Effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Seed Extract on Artemia

Alexandra Mendez, Yadhira D. Arocho, Lizza Rodriguez, Christopher Cardona, and Eythan Morenu.

University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla

Effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Seed Extract on ArtemiaBy: Alexandra Mendez, Yadhira D. Arocho, Lizza Rodriguez, Christopher Cardona, and Eythan Morenu.

Evaluation of dataand conclusions

Quick View of Artemia organismQuick View of Neem tree

Experimental process

Phylum Arthropoda

Subphylum Crustacea

Class Branchiopoda

Order Anostraca

Family Artemidae

Genus Artemia

Clasification of the brine shrimp Artemia:

oviparous

ovoviviparous

Life cycle of Artemia

Continuous reproduction

Alternation of reproductivemode

Production of encystedembryos

Production of nauplii

There are sexual and parthenogeneticspecies

Artemia is a very important organism from an ecological and economic perspective

Artemia biomass is used inaquaculture (fish food),this is a million dollar industry

Artemia are important for the production of salt and thesurvival of many species of birds in the salt flat system

Research question:

How will the Neem (Azaridachta indica) seed extract affect the survival of Artemia larvae?

Neem Tree Info.

Escribir informacion relacionada al arbol de NEEM.

!

• Neem = Insecticide

• Effect of Neem in Artemia = ?

?

50%

35%

10%

5%

0% (CONTROL)

From the original filtered stock solution of 200 g/L:

Prepared Solutions

100%

50%

40%

20%

10%

From the original filtered stock solution of 200 g/L:

5%

0% = CONTROL

• Artemia cysts from The Great Salt Lake • Neem seeds, collected from a tree

located in Cabo Rojo, P.R.,– The seeds were placed in a food processor

with 100 mL of off-shore sea water with a salinity of 35.

– The obtained solution was filtered twice through a 0.5mm filter.

Experimental Process

10 Artemia nauplii for each of the tubes

25 test tubes

Total of 250 Artemia nauplii

The experimental test tubes containing the Artemia nauplii were placed in a test tube holder, and were left undisturbed in a dark laboratory room with a temperature of 25°C until the next day.

24 hours later hours later (the next day) the experimental test tubes were observed and the live and/or dead Artemia nauplii were counted.

Both experimental phases were based on a filtered stock neem seed solution of 200g/L. The difference between both experimental phases was the concentration of the solution used on the experiment but both phases parted from the original 200g/L stock solution.

In phase one we did not find significant death rates on Artemia at the different concentrations, this was our main motivation to repeat the experiment (phase II).

In phase II we modified a little the concentrations (modifications shown on methods and materials section) and implemented a 100% concentration. We also implemented a dissolved oxygen test performed with a Hach HQ10 dissolved oxygen meter.

Results?

Our results for phase I:

In phase one we did not find significant death rates on Artemia at the different concentrations, this was our main motivation to repeat the experiment (phase II).

Our results for phase II:

Lethal effect on Artemia

Artemia died at the different concentrations.

However, we can not conclude that Artemia died because of the neem seed extract because our dissolved oxygen tests demonstrated levels of dissolved oxygen that were too low for the Artemia organism (dissolved O2 levels shown on graph 2).

On our next experimental effort (phase III) we will perform the experiment with a controlled oxygen environment that is adequate for the Artemia and this will enable us to determine the effect neem seed extract might have on Artemia on the different concentrations.

In an aquaculture practical application we want to know if neem seed extract has a positive effect on the growth and development of Artemia.

If neem seed extract would promote a faster growth rate it could be used to accelerate development of Artemia and more Artemia could be grown faster to satisfy the growing demand of Artemia in the aquaculture industry.

Acknowledgements

• Profa. Sandra Quiñones• Prof. Carlos Ruiz• Profa. Liza Jimenez• Profa. Sonia Rivera• Profa. Migdalia Sotomayor• Prof. Robert J. Mayer• Prof. Rafael Estremera