Effect of dehydration methods on retention of carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity in Moringa oleifera leaves and preparation of a RTE product

Abstract

Fresh leaves of M. oleifera plants were analysed for nutritionally important phytoconstituents and feasible commercially used dehydration method were evaluated to preserve these in dehydrated leaves. Trans-lutein, trans-β-carotene and trans-zeaxanthin were found as the major carotenoids in fresh leaves, accounting for 36.9, 18.2 and 5.5 mg/100 g FW, respectively. Similarly, high amounts of ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol and total phenolic content (271.0, 36.9 and 512.0 mg/100 g FW), respectively were recorded in leaves. α-tocopherol was the most stable vitamin under all drying conditions (86.4 % retention during oven drying), compare to other studied phytoconstituents. Cabinet tray drying was found as efficient as lyophilisation to retain maximum content of total carotenoids (60.1 %), trans-β-carotene (90.1 %), 13-cis-lutein (93.2 %), and DPPH activity, however, lutein (51.3 %) and ascorbic acid (97.8 %) was best preserved by lyophilisation. During dehydration, significant trans to cis isomerization of β-carotene and lutein was also recorded. A ready to eat (RTE) chutney powder (adjunct) was developed from dehydrated leaves. The product was evaluated using Quantitative Descriptive Analysis and was accepted with a high overall quality score. The present investigation explores the nutritional potential of M. oleifera leaves and suitable methods of drying that could be useful for processed food formulation.

Effect of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> (Lam.) pods as feed additive on egg antioxidants, chemical composition and performance of commercial layers

“…MPM could be a candidate phytogenic feed additive based on its bioactive compounds, which might add value to eggs and have positive impacts on animal health and performance (Yang et al, 2006;Portugaliza & Fernandez, 2011;Zanu et al, 2012;Ola-Fadunsin & Ademola, 2013). β-carotene and quercetin in Moringa pods range from 2.7 to 3.10 mg/100 g and 80 to 150 mg/100 g of dried pods, respectively (Amaglo, 2010;Saini et al, 2014a;Saini et al, 2014b). When added to the feed, these bioactives, along with phytochemicals, enrich eggs and have positive effects on the health and wellbeing of birds.…”

Antibacterial, antibiofilm, hemolytic activity and phytochemical study of various aerial parts of Moringa oleifera in Pakistan

“…Most of the people in developing an developed countries use traditional medicines originated from medicinal plant (Igbinosa et al, 2009). Various parts of Moringa oleiferaahave been recognized as being good sources of phenolic acids glucosinolates and flavonoids (Amaglo et al, 2010;Coppin et al, 2013), carotenoids tocopherols (Saini et al, 2014). "…”

Phytochemical Constituents, Biological Activities, Therapeutic Potentials and Nutritional Values of &lt;i&gt;Moringa oleifera&lt;/i&gt; (Zogale): A Review

“…Different parts of the M. oleifera tree have been established as being good sources of unique glucosinolates, flavonoids and phenolic acids [32], carotenoids [9], tocopherols [38], polyunsaturated fatty acids [30], highly bio available minerals [9], and folate. Among glucosinolates, 4-O-(a-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate (glucomoringin) is the most predominant in the stem, leaves, flowers, pods and seeds of M. oleifera [32].…”

“…With evidence from various studies, the foliage of M. oleifera is established as a rich source of carotenoids and tocopherols. However, these vitamins are significantly degraded during dehydration and the other processes that occur in the Moringa foliage [38]. Thus, experiments have also been conducted to further enhance the content of these vitamins in the foliage of M. oleifera [8], and interestingly, foliar administration of biotic elicitors (carboxy-methyl chitosan and chitosan) and signaling molecules (methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid) has been found to be potentially beneficial for the enhancement of major carotenoids and a-tocopherol in the foliage of field grown M. oleifera trees.…”