Prelims 2014 · Environment · Question 44
With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements:
- Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.
- Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.
- Neem oil has applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer
1, 2 and 3
1. Correct. Neem oil is widely used as a biopesticide; its active compounds (especially azadirachtin) help control many insect pests and some mites.
2. Correct. Neem seeds yield oil that has documented industrial uses, including in soaps/detergents and also in biofuel/biodiesel applications; hence this statement is acceptable.
3. Correct. Neem oil/extracts are used in the pharmaceutical/medicinal sector for antiseptic, antifungal and related formulations.
Hence, all three statements are correct.