title: Persistence of two neem formulations on peach leaves and fruit: effect of the distribution.
abstract: Persistence of azadirachtins (A+B) and of the other limonoids (nimbin, salannin, deacetylnimbin, and deacetylsalannin) on peach leaves and fruits was studied using a commercial formulation (form. C) compared with an experimental formulation (form. E) prepared with coformulations allowed in organic culture. Field experiments were carried out using three concentrations: 1x, 5x, and 10x the dose recommended by the manufacturer. The EU maximum residue level (MRL) in fruits and vegetables for azadirachtin A is 1 mg/kg with a preharvest interval (PHI) of 3 days. At the recommended dose, azadirachtin A residue on fruits was not detectable (LOQ < 0.8 microg/kg). After field treatment at the 5x concentration, azadirachtoids were found with 22% in the epicuticular waxes and the remaining 78% on the fruit surface. No residues were found in the fruit pulp. The experimental formulation (E) produced lower residues on leaves and fruit compared with the commercial formulation (C), although formulation E showed greater stability. This is probably due to the amount of the active ingredients that diffuse into the epicuticular wax layer thus enhancing photostability of azadirachtoids.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Tossicologia, Universita di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sarais
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angioni
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cabras
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caboni
mesh_terms: D031601:Azadirachta; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006207:Half-Life; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D036701:Limonins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D036701:Limonins; D010573:Pesticide Residues; C010329:azadirachtin; C476490:azadirachtin B