azadirachtin

noun

azad·i·rach·tin | \ ə-ˌza-də-ˈrak-tən

plural azadirachtins

Definition of azadirachtin

: a chemical compound C₃₅H₄₄O₁₆ that occurs in the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and is used as an insecticide Most of neem's pesticidal punch comes from the compound azadirachtin, which disrupts insects' growth as well as dampening their appetite.— Leslie Land, New York Times, 10 May 2007 Azadirachtin causes hormonal imbalances and disrupts the maturation cycle in insects, which results in unsuccessful molts, or heavily deformed immature insect stages.— Illinois Blasdel, Landscape Management, April 2005