This study examined the photostabilization of Azadirachtin-A (Aza-A) when exposed to ultraviolet light in the presence of some natural absorbers. Aza-A extract solutions with and without natural UV light absorbers in methanol were applied onto the surface of glass slides. At particular intervals, the remaining concentration of Aza-A was analyzed by HPLC. Using first-order kinetic equation, the dissipation half-life values (DT50) for the degradation of Aza-A under ultraviolet radiation were obtained. It indicated that the addition of ferulic acid, gallic acid, and rutin provided moderate degree of photostabilization of Aza-A and that addition of aloin provided the best photostabilization of Aza-A, among these UV absorbers studied. Photostabilization of Aza-A by different UV light absorbers appears to be due to the competitive energy absorption of UV photons by the absorbers molecules. The dissipation half-life values of Aza-A after irradiation under ultraviolet light suggested that the addition of aloin (in 1:1 mol ratio) can provide better photostabilization of azadirachtin molecule.
