ISSN: 0973-7510

E-ISSN: 2581-690X

Subramani1 and Rajendran2
1Department of Microbiology, Sourashtra College, Madurai, India.
2Department of Botany, Saraswathy Narayanan College, Madurai, India.
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2009;3(2):675-678
© The Author(s). 2009
Received: 28/03/2009 | Accepted: 24/05/2009| Published: 31/10/2009
Abstract

Sewage is a guaranteed source of many pathogens which have the potential to initiate an epidemic outbreak. The classical approach of chlorination for disinfection of water bears reported and proven side effects. Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) has been reported to contain potent antibacterial properties and is capable of inhibiting the growth of many harmful bacteria. In the present study, the active principal is isolated from neem and tested for its efficacy to reduce the bacterial bioload in a defined volume of sewage. The rate is compared with that of the pure form and with chlorine. Combined antibacterial efficacy of azadirachtin and chlorine was also analyzed. We conclude that azadirachtin present in neem has potent bactericidal properties against bacterial population in waste water and can be used in conjunction with chlorine for disinfection purpose.

Keywords

Pathogens, Chlorination and Azadirachtin

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