multifaceted applicative uses of Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Neem leaves offer remarkable potential for medicinal, agricultural and industrial applications. Different parts of the neem plant including flowers, leaves, seeds, fruits and bark were used in the treatment of both acute and chronic diseases and also used as insecticide, antimicrobial, larvicidal, antimalarial, antibacterial, antiviral and spermicidal. The active compounds present in neem leaf such as Azadirachtin A, Nimbolide, 2', 3' -Dehydrosalannol, 6-desacetyl Nimbinene, Nimbin, Salannin, Gedunin, Azadirone, Nimonol, isomeldenin were easily extracted with Ethyl acetate and analysed by HPLC.  The better antimicrobial activity of neem leaf extract can be used as an additive in food industry. Some of the neem recipes all over the world were explored to demonstrate its use as a food, attesting its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) level. The potential of neem leaf bioactive molecules is discussed for its prophylactic and antimicrobial power as food additives, either in the form of neem leaves extract or combined to formulations such as edible films or nanoparticles. Various examples deriving from published works on its application in food storage, extension of shelf-life and food quality and safety, are presented. Neem leaves extracts have the potential to be exploited in food technology in all the world, according to the economic scale and possibilities of each country.