Azadirachtin, a scientific gold mine.
Azadirachtin is a highly interesting compound both for its chemical structure, which required 18 years to solve, and its synthesis, which required another 22 years, and for its biological properties as a feeding deterrent for many insects and a growth disruptant for most insects and many other arthropods. Its mode of action, structure-activity relationships, and its biosynthesis still require much research. A valuable natural pesticide, it has very low toxicity for vertebrates, and yet it has still not achieved a prominent place among pesticides and in many countries it is not yet licensed for use. An attempt is made to understand its failure to capture a larger market, 40 years after its discovery.
Morgan
E David
ED
Chemical Ecology Group, Lennard-Jones Laboratory, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG England, United Kingdom. e.d.morgan@chem.keele.ac.uk
D007306:Insecticides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D036701:Limonins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D029582:Meliaceae / Q000737:chemistry
D007306:Insecticides; D036701:Limonins; C010329:azadirachtin