Status report on global Neem usage - Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal

2. GLOBAL NEEM DISSEMINATION AND USAGE
Raw
material
16
Quality
parameter
Requirements Notes
Oil Milling Only from fresh
neem seeds of
good quality; cold
pressed;
Storage and
packaging
Vacuum-packed in
clean barrels,
cans or bottles
(PE/HDPE/PP)
Cake Milling Like oil As for oil
Leaves
and bark
Storage and
Packaging
Moisture
content
Degree of
purity or contamination
Storage of dry
leaves
As for crushed
neem seeds
To obtain 100 % pure neem oil only from
natural ingredients, without chemical additives
or treatment
Storage maintaining constant quality and
freedom from impurities and moisture for at
least 2 years
As for crushed neem seeds
Drying under 5 % Faulty drying; the leaves cannot be stored
for a long time; they begin to go mouldy.
Clean leaves, with
no impurities or
contamination
(principally microorganisms)
In paper sacks for
no more than 1
year;
Problems when processing; impurities such
as stones, soil or parts of other plants; no
contamination by storage pests, fungi or
chemicals (pesticides)
Store-room has to be dry, clean, well-ventilated
and free of contamination by storage
pests, fungi or chemicals
When neem is used as a pesticide, for crop protection, as a plant groom, a soil additive,
fertiliser or against soil-born pests, the quality standards indicated above are sufficient. But
when neem is used in cosmetics, medicines or repellents for pets and other animals, the
quality standards must be expanded.
The principal raw material used for cosmetics and repellents is the neem oil. The oil must
have a high concentration of active ingredients and a high degree of purity, and the raw
material (and consequently the products) must not be contaminated by micro-organisms and
– most importantly - aflatoxins.
It is necessary that the oil is analysed and certified by an independent laboratory. The oil
should be analysed for the following micro-organisms: