A Recent Study: Effect of Neem Leaf Extract and Neem Oil on Penicillium Growth, Sporulation, Morphology and Ochratoxin A Production

In vitro trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of Azadirachta indica (neem) extracts on mycelial
growth, sporulation, morphology and ochratoxin A production by P. verrucosum and P.
brevicompactum. Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) (neem plant) extract is one of the most
important plant products which inhibit mycotoxin production. The effect of neem oil extract from seeds
and leaf was evaluated at 0.125; 0.25 and 0.5% and 6.25 and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively, in Yeast
Extract Sucrose (YES) medium. Ochratoxin A production was evaluated by a thin-layer
chromatography technique. Oil extracts exhibited significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction of growth and
sporulation of the fungi. No inhibition of ochratoxin A production was observed. Given its accessibility
and low cost, neem oil could be implemented as part of a sustainable integrated pest management
strategy for plant disease, as it has been shown to be fungitoxic by inhibition of growth and
sporulation. Evidences from the current and other studies shows that fungal species react differently
to compounds from the neem tree.