Evaluation of Proximate, Minerals, Vitamins and PhytochemicalComposition of Moringa oleifera Lam. Cultivated in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is a plant that is in high demand for its nutritional and medicinal values. This studywas aimed at assessing the nutritional and phytochemical constituents of the leaf ofMoringa oleiferacultivated in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Samples of leaf ofM. oleifera were obtained from six different moringacultivating locations in Ado Ekiti. The proximate analysis of dried leaf of M. oleifera showed that it is highlyrich in protein (28.00±0.33%) and metabolizable energy (2625.25±79.30 Kcal/Kg), with appreciable levels of fat(3.88%), ash (9.88%), crude fibre (12.57%) and carbohydrate (37.87%). The leaf was found to be rich in mineralsand vitamins. It contained high concentrations of Zn , Mg , Ca , K and PO , respectively, 64.17±2.04,2+2+2++3-4643.33±6.06, 82.50±6.89, 430.00±8.37 and 50.43±2.05mg/100g. Low, but appreciable levels of Fe , ascorbic2+acid, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin were equally obtained. Phytochemical analysis revealed high concentrationsof alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins; 446.67±12.11, 846.67±11.07 and 844.17±27.82mg/100g respectively.The concentrations of phytates and tannin were high, but with low oxalate content. No cyanogenic glycosidewas detected. A satisfactory oxygen radical absorption capacity level of 37.23% and very low anti-proteaseactivity (0.13±0.06mg/100g) were obtained. The rich array of results obtained in this study displays thatM. oleifera is a multipurpose plant that could contribute immensely towards meeting both human and livestocknutritional requiremen