Preparation of neem oil microemulsion using biodiesel waste for larvae control

Abstract

Mosquito problem is the major problem worldwide. So, there is urgent requirement of some effective and safe product for resolve the mosquito problem. Neem has very good repellent properties against mosquitoes. Previous research shows that there are 46 types of emulsion formulations are present. But all are solvent or co-solvent based which makes the formulated product costly and not safe for environment as well as non- targets. In the present study Neem oil microemulsion process was optimized by using biodiesel waste as co-solvent which has no any toxic effect towards environment and non-target. Developed microemulsion has high physical and chemical stability. This stability was achieved by taking different concentrations of non-ionic surfactants in the process of emulsion formation. I-R results further confirm the stability by showing sharp band of neem oil at 1642, 2928 which did not alter in Microemulsion (ME) containing biodiesel waste. Biodiesel waste based microemulsion alone at concentration range of 40-280 ppm gave 20-100% mortality rates against Aedes aegypti larvae in time period of 24 & 48 h. The LC50 (Lethal dose) values were found to be56.985, 52.604, and 38.575 for neem oil microemulsion and 210.766 mg/L for biodiesel waste alone.