The fatty acids of neem oil and their reduction products

Abstract

Abstract The seed oil of Melia (Azadirachta) indica has been critically re‐examined particularly with reference to fatty acid composition, using the gas chromatograph as a means of analytical control. Behenic acid has been discovered as a component and the presence of myristic acid and lignoceric acid verified. The limitations of some earlier methods of analysis are illustrated. A suitably purified neem oil has been successfully reduced to the corresponding saturated and unsaturated alcohols by a selective sodium reduction procedure of potential industrial value. The reduction products and their acetyl esters have been examined by gas‐liquid chromatography. A comparison is made between the results obtained from methyl esters as derivatives and those obtained from the alcohols and their acetates.