for a mass range of 1.404 to 1.427g of samples. The pressed neem oil treated with Pet. ether and ethanol was within the expected literature range with a saponification value of 203.5. The hexane fraction of the cold ethanolic recorded the least saponification value of 176.8. The peroxide values of the oil extracts analyzed were as follows: ethanol fraction of cold ethanolic extract; 0.64, Pressed neem oil; 0.63, pressed neem oil treated with Pet. Ether and Ethanol; 0.21. There was no visible blue color observed after adding the starch indicator during the determination of the hexane fraction of the cold ethanolic extract. Hence no peroxide value determined. The results of the acid, saponification and peroxide values suggest that a non-polar cold solvent is required for effective oil extraction from neem seed for it possible use as a biodiesel.

 

 

CHAPTER ONE 

INTRODUCTION 

1.0 Plant Description

Since time immemorial, man has used various plant parts to cure diseases, heal injuries, wipe out insects and other destructive living organisms. Various  parts  of  the plant species are  used for  food,  wood  or  traditional  medicinal  purpose¹.  Among these plants is one of the wellguarded secrets of African Healers, a tropical plant regarded as a sacred gift of nature called Neem (Azadirachta indica)².

Plants like Neem contain biologically active substances known as phytochemicals^{3, 4, 5}. These organic chemicals are stored in matured cells of the various organs such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. To the plants, phytochemicals act as natural defense system and are partly responsible for aroma, colour and flavor. These compounds are also responsible for diverse activities such as insect antifeedant, insect growth disrupting, insecticidal, nematicidal, fungicidal, bactericidal ^{3, 4, 5}.

Some of the phytochemicals concerned in this project include limonoids and oils. They are mostly found in the seeds of the neem tree.  Azadirachta indica  is the botanical name of the neem tree⁶. It belongs to the family Meliaceae^{6, 7}.  Indica indicates the tree’s origin, India⁸. The whole name, though Latinized, comes from the Persian language Farsi.

• Azad means free
• Dirakht means tree
• i-Hind means of Indian origin

So the botanical name translates into: “The Free Tree of India”.

Botanical  name: Azadirachta indica ⁶.

Family: Meliaceae, neem belongs to Mahogany family ^{6, 7}.

Common names: Neem, Nim tree, Indian Lilac, Nimba, Holy tree, Sacred gift of nature⁷.

Local names: neem, dedua gyeene; dedua kankan (Akan), nym (Ewé) , dogoyaro (Hausa)

The neem tree has a straight stem and the tree can reach a height of about 30 metres and more, though 15 to 20 metres is the average6. The neem tree is noted for its drought resistance.⁷ It is evergreen⁶, but in severe drought it may shed most or nearly all of its leaves. It has white and fragrant flowers. The fruit is smooth and varies in shape from elongate oval to nearly roundish.

The fruit skin is thin and the bitter-sweet pulp (mesocarp) is yellowish-white and very fibrous. The white, hard inner shell (endocarp) of the fruit encloses one, and sometimes two or three, elongated seeds (kernels) having a brown seed coat.

Habitat: Neem can grow in many different types of soil, but it thrives best on well drained deep and sandy soils^{6, 7}. It is abundantly found in most of tropical and subtropical countries including India, Burma and Nigeria.

1.0.1 Uses

Different plant parts of neem are used medicinally throughout its distribution areas⁶. The roots, seeds, bark and leaves contain compounds with proven emmenagogue, febrifuge, antiseptic, antidiabetic, anthelmintic, analgesics, contraceptic, in vitro spermicidal, pediculicide, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antifungal uses^{2, 4, 6}.

Neem leaves are dried in India and placed in cupboards to prevent insects eating the clothes ^{3, 5, 8}. The leaves are boiled and the decoction taken frequently to treat malaria and high fever.

Neem leaves are dried and burnt in the tropical regions to keep away mosquitoes⁹.The tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a vegetable in India.  Neem leaves have also been used to treat skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis. Neem seeds are ground into powder, soaked overnight in water and sprayed onto crops to control pests^{4, 5, 8} . It acts as an anti-feedant, repellent, and egg-laying deterrent, protecting the crop from damage. The insects starve and die within a few days⁴. Neem also suppresses the hatching of pest insects from their eggs⁴ .A pulverized neem seed when mixed with honey is efficient in promoting hair growth.  

In India, Africa, and the Middle East, the slender neem twigs are first chewed as a toothbrush and then split as a tongue cleaner. The neem oil is used in India to manufacture soaps. Neem cake is widely used as animal feed⁸ and as fertilizer for cash crops, particularly sugarcane and vegetables. Neem may also cause miscarriages, infertility, and low blood sugar. Neem oil can be used as a biofuel¹⁰. Other neem products such as neem leaves and neem tea should not be consumed by pregnant women, women trying to conceive, or children. In human adults, short-term use of neem is safe, while long-term use may harm the kidneys or liver in small children. Neem oil is toxic and its consumption can lead to death. United Nations Organization has declared Neem tree as the “Tree of the 21^st century” while in the report published in 1992, the US National

Academy of Science gave a title to this incredible tree as a tree of solving global problem.¹

 

1.1 Specific aim

This project is aimed at the production and nutritional composition of neem oil from raw neem seed. It covers extracting oils from neem seeds and also to determine the effects of the extraction techniques on the acid, saponification and peroxide values of the oils for possible use such as a biodiesel.