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Raw Materials to Produce Low-Cost Biodiesel 121

4.2.10 Neem oil
Crop description. Azadirachta indica—commonly known as the neem
tree, nim, margosa, veppam, cho do, or nilayati nimb—belongs to the
family Meliaceae and can be found in dry tropical forests (see Fig. 4.11).
The major producing countries are India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Pakistan,
tropical Australia, and Africa. The evergreen neem tree grows up to
18 m high. The fat content of the kernels ranges from 33 to 45% [77].
The fatty acid content includes 42% oleic acid, 20% palmitic acid, 20%
stearic acid, 15% linoleic acid, and 1.4% arachidic acid. Good quality ker-
nels yield 40–50% oil. The cakes, which contain 7–12% oil are sold for
solvent extraction. Neem oil is unusual in that it contains nonlipid asso-
ciates often loosely termed as bitters and organic sulfur compounds
that impart a pungent, disagreeable odor [88].

Main uses. The products of the neem tree are known to be antibac-
terial, antifungal, and antiparasitic. The main uses are in soaps, teas,
medicinal preparations, cosmetics, skin care, insecticides, and repel-
lents. Neem twigs are used as tooth brushes and ward against gum
disease. Neem oil, which is extracted from the seed kernel, has excel-
lent healing properties and is used in creams, lotions, and soaps. It
is also an effective fungicide. The bitter cake after the extraction of oil

Figure 4.11 Azadirachta indica.
(Photo courtesy of Food and
Agricultural Organization of the
United Nations [www.fao.org].)