FTIR Studies of Bioactive Molecules in Methanolic Extract of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Leaves

Azadirachta Indica (Neem) is known as medicinal plant for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Now a days, India found many therapeutic uses from neem leaves extract. The neem tree generally found in Indian subcontinent and South Africa. The present study investigates the functional groups present in the methanolic extract of neem leaves using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The spectrum was recorded in the region of 4000–500 cm⁻¹. Several absorption peaks displayed to hydroxyl, alkane, carbonyl, aromatic and alkoxy functional groups. Detailed spectral interpretation suggests the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and tannins. These compounds are responsible for the pharmacological activities of neem leaves. The results demonstrate that FTIR spectroscopy is a rapid and reliable analytical technique for phytochemical characterization of plant extracts. Finally, the study focuses to isolate and characterize lead molecules from methanolic neem leaves extract for further uses of biological activities.