azadirachtin

noun

azad·​i·​rach·​tin ə-ˌza-də-ˈrak-tən 

plural azadirachtins

: a chemical compound C₃₅H₄₄O₁₆ that occurs in the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and is used as an insecticide

Most of neem's pesticidal punch comes from the compound azadirachtin, which disrupts insects' growth as well as dampening their appetite.

—Leslie Land, New York Times, 10 May 2007

Azadirachtin causes hormonal imbalances and disrupts the maturation cycle in insects, which results in unsuccessful molts, or heavily deformed immature insect stages.

—Illinois Blasdel, Landscape Management, April 2005

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

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