Which Acid is Found in Neem? A Detailed Look at Neem's Chemical Composition

January 3, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the Neem Foundation, neem oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids. However, the question "Which acid is found in neem?" has a multifaceted answer, as different parts of the tree contain a variety of beneficial acidic compounds, from the oil to the bark and gum.

Quick Summary

Neem contains multiple acidic compounds, with the oil predominantly featuring fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid, while other tree parts, such as the bark and gum, contain organic acids, tannic acid, and amino acids.

Key Points

Fatty Acids in Oil: Neem oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, essential for its moisturizing properties.
Organic Acids in Sap: The gum and sap of the neem tree contain organic acids such as citric, malonic, succinic, and fumaric acid, which support the tree's metabolic functions.
Amino Acids in Pollen: Neem pollen is a source of various amino acids like glutamic acid and arginine, which are crucial for protein synthesis.
Tannic Acid in Neem Cake: The byproduct of oil extraction, neem cake, contains tannic acid, which has astringent properties.
Ascorbic Acid in Leaves: Neem leaves are a good source of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), a powerful antioxidant.
Limonoids (Not Acids, but Acidic in Nature): While not traditional acids, powerful compounds like azadirachtin are also found in neem, known for their insecticidal properties.

The Diverse Acids Within Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Neem is renowned for its medicinal properties, attributed to a complex mixture of compounds found throughout the plant. While azadirachtin is a primary active compound, the acidic profile is surprisingly diverse, varying significantly between the different parts of the tree. Understanding this chemical complexity is key to appreciating the plant's full range of applications.

The Acids Found in Neem Oil

Neem seed oil is a rich source of beneficial fatty acids, which contribute to its effectiveness in skincare and as an organic pesticide. A detailed analysis typically reveals several key components:

Oleic acid: Often the most abundant fatty acid, making up a significant percentage of the oil. It is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid known for its moisturizing properties.
Linoleic acid: An essential polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid found in neem oil. Its anti-inflammatory and skin-barrier-strengthening effects are well-documented.
Palmitic acid: A saturated fatty acid that functions as an emollient in many cosmetic applications.
Stearic acid: Another saturated fatty acid that provides emollient properties and helps to stabilize formulations.
Arachidic acid: A smaller component of the oil, this saturated fatty acid also contributes to the oil's overall profile.

Organic and Amino Acids in Other Neem Parts

Beyond the oil, other sections of the neem tree contain their own unique collection of acidic compounds.

Bark and Sap

Organic Acids: The sap from older neem trees contains a variety of organic acids, including citric acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, and fumaric acid. These are involved in the plant's metabolic processes and may contribute to some of its therapeutic effects.
Tannic Acid: Neem cake, the residue left after oil extraction, contains a notable amount of tannic acid, which is a type of tannin. Tannins are known for their astringent properties and are used in various industrial applications, including leather tanning.

Pollen and Leaves

Amino Acids: Neem pollen contains a wide array of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. These include glutamic acid, tyrosine, arginine, and isoleucine, among others. Neem leaves also contain various amino acids.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): Research has indicated that neem leaves are a source of ascorbic acid, a vital antioxidant. This water-soluble vitamin helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

A Deeper Dive into Neem's Triterpenoids

Neem is also rich in limonoids, a class of triterpenoids, which are not acids themselves but are complex organic molecules with potent biological activity. The most famous of these is azadirachtin, the primary insecticidal agent in neem seed extract. Other important limonoids include nimbin, nimbidin, and salannin. These compounds are what give neem its powerful insect-repelling and antiseptic properties.

Comparison of Key Acidic Compounds in Neem


Neem Part	Primary Acidic Compounds	Chemical Class	Key Properties
Seed Oil	Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Palmitic Acid	Fatty Acids	Emollient, Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing
Gum/Sap	Citric Acid, Malonic Acid, Succinic Acid	Organic Acids	Metabolic components, Detoxifying potential
Bark/Cake	Tannic Acid	Tannin	Astringent properties
Pollen/Leaves	Glutamic Acid, Ascorbic Acid	Amino Acids, Vitamin	Building blocks of protein, Antioxidant
Seeds/Leaves	Azadirachtin, Nimbin (Limonoids)	Triterpenoids	Insecticidal, Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory

The Significance of Multiple Acids

The presence of various acids in different parts of the neem tree highlights its diverse biological makeup. The fatty acids in the oil make it suitable for topical applications like skincare and hair products, while the organic and amino acids in the sap and pollen contribute to the plant's overall health and nutritional profile. The synergistic effects of these and other compounds are what define neem's broad range of traditional medicinal uses.

Conclusion

While a variety of fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, are prominently featured in neem seed oil, it is an oversimplification to point to just one "acid found in neem". The tree's chemistry is complex, with its gum containing organic acids and its bark possessing tannins and other active compounds. The therapeutic and practical uses of the neem tree are a direct result of this rich, multi-faceted chemical profile. For more information, consult reliable botanical and medicinal resources.

To learn more about the extensive range of beneficial compounds derived from neem, you can explore scientific reviews on the National Institutes of Health website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main fatty acid in neem oil can vary, but typically, it is rich in oleic acid and linoleic acid, along with other fatty acids like palmitic and stearic acid.

Yes, research has confirmed that neem leaves are a source of ascorbic acid, which is also known as Vitamin C.

The sap from older neem trees has been found to contain several organic acids, such as citric acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, and fumaric acid.

Limonoids like azadirachtin are not acids, but rather a class of organic compounds called triterpenoids. They possess potent biological activity and are a key component of neem's properties.

Tannic acid is found in the neem cake, which is the residue left after the oil has been extracted from the seeds.

Yes, the fatty acids in neem oil, including linoleic and oleic acids, have documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that can benefit skin health.

The acid composition varies greatly by plant part; the seeds yield oil with high levels of fatty acids, the sap contains organic acids, the pollen and leaves contain amino acids and ascorbic acid, and the bark contains tannins.