Determination of azadirachtin in agricultural matrixes and commercial formulations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for azadirachtin (aza), a biopesticide from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss). The immunogen was synthesized by epoxidation using the furan ring in the aza molecule. Rabbits were immunized with either bovine serum albumin (BSA)-azadirachtin or ovalbumin (OA)-azadirachtin conjugate. Evaluation of the antisera by antibody capture assay showed that the antibody titer of antisera raised against OA-aza was 1:30,000. An indirect competitive ELISA was developed with BSA-azadirachtin as coating antigen and aza-specific antibodies raised against OA-aza immunogen. The immunoassay showed an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 75 ppb, with a range of detection from 0.5 to 1,000 ppb for azadirachtin based on regression analysis, y= 85.87 (-18.89x); r2 = -0.97]. Cross-reactivity of the antibodies with 2 aza- derivatives (22,23-dihydro-23beta-methoxy azadirachtin and 3-tigloylazadirachtol) was 33 and 29%, respectively. The indirect competitive ELISA was validated and evaluated by quantitating aza in spiked agricultural commodities and from neem formulations. Azadirachtin was spiked into 5 different agricultural commodities: tomato, brinjal, coffee, tea, and cotton seed at 500 and 1,000 ppb and recovered at 62-100%. In samples drawn from 6 lots, the aza content in neem-seed kernels ranged from 0.1 to 0.15%; in commercial neem formulations the content ranged from 200 to 2,000 ppm. The method developed may be applied to environmental monitoring of aza and quality assurance studies of aza-based commercial formulations.