Effect of crude neem (azadirachta indica) powder and azadirachtin on the growth and acetylcholinesterase activity of tribolium castaneum (herbst) (coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Adult and larval stages of tribolium castaneum were treated with neem leaf powder and azadirachtin (aza) purified from neem. growth of insects decreased and mortality increased in a dose dependant manner. acetylcholinesterase (ache) activity was also decreased. ache enzyme was treated with aza and lower level of inhibition was observed. computational analysis confirmed the results,as the molecule of aza binds with the surface of enzyme rather than the active site residues. the results presented in the current study provide evidence that ache which is an important enzyme involved in sensory perception can be inhibited by neem derived compounds thereby controlling pest attack by biopesticides.