Moringa oleifera: bioactive compounds and nutritional potential

Abstract

This work aims to review the nutritional properties of the Moringa oleifera tree, emphasizing its main constituents and nutritional applications for humans and animals. Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is a cosmopolitan tree that grows in many tropical countries showing uncountable folk uses due to its various nutritional and pharmacological applications. The young leaves, flowers and pods are common vegetables in the Asian diet. All parts of this plant are renewable sources of tocopherols (γ and α), phenolic compounds, ß-carotene, vitamin C and total proteins, including the essential sulfur amino acids, methionine and cysteine. The seed protein and fat contents are higher than those reported for important grain legumes and soybean varieties, respectively. Unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, carbohydrates and minerals are present in the seed in reasonable amounts. In general, there are low concentrations of antinutritional factors in the plant, although the seeds possess glucosinolates (65.5µmol/g dry matter), phytates (41g/kg) and hemagglutination activity while the leaves have appreciable amounts of saponins (80g/kg), besides low quantity of phytates (21g/kg) and tannins (12g/kg). Taking into consideration the excellent nutritional properties, the low toxicity of the seeds and the excellent ability of the plant to adapt to poor soils and dry climates, Moringa oleifera can be an alternative to some leguminous seeds as a source of high-quality protein, oil and antioxidant compounds and a way to treat water in rural areas where appropriate water resources are not available.Indexing terms: Protease Inhibitors. Moringa oleifera. Nutritive value. R E S U M OO objetivo deste trabalho é fazer uma revisão sobre as propriedades nutricionais da planta Moringa oleifera, enfatizando seus principais constituintes e suas aplicações nutricionais para o homem e os animais. Moringa

Folk uses and pharmacological properties of Casearia sylvestris: a medicinal review

“…The phytotherapic use has increased in developing and in developed countries as an additional way to treat and prevent diseases, particularly chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative dysfunctions (World Health Organization 2003, Ferreira et al 2008. These natural products are represented by teas, powders, extracts, infusions and other sorts of formulations (Balu-The Brazilian territory embrace the major diversity of plant species in the world, but less than 10% have been evaluated with respect to their biological characteristics and fewer than 5% have been subjected to detailed phytochemical studies (Luna et al 2005).…”

Moringa oleifera: an alternative forage of multiple uses for the Brazilian semiarid

“…This fast-growing plant reaches up to 15 meters in height (Ferreira et al, 2008) and has a short trunk with 25 cm thickness (Sánchez et al, 2006a). According to Pérez et al (2010), it is short-lived and can live for up to 20 years, with annual varieties found in India.…”

“…The seeds can also be used as an excellent substitute food for vegetables that are generally poor in sulfur-containing aminoacids (Ferreira et al, 2008).…”

“…However, the most cited medicinal use of moringa is for skin diseases, digestive system diseases and joint impairments (Ferreira et al, 2008).…”

Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in rat hippocampus pretreated with garcinielliptone FC fromPlatonia insignis

“…Endogenous antioxidant mechanisms inhibit or delay specific substrate oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are important in preventing many diseases (Halliwell et al, 1992;Ferreira et al, 2008;Freitas et al, 2010). Their effectiveness can be improved by exogenous antioxidants of natural and synthetic origin that are present in the diet.…”