Evaluation of the acute toxicity to juvenile Pacific Northwest salmon of azadirachtin, neem extract, and neem-based products

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 1996-03, Vol.56 (3), p.432-439
• Main Authors: Wan, M.T. (Environment Canada, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.), Watts, R.G, Isman, M.B, Strub, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; ANIMALES JOVENES; Animals; Applied ecology; AZADIRACHTA INDICA; AZADIRACHTIN; AZADIRACHTINE; Biological and medical sciences; BRITISH COLUMBIA; Canada; COLOMBIE BRITANNIQUE; COLUMBIA BRITANICA; Computer Simulation; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates; EXTRACTOS DE MELIA; EXTRAIT DE NEEM; Fresh Water - analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glycerides - administration & dosage; Glycerides - toxicity; INSECTICIDAS; INSECTICIDE; INSECTICIDES; Insecticides - administration & dosage; Insecticides - analysis; Insecticides - toxicity; JEUNE ANIMAL; Lethal Dose 50; Limonins; NEEM EXTRACTS; NONTARGET ORGANISMS; ONCORHYNCHUS; ONCORHYNCHUS KISUTCH; ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS; ONCORHYNCHUS TSHAWYTSCHA; Pest Control; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pesticides - analysis; Pesticides - toxicity; Plant Oils - administration & dosage; Plant Oils - toxicity; RAINBOW TROUT; Salmon; Solvents - toxicity; Structure-Activity Relationship; Terpenes - administration & dosage; Terpenes - toxicity; TOXICIDAD; TOXICITE; TOXICITY; Triterpenes - administration & dosage; Triterpenes - analysis; Triterpenes - toxicity; YOUNG ANIMALS
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s001289900062

Azadirachtin (AZA) is a natural insecticide derived from the seeds of the neem tree Azadirachta indica. It affects the endocrine system of insecticides. The acute toxicity of AZA, neem extract (NEX) and neem-based products (Azatin, Margosan O, Pherotech) to juvenile Pacific northwest salmon was studied. The 96-h LC50 value of AZA to juvenile salmon was greater than 4 mg per litre. Neem extract was not significantly more toxic to fish than AZA despite having 7.7 times more AZA. The toxicity of neem-based products was dependent on the solvents and emulsifiers used in the formulation. LC50 values (96-h) were 4-72 mg per litre. Pherotech was the least toxic of the neem-based products. Neem-based products had a greater margin of safety to young salmon when compared with some common synthetic and botanical insecticides.