• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.308-315
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• 2005

Aflatoxin contamination is a major problem in several food crops. Aflatoxin, a mycotoxin, produced by Aspergillus flavus has gained immense concern in the scientific world because of its tremendous harmful effects. The study was focused to see the effect of oil and aqueous extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds on the growth of Aspergillus and production of aflatoxin by the mold. Various amounts of neem oil $(5\;-\;50\;{\mu}l/ml)$ and aqueous extract of neem (5 - 50 mg/ml) were used both in the broth as well as the solid medium. Fungistatic (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were found to be $10\;{\mu}l/ml$ and $50\;{\mu}l/ml$ respectively for neem seed oil. At the concentration of $5\;{\mu}l/ml$ neem oil and 5 mg/ml of aqueous extract, a significant decrease in the aflatoxin content was found in broth medium. Aflatoxin production was totally inhibited at $50\;{\mu}l/ml$ and 50 mg/ml for neem oil and aqueous extract of neem respectively, in both treatments. There was significant inhibition of mycelium dry weight by the neem seed oil. Mycelial growth was totally inhibited at $20\;{\mu}l/ml$ of neem seed oil concentration in broth, whereas it was not affected at all by aqueous extract. It can therefore be inferred that the oil and extract from the neem seed leads to inhibition of aflatoxin production while neem seed oil also significantly inhibits the mycelial growth. Neem seed oil thus can be used as potent, natural and easily available anti-aflatoxigenic agent.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2003

Five seed kernel namely, Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), Pongamia (Pongamia glabra L. Pierre), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.), Mahua (Madhuca indica Gmel.) and Shikakai (Acacia cancinna De.) were tested against hatching of eggs and larval mortality of Meloidogyne incognita causing root knot disease in mulberry along with Furadan (Carbofuran) and Bionema (a bioformulation developed from Verticillium chlamydosporium) for comparison. Results revealed that highest hush-up of hatching was observed in Neem (77.40%) and Pongamia (75.99%) seed kernel extracts at 100% concentration over the check. Similarly, highest larval mortality was observed in Neem and Pongamia by 76.00% and 74.50%, respectively at 100% concentration after 72 hrs of exposure period. Pot culture studies revealed that pre-application of seed kernel powders (20 days before inoculation of nematode) found to be more effective in controlling the root knot disease than post application. In pre application of seed kernel powders, maximum reduction of root knots was observed in case of Neem seed kernel powder (54.85%) followed by Pongamia (51.9%). Similar trend was also observed in reduction of egg masses/plant and nematode population ／250 cc soil. Rest of the seed kernel extracts was found to be less effective in suppression of hatching, enhancing the larval mortality and controlling the root knot disease. However, application of Furadan and Bionema tested for the comparison were found to be more effective than seed kernel powders. The generated information seems to be useful in developing an ecofriendly integrated approach for the control of root knot nematode disease in mulberry.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1451-1454
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• 2003

The present investigation was carried out to study the affect of feeding urea ammoniated neem kernel meal on carcass characteristics and organoleptic properties of the meat in goats. Eight local weaned kids of 3-4 months age with mean body weight of $7.85{\pm}0.42kg$ were assigned to two groups of four each in a completely randomised design and were offered diets containing isonitrogenous concentrate mixtures containing either peanut meal or urea ammoniated neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel meal (UANSKM) along with ad libitium oat hay or green sorghum as roughage for 13 fortnights. The animals were slaughtered at the end of the experimental period and the carcass characteristics and organoleptic evaluation of the meat was carried out. The carcass characteristics in terms of dressing percentage, meat bone ratio, percent edible and inedible did not differ between the treatments. Similarly the organoleptic characteristics and cooking loss were comparable between the treatments implying that UANSKM can be substituted for peanut meal in goat diets to alleviate the shortage and high cost of peanut meal without affecting meat quality.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.282-291
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• 2013

Rapid loss in viability of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) seed is a major problem. Present effort was undertaken for developing a set pattern for assessing of viability and vigour in seed of various mother tree age of neem (Age I-06 years, Age II-15 years, Age III-25 years and Age IV->30 years old). Various viability test viz. triphenyle tetrazolium chloride test, electrical conductivity, excised embryo test, and germination test have been performed on seeds obtained from mother tree age classes. Inconsistency was observed with the TTC and EC test in germination of seed in laboratory as well as nursery. While various vigour tests viz. cold test, chemical stress test (methanol stress test), and accelerated ageing test alongwith ageing index, germination test (G%, MGT and GV) and various seedling growth parameters like seedling length (cm), number of leaves, collar diameter (cm), total biomass (g) alongwith mathematical indices i.e. vigour index, sturdiness quotient, volume index, quality index, root shoot ratio in nursery as well have been taken for study and showed better consistency. On the basis present study results of various viability and vigour test indicated that mother tree age class II performed better in comparison to others and it can be recommended for seed collection. Further it is also recommended that viability of neem seed may be assessed using various laboratory tests like excise embryo test and germination test (G%, MGT and GV) and vigour test may be taken preferably by cold germination test, chemical (methanol) stress test, accelerated ageing test in laboratory and germination alongwith various seedling growth parameters seedling length (cm), number of leaves, collar diameter (cm), total biomass (g) alongwith mathematical indices like Vigour Index, Sturdiness quotient, Volume Index, Quality index, root shoot ratio in nursery as discussed in this study.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.528-534
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• 2009

The study of germination and seedling growth characteristics of Neem under different soil and environment conditions was undertaken. The seed germination started 8 days after sowing in commercial bed soil, whereas, delayed germination was observed in sandy-loam (15 days) and sandy (19 days) soil. The highest germination (73.33%) was observed in commercial bed soil in green house, whereas, the lowest germination was observed in sandy soil (16.67%) and sandy-loam soil (8.33%). The seeds in the open field (sandy soil) also showed poor (10%) germination. The mean number of germination seed/day (GD) and seed germination vigor rate (GV) both were highest in the commercial bed soil with 0.733% and 16.67% respectively in the green house, whereas sandy and sandy-loam soil in green house and open field (sandy soil) all showed much lower GD and GV values. The seedling characteristics of nursery revealed that the seedling grown in the growth chamber in commercial bed soil was significantly higher in all the parameters comparing to others grown in green house and open field. The growth was nearly 7 fold in the chamber compared to that of the green house nursery observed in three months old seedlings. Likewise, HPLC analysis revealed that the green house grown seedling contain higher quantity of pigments compare to the chamber grown seedlings. Among the soils used the commercial soil alone or in combination with sandy and sandy-loam soil in the ratio of 2:1:1 respectively with the temperature of $27{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ showed better for Neem nursery preparation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.720-728
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• 2000

The different products of neem (Azadirachta indica) are utilized for variety of purposes in industry, health and animal agriculture in the Indian subcontinent. The cake from seeds after oil extraction is a good source of nutrients (CP: 35-38%; EE: 4.5-5.5%; CF: 12-15%; Ca: 0.75%; P: 0.45% on DM), and in particular, the one out of its kernel is proteinaceous and is relatively balanced in its amino acid and mineral profile. But the cake is toxic and bitter to taste owing to triterpenoids (nimbin, salannin, azadirachtin), which restricts its safe inclusion in livestock diet. Several feeding trials with raw cake have revealed poor palatability and adverse performance among different categories of livestock and poultry. Internal organ changes included histological alteration in intestine, liver, kidney and distruption of spermatogenesis and ovarian activity. Ruminants appears to tolerate reasonably higher levels of the cake and to a limited low levels of dietary inclusion also proved to be tolerable in monogastric farm animals. Debitterization through solvent (hexane, ether) extraction, water washing, alkali (NaOH, 1.5, 2.5 or 3%, wt/wt) soaking and urea (1.5 or 3%, wt/wt) - ammoniation have been tried with appreciable success in improving the palatability and nutritive value of the cake. For enhanced utilization, decortication of neem seeds is to be done effectively at industrial level with maximum oil recovery. The resultant proteinaceous kernel by-product could be a cheaper unconventional protein supplement after suitable processing.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2001

The expediency of promoting rabbit production on underutilized by-product feedstuffs prompted the current investigation of caecal fermentation pattern, blood biochemical profile and histopathological changes of vital organs in 48 broiler rabbits fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 20% level of neem seed kernal cake (NSKC) for 6 weeks and subsequently sacrificed. The NSKC incorporation in the diet did not exert any adverse effect on caecal fermentation although the weight of caecum and its contents was significantly (p<0.01; p<0.05) lower in rabbits fed the diet containing 20% NSKC. Except for blood glucose concentration, none of the blood biochemical constituents (serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, total protein, haemoglobin) and the activities of different enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, asparatate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase) varied significantly due to NSKC feeding. A histopathological examination of the vital organs (liver, kidney, heart, spleen, lungs, intestine and stomach) revealed a variable degree of villus atrophy in the intestine and degenerative changes in the liver and tubular epithelium of kidney in some rabbits when NSKC was fed at levels above 10%.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.609-613
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• 1997

The reproductive performance of forty two male broilers divided into three similar groups and fed on isocaloric and isonitrogneous diets containing 0, 10 or 20% water washed neem seed kernel meal (WWNSKM) was investigated from 20 to 32-wks of age. Results on semen characteristics revealed that feeding of WWNSKM led to significant (p < 0.05) reduction in semen volume, sperm concentration associated with increased incidences of morphological abnormalities in the spermatozoa when compared to that of the control birds. A drastic reduction in the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa was observed, the adverse effects being more at higher inclusion level of the cake. Hatchability of eggs also declined in the WWNSKM fed group. Histological examination of testes revealed a higher number of degenerating cells and poor spermatogenesis along with multinucleated giant cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes of birds receiving the high dose of WWNSKM in diet. It may be concluded that the feeding of WWNSKM by incorporating in isocaloric and isonitrogneous diets to cockerels is associated with adverse effect on their fertility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1273-1277
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• 2002

The effect of urea treatment on chemical composition of neem seed kernel cake (NSKC) was investigated by soaking the cake in 2.1% urea solution (1.2 l $kg^{-1}$ NSKC) for five days. The effect on utilisation of nutrients by replacing groundnut cake (GNC) (30%) with urea-treated neem seed kernel cake (UTNSKC) (33%) in a concentrate mixture fed to meet 70% of the protein requirements of lambs (8 males and 8 females), was monitored in a digestibility study. Following urea treatment of NSKC only 9.5% of urea was hydrolysed and the crude protein content of the cake was increased by 6.65%. The tannin content in depulped neem seeds was 37% catechin equivalent. Whereas feeding UTNSKC had no effect on intake of dry matter (72.5 vs 66.3 g/kg $BW^{0.75}day^{-1}$) and digestibility of crude fibre (41.3 vs 43.4%), the cake depressed (p<0.01) the percent digestibility of dry matter (63.7 vs 70.2), crude protein (63.2 vs 70.2), nitrogen free extract (73.8 vs 80.5) and gross energy (64.3 vs 69.1). Digestibility of ether extract (75.8 vs 70.9%) was higher (p<0.05) in animals offered UTNSKC. The nutritive value of the composite ration consumed by lambs offered UTNSKC was lower (p<0.01) in terms of total digestible nutrients (64.7 vs 70.2%) and digestible energy (2.8 vs 3.0 Kcal/g DM). Intake of digestible energy (199.8 vs 194.1 Kcal/kg $BW^{0.75}day^{-1}$) and retention of nitrogen (7.53 vs 8.23 g $day^{-1}$) and calcium (2.12 vs 1.84 g $day^{-1}$) were comparable on the 2 rations. Animals fed UTNSKC retained less (p<0.01) phosphorus (0.37 vs 1.05 g $day^{-1}$). The results indicate that urea treatment increased the protein level of NSKC whereas feeding the treated cake as a replacement of GNC, lowered the digestibility of nutrients and retention of phosphorus.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1246-1250
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• 1999

Rabbits (48) of Soviet chinchilla (24) and White giant (24) were fed from 6 weeks to 12 weeks of age intensively on either of four isonitrogenous - isocaloric diets containing 0 ($D_1$), 5($D_2$), 10($D_3$) and 20($D_4$) percent raw neem seed kernel cake (NSKC), respectively as per NRC (1977) requirements in a Randomized block design and slaughtered at the end to find out differences in their carcass traits due to NSKC feeding. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on weight of edibles and inedibles and their percentages and dressing percentage in terms of carcass, carcass with pluck and carcass with pluck and head. Similarly, the meat-bone ratio of various primal cuts and overall carcass, yield of edibles per unit of inedibles and eye muscle area were not influenced due to the dietary variations. Chemical composition of fresh meat, and organoleptic evaluation of cooked meat with and without salt did not vary significantly due to incorporation of NSKC in the diets. The rabbits fed 20% NSKC ($D_4$) though consumed more (p<0.05) DM and DE per kg meat production, the intake of crude protein and total digestible nutrients was similar with other dietary treatments. Feed cost per unit meat production was, however, lower on 5 and 10% NSKC containing diets by 7.75 and 12.56%, respectively, as compared to deoiled ground nut cake containing control diet. It appears that NSKC could be used as a wholesome vegetable protein supplement upto 10% in diet of rabbits without any adverse effect on commercial carcass traits.