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NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF FRESH MORINGA OLEIFERA (PKM-1) LEAVES

Hradesh Rajput, S.G.M. Prasad and Pratistha Srivastava

ABSTRACTMoringa (Moringa oleifera PKM-1) is a highly valued plant that is mostly cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. Chemicals, mineralsand phytochemical properties were determined of fresh moringa leaves. The leaves had moisture (72.83%), total minerals (4.59%), crudeprotein (5.29%), ether extract (6.72%), total carbohydrates (10.57%) and crude fiber (5.75%). The elemental analysis of our samplesrevealed high contents of Ca (475.33 mg/100 g), Mg (40.33 mg/100 g), and K (328.33 mg/100 g), while Fe and Cu were 7.63 and 0.15 mg/100g, respectively. The ascorbic acid, total phenols and scavenging activity of fresh moringa leaves were found 231.28, 62.32 mg/100g and6207.80 % activity/100g respectively. It was concluded that M. oleifera could be used in practice in the treatment of various diseases and isavailable without a medical prescription, often in the form of an herbal infusion for everyday use.

Key words: Moringa oleifera, chemical composition, antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds and minerals.

Ph.D. Scholor, Associate ProfessorWarner College of Dairy Technology

Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology And Sciences, Allahabad

INTRODUCTIONPlants have been an important source of medicine for

thousands of years. Even today, the World Health Organization(WHO) estimates that up to 80% of people still rely primarilyontraditional remedies such as herbs for their medicines (AbiodunO.A. and Adepeju A.B, 2011). The medicinal value of these plantsis due to the presence of a variety of phytochemicals and theirelemental composition. The role of medicinal plants in diseaseprevention or control It is widely distributed throughout Africa,Saudi Arabia, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean Islands, and SouthAmerica. Every part of M. oleifera has medicinal properties andis commercially exploitable for the development of medicinal andindustrial by products (Anjorin et.al., 2010).

Traditionally, the leaves, fruits, flowers, and immature pods ofthis tree are edible; they are used as a highly nutritive vegetablein many countries, particularly in India, Pakistan, the Philippines,Hawaii, and some African nations (Anwar et.al., 2006, Anwaret.al., 2007, Arabshahi et.al., 2007). In developing nations, M.oleifera is used as an alternative to imported food supplementsto treat and combat malnutrition, especially among infants andnursing mothers, by virtue of its chemical constituents (AOAC,1990).

It is also an important Indian medicinal plant and an importantingredient of the Indian cuisine. It contains high concentrationsof ascorbic acid, estrogenic substances and beta-sitosterol, iron,calcium, phosphorus, copper, vitamins A, B and C, alpha-tocopherol, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, beta-carotene,protein, and in particular essential amino acids such asmethionine, cystine, tryptophan and lysine. vitamin C, whichfights a host of illnesses including colds and flu; vitamin A, whichacts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments,diarrhea, and many other diseases; Calcium, which builds strongbones and teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis; Potassium,which is essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves.Another important point is that Moringa leaves contain all of theessential amino acids in a good proportion, which are the buildingblocks of proteins. These leaves could be a great boon to people

who do not get protein from meat. Moringa even containsargenine and histidine two amino acids especially important forinfants, who are unable to make enough protein for their growthrequirements (Duke JA, 1987, Manzoor, et.al., 2007). Thedrumstick leaves an important dietary supplement (MakkarH.P.S. and K. Becker, 1996). It is also having antibacterial,anticancer and purgative effect (Rahman MM and Sheikh MMI,2009, Makonnen et.al., 1997). Crude extracts showed antioxidantproperties as revealed by the following determinations: The TotalAntioxidant Activity (TAA), 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power(Sreelatha S and Padma PR, 2009).

Therefore it is necessary to increase the utilization of Moringaleaves consumption by the different communities. It should beconsumed either fresh or dry. Dried leaves can be stored for along time and can be used regularly. Many companies across theworld manufacturing various products of Moringa leaves suchas Moringa Tea, Moringa Tablets, Moringa Capsules, Moringaleaf Powder, Moringa Soaps and Moringa Face wash. So it isnecessary to hygienically drying and processing of Moringaleaves for further uses.

MATERIALS AND METHODSRaw material: Fresh moringa leaf (PKM-1) was procured from

the Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University ofAgriculture Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Allahabad. Allthe chemicals used in the present study were purchased from S.D.Fine Chemicals Ltd. Mumbai, India.

Proximate Composition: The methods of the Association ofOfficial Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 1990) were used forproximate analysis. A Moringa sample was used for determinationof moisture content by weighing in crucible and drying in ovenat 1050C, until a constant weight was obtained. Determination ofash content was done by muffle Furness at 5500C for 3h. TheKjeldah method was used to determine the protein content. Thecrude fiber content of the samples was determined by digestionmethod and the fat was done by Soxlhet extraction method. Alldeterminations were done in triplicate.

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Sample was weighed into a clean ceramic crucible. A blank wasprepared with empty crucible. The crucible was placed in a mufflefurnace at 5000C for 4 hr. The sample was allowed to cool downin the oven after which it was removed carefully. The ashedsample was poured into already labeled 50 ml centrifugetube. The crucible was rinsed with 5 ml of distilled water into thecentrifuge tube. The crucible was rinsed again with 5 ml ofaquaregia. This was repeated to make a total volume of 20 ml.The sample was mixed properly and centrifuged (IEC Centra GP8)for 10 min at 301.86 g. The supernatant was decanted intoclean vials for mineral determination. The absorbance was readon atomic absorption spectrophotometer at different wavelength for each mineral element (Zn-213.9 nm, Ca-422.7nm, Fe-248.3nm, Mg-285.2nm, Na-589nm and K-766.5 nm) (Novozamskyet.al.,1983)

Bioactive compounds:Ascorbic acid: The ascorbic acid content was estimated by

visual titration method using 2, 4-Dichloro-phenol-Indophenoldye method (AOAC 1990, Ranganna S 1986). Results wereexpressed as milligrams of ascorbic acid/100 g fresh weight.

Ascorbic acid (mg/100gm)=

Total phenolic content: Total phenolics were estimatedaccording to (AOAC 1990), by using photometric method withFolin reagent.The values were reported as mg of gallic acidequivalent (GAE) per 100 gram with reference to gallic acidstandard curve.

Total Phenols (mg/100 gm) =

Antioxidant activity: Antioxidant activity was determinedaccording to the method described by (Zhang, D. and Y.Hamauzu. 2004, Shimada et. al., 1992). As follows five gramsof sample was extracted by 100 ml. 80 % methanol. Differentconcentrations (0.5 to 1 ml) were used to determine the antioxidantactivity using 2,2 - diphenyl - 1 - picryl hydroxyl (DPPH).

Radical scavenging activity (%) =

Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis all the experimentswere conducted in triplicate and the mean and standard deviationwere calculated using MS Excel software.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Chemical Analysis:The proximate analyses of M. oleifera (PKM-1) play a crucial

role in assessing its nutritional value. The chemical compositionof fresh moringa leaves for their mean moisture, total inerals,crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates and crude fiberare shown in Table-1. The result shows that Moringa containmoisture (72.83%), total minerals (4.59%), crude protein (5.29%),ether extract (6.72%), total carbohydrates (10.57%) and crude fiber(5.75%). The percentages of proteins, moisture, fat, carbohydratesof Fresh Moringa leaves were 11.9, 73.9, 1.1 and 10.6%,respectively (Charles et.al., 2011). Finally, through data tabulatedin Table-1, it could be clearly concluded that fresh Moringa leavesare rich to great extent in many significant components such asprotein and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the principal

sources of energy. The ash content of about 4.59% indicates thatthe leaves are rich in mineral elements. The chemical compositionvalues confirmed that fresh M. oleifera leaves are an excellentfood source, justifying its direct use in human nutrition ordevelopment of balanced diets for animal nutrition.

(Titre value×Dye factor×Volume made×100)(Aliquot taken ×sample weight)

(Conc.of phenols from graph×Final volume×100)(Wt.of sample×aliquate taken)

(Absorbance of control (0 minute)-Absorbance of sample (30 minute))

(Absorbance of control (0minute))×100

Values are mean ±SD, analysed individually in triplicate, andexpressed as g/100 g fresh leaves.

Elemental Analysis:Generally, the micro nutrient of any plant depends up on the

different physical parameter of the soils contain a particular ofmineral elements qualities and quantities whose bioavailabilitydepends on soil properties (Nambiar, V. S. and S. Seshadri.2001). Results are mean ± SD, analysed individually in triplicate.The elements were determined by atomic absorptionspectrophotometer at different wave length atomic absorption ofwet digestion of the fresh sample with concentrated nitric acid.The elemental analysis of our samples revealed high contents ofCa (475.33 mg/100 g), Mg (40.33 mg/100 g), and K (328.33 mg/100g), while Fe and Cu were 7.63 and 0.15mg/100 g, respectively.These values of M. oleifera samples found in Mekelle agree withthose found in Burkina Faso and India (Manh, 2005 and McBurney, 2004). Also, noticed that the minerals contents for theCa, Mg, K, Fe, and Cu were 847.1, 151.3, 549.6, 17.5, 1.3 and 0.21mg/100g (DWB) in the fresh Moringa oleifera leaves, respectively(Charles et.al., 2011). This sample could be recommended as asource of essential elements. The results indicated that theMoringa oleifera is an important crop, which has highconcentrations in energy releasing nutrients such as lipids andproteins, besides important minerals (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe and Zn).

Table - 1. Chemical composition of Fresh Moringa (M.oleifera PKM-1) leaves

Elements Value Standard errorMoisture (%) 72.83 1.36Total minerals (%) 4.59 0.42Crude Protein (%) 5.29 0.39Ether extract (%) 6.72 0.31Carbohydrates (%) 10.57 0.86Crude fibre (%) 5.75 0.39

Table 2. Mineral contents of Fresh Moringa (M. oleiferaPKM-1) leaves

Elements Value Standard errorCalcium (mg/100g) 475.33 40.47Magnesium (mg/100g) 40.33 11.09Potassium (mg/100g) 328.33 64.32Iron (mg/100g) 7.63 1.11Copper (mg/100g) 0.15 0.07

Values are mean ±SD, analysed individually in triplicate, andexpressed as mg/100 g fresh leaves.

Bioactive compounds:Concentrations of two natural antioxidants (Total phenolics

and antioxidant vitamin C) and total antioxidant activity in freshmoringa leaves are shown in Table 3. The results revealed thatthe ascorbic acid and total phenols of fresh moringa leaves rangedfrom 231.28 and 62.32 mg/100g respectively. Antioxidant activitiesof fresh moringa leaves as determined by DPPH radicalscavenging method. The radical scavenging activity of fresh

Hradesh Rajput, S.G.M. Prasad and Pratistha Srivastava

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moringa leaf samples was 6207.80% activity/100g. It could beobserved that the fresh Moringa leaves are rich sources of naturalantioxidants and total antioxidant activity (Table 3). Theseresults are in agreement with these stated by (Compaore et. al.,2011). However, from the aforementioned obtained data, it couldbe clearly concluded that fresh Moringa leaf containedconsiderable contents of components possessing the propertyof antioxidant activity.

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Table 3. Phytochemical analysis of Fresh Moringa (M.oleifera PKM-1) leaves

Perameters Value Standard errorAscorbic acid (mg/100g) 231.28 3.97Total phenols (mg/100g) 62.32 1.20TEAC2,mol TE (mg/100g) 6207.80 37.67

CONCLUSIONAll data concerning different compounds existing in Moringa

oleifera (PKM-1), it could be clearly concluded that Moringa leafis very rich in many important nutrients to human health such aslipids and proteins, significant minerals and bioactive compoundswhich means that this crop worth to be studied or investigated.As it was mentioned for other aforementioned components inMoringa oleifera leaves. Through the same study, it has beenproved that it could be practically to utilize moringa leaves inproducing very important and palatable economic products suchas moringa powder and moringa juice It is also recommended toexpand the area cultivated with moringa in future.

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Values are mean ±SD, analysed individually in triplicate, andareexpressed as mg/100 g fresh leaves.

TEAC: Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, anantioxidant assay using ABTS radicals; TE: trolox equivalent

The Allahabad Farmer, Vol. LXXIV, No. 1, January - March, 2018