Nutritional Assessment and Biological Activity of Moringa oleifera.
IntroductionMoringa oleifera Lam medicinal plant which belongs to Moringaceae family. It is distributed in the Himalayan foothills from north-eastern Pakistan to north-west Bengal, India, Afghanistan, Srilanka, South and West Asia and Africa. All parts of the plant were used for the treatment of various diseases forms. The root is used to treat different forms of diseases such as, fever, epilepsy, asthma, headache, gout, diarrhoea, hysteria, flatulence, scurvy, low back and kidney pain, flowers used for throat infections, hysteria and rheumatism as well as tonic abortion, seeds for tumour, ulcer, rheumatism and arthritis, and the leaves for bacterial infection, antioxidant, urinary tract infection and diarrhoea, HIV-AIDS, headache, hypertensive, lactating enhancer, fever, hepatic, ulcer, tumour, dysentery, catarrh and scurvy (Chaudhary and Chaurasia, 2017). The leaves of Moringa oleifera are also beneficial for the treatment of pneumonia, malaria, hyperglycaemia, diarrhoea, skin disease, flu, anticancer, heart burn antimicrobial, syphilis, dyslipidemia, scurvy, headache, antibiotic, anti-atherosclerotic, antidiabetic, neuroprotectant reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. The seeds for the treatment of chrohn's disease, gout, hyperthyroidism, epilepsy, antiherpes simplex virus arthritis, sexually transmitted disease, cramp, antiinflammatory and antimicrobial agents studied by (Lakshmipriya et al., 2016). In the ancient world, Moringa oleifera was extremely valued. It is mentioned that leaves and fruits of Moringa in their diet to maintain healthy skin and mental alertness in the history dates back to 150 B.C. Moringa leaf extract was fed of the ancient Maurian soldiers of India in the warfront. Moringa is fabulous food tree with remarkable sources of nutrients including calcium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A. It is described that the leaves of Moringa oleifera contain vitamin A ten times more than carrot, vitamin C seven times more than orange, seventeen times calcium than milk, iron 25 times more than spinach, potassium 15 more than banana and also contain vitamin B complex, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium and phosphorus (Bhupendra and Chase, 2015). Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifertility, anti-atherosclerotic, relieving pain, diuretic, regulating hypothyroidism, central nervous system depressant, asthma, hyperglycaemia, pneumonia, malaria, scurvy, diarrhoea dyslidemia, reduce blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotection agent, skin disease, headache, bronchitis, eye and ear infection, heartburn, flu and syphilis have been cured by Moringa oleifera (Udikala et al., 2017; Rockwood et al., 2013; Mbikay, 2012). The all parts plant including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits (Pod) and seeds are being used in the different types of diseases such as treatment of inflammation, hepatorenal disorders, infectious diseases, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disorders studied by (Nath et al., 2015). The leaves of Moringa oleifera have possessed more vitamin A than carrots, and more potassium than bananas, more iron than spinach more calcium than milk, more vitamin C than oranges and protein quality equal to as milk and eggs (Sujatha and Patel, 2017).
Materials and Methods
Sample preparation. The fresh root, stem, leave, flower, seed that were being selected and collected from district Kamber, Sindh, Pakistan, had been dried under shade for about 15-30 days and ground. Further, powdered plants materials were made after dryness and stored in air tight bags for further analysis.
Estimation of phytochemical and biological activity methods. Proximate analysis. Total ash and moisture content were identified by oven/muffle furnace. Phytochemicals were screened studied by (Lanjwani et al., 2015). Carbohydrates by Anthrone method (Rawat et al., 2012), Protein by lowery method (Naidu et al., 2013).
Phytochemical analysis. Total phenolic contents were determined by Folin Ciocalteu method (Maurya and Singh, 2010), flavonoid by aluminium chloride method (Damodar et al., 2011), tannin by modified Prussian method (Sathishkumar and Baskar, 2015), total alkaloids by Dragendorff's method by (Sonal et al., 2011).
Minerals analysis. The plant samples were acid digested for mineral determination detected by (Lanjwani et al., 2016). Minerals were identified by atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin Elmer AA 800).
Biological analysis. The content of antioxidant identified by iron reduction method (Patel et al., 2010), antimicrobial content by Agar-Well Diffusion Assay (Bonjar, 2014).
Antibacterial protein and peptide. Preparation of plant extracts, 10 g of plant powdered sample was taken and 100 mL of distilled water was added and kept on shaking water bath at room temperature for 24 h and then filtered through Whatman filter paper no 1. Filtrate was treated with 20% trichloroacetic acid. Solution was stand at room temperature for one hour and centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 15 m. Precipitate is collected and solution was checked by 20% trichloroacetic acid for further precipitation. Precipitate was washed with acetone and dried. Precipitate was fully dissolved in distilled water than filtered was used for antibacterial protein 20 [micro]L every sample are used.
Results and Discussion
The results of present study showed that an appreciable amount of phytochemicals indicated that the aqueous extract is the best solvent for extraction including alkaloid, amino acids, phenolic compounds, tannins and flavonoids, whereas methanol extracts is the best solvent for saponins, proteins, carbohydrates, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, fats and oils. The presence of phytochemicals has diversed medicinal properties including alkaloids for antimalarial, antispasmodic, analgesic and diuretic activity. Terpenoid for anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, anthelmintic, antimalarial and anti-inflammatory and inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and also possess insecticidal activities. Saponin for antiviral, anti-inflammatory defense of plant and cholesterol reducing activity. Glycosides for antibacterial and antifungal properties. Phenols and flavonoid for antioxidant, antibacterial and antiallergic, etc. (Padalia and Chanda, 2015; Moteriya et al., 2015).
Proximate composition is shown in the Table 2, the high ash values obtained in this analysis, which is good sources of inorganic minerals. It is positive indication that high ash indicates high deposition of minerals it is good sign because ash is composed of minerals. Such variations may be occurred due to different areas of research which is impacted by various factors including climates geographical conditions. For tropical climates high moisture will be suitable in replacing loss of water from the body. The root of plants showed good sources of carbohydrate, whereas the highest % of protein was observed in the seeds. The building block of cell and body is protein. The leaves of Moringa oleifera have been used in eating in African countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, east Africa, Nigeria and Malawi. Moringa tree is also cultivated for foods, nutritional and medicinal purposes (Gomashe et al., 2014). The present result of protein and moisture were compared which was similar to reported (Yameogo et al., 2011; Manzoor et al., 2007). The protein and carbohydrate were investigated in the seeds, while similar finding reported by (Oliveira et al., 1999). The carbohydrates and ash contents in the leaves, flowers and seeds were being compared to the reported studies indicated in range (Sanchez-Machado et al., 2010).
Phytochemical and antioxidant content are shown in the Table 3. The leaves and seeds for this study showed appreciable sources of phytochemical including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids and antioxidant content. This is investigated that phytochemical have adversed beneficial effects in the humans. For example, phenolic compounds and tannins, flavonoids having hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antihypertensive properties (Oluwole et al., 2013). In the present result, the total phenolic compounds, flavonoid and alkaloid were lower and tannin higher than reported by (Adeyemi et al., 2014).
Mineral composition is shown in the Table 4. It is observed that appreciable sources of principle essential macrominerals including Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, and K. The leaves showed top nutritional values. The present results of Ca, Na, Fe and Zn were compared with previously reported including calcium and iron were investigated near about reported (Padalia and Chanda, 2015). The present results of Mg, Fe are higher and Ca, Na, K and Mn lower than reported by (Aslam et al., 2005). Zn and Ni contents were investigated to be higher in degree, while Cr, Cd, Lead were lower than reported by (Limmatvapirat et al., 2013). The concentrations of cadmium have been indicated below detection limit which is toxic highly even at concentration low. Amount of concentration of lead and cobalt were recorded around permissible limit in the all parts. It is great advantage to be the consumers because of lead is highly toxic. Moringa is fabulous food tree with remarkable sources of nutrients including calcium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A. It is described that leaves of Moringa oleifera contain vitamin A ten times more than carrot, vitamin C is seven times more than orange and seventeen times of calcium than milk, iron 25 times more than spinach, potassium 15 more than banana and also contain vitamin B complex, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium and phosphorus (Bhupendra and Chase, 2015). Calcium is required for maintaining and formation of bone and teeth, blood clotting and muscle contraction, while potassium is most essential for regulation of water and electrolyte balance, nerve action, muscle function, acid balance in the body. Potassium cause muscle paralysis (Okiki et al., 2015).
Antibacterial activity results are summarized in the Fig. 1. Antibacterial activity including the Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aurous were found to be the most sensitive, while Klebsiella pneumonia least sensitive in the present study. The growth of Escherichia coli is inhibited by the mostly all parts of plants, whereas flowers and leaves showed good inhibition zone against Escherichia coli. It is highly active against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus which may be possessed important beneficial chemical including proteins, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, flavonoids and glycosides. 26 mm inhibition zone was measured by the leaves against Escherichia coli that were investigated, while similar in finding 23 mm inhibition zone was reported in (Abalaka et al., 2012).
Antibacterial proteins and peptides results have been showed in the Table 5. The flower of Maringa oleifera was possessed antibacterial proteins and peptides which showed highly significant against Staphylococcus aurous, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas, Proteus and Enterobacter. It has been investigated that the flowers can be used to discovered new natural products in the forms of antimicrobial proteins and peptides. Among them proteins and peptides were recently observed as antimicrobial activities. The proteins and peptides are identified as important components of the innate defense system of fungi, bacteria, insects, plants and animals. Most of these defence proteins have multi tasked activities. The several peptides have capabilities to inhibit gram negative and positive bacteria were reported (Reddy et al., 2004).
Conclusion
Moringa oleifera provides huge nutrition including proteins, carbohydrates and principle essential macrominerals supplements which are beneficial for the treatment and prevention of many human being diseases. There is need to introduce such types of medicinal plants, which may play huge role in new medicinal drugs in reducing hunger, malnutrition and poverty from malnourished areas of Pakistan.
Conflict of Interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Abdul Hameed Lanjwani * (a), Allah Bux Ghanghro (a), Taj Muhammad Jahangir Khuhawar (b) and Muhammad Farooque Lanjwani (b)
(a) Institute of Biochemistry, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan
(b) Institute for Advanced Research Studies in Chemical Sciences, University of Sindh, Jamshoro Sindh, Pakistan
(received October 15, 2018; revised March 11, 2019; accepted March 12, 2018)
* Author for correspondence;
E-mail: hameed.lanjwani@scholars.usindh.edu.pk
Caption: Fig. 1. Antibacterial analysis of methanol extract of Moringa oleifera.
Table 1. Phytochemical screening of the different parts of Moringa
oleifera
Phytochemical Root Stem Leave Flower
MET AQ MET AQ MET AQ MET AQ
Alkaloids - - - - + - - -
Phenolic compounds + +++ +++ +++ + +++ + +++
Tannins +++ +++ +++ +++ + +++ +++ +++
Flavonoids - ++ - - + - - ++
Saponins ++ + + + + + ++ ++
Amino Acids +++ +++ - +++ - +++ - +++
Protein + + +++ + + + + +
Carbohydrates +++ + +++ + + +++ ++ +++
Glycosides + + + - - +++ + -
Steroids and +++ ++ +++ - +++ +++ +++ +++
triterpenoids
Fat and oils + + + + + + ++ +
Vitamin C - - - - + - -
Phytochemical Seed
MET AQ
Alkaloids - ++
Phenolic compounds + +++
Tannins + +++
Flavonoids ++ +
Saponins +++ +++
Amino Acids +++ +++
Protein + +
Carbohydrates +++ +++
Glycosides + -
Steroids and +++ +
triterpenoids
Fat and oils +++ +
Vitamin C - -
Note: (+++) = Appreciable; (++) = Moderate; (+) = Trace amount; (-) =
absent; (MET) = Methanol; (AQ) = Aqueous.
Table 2. Proximate composition (%) of Moringa oleifera Parts Moisture Ash Carbohydrate Protein of plants Roots 83 21 30.7 6.8 Stems 82 13.9 28.3 3.6 Leaves 77 20 28 10.1 Flowers 78.2 22 27.3 5.3 Seeds 24 20 19.8 36.7
Table 3. Phytochemical and antioxidant content (mg/g) of Moringa oleifera Parts Phenolic Flavonoid Tannin Alkaloid Antioxidant of plants compound Roots 112 20 64 0 62 Stems 221 51 65 0 18 Leaves 230 101 64 9.8 45 Flowers 153 37 65 0 55 Seeds 154 84 62 150 48
Table 4. Mineral composition (mg/Kg) of Moringa oleifera Nutrients Root Stem Leave Flower Seed Calcium 2400 4000 16000 2000 1760 Iron 35.12 312.5 625.5 460.9 10.96 Potassium 1204.8 1212.8 1312.8 1101.6 1200 Magnesium 864.2 903.1 562.9 679.6 650.5 Sodium 1768 1136 1680 1300 1600 Zinc 2.2 15.2 17.6 14.6 26 Manganese 45.04 BDL BDL BDL BDL Cobalt BDL 25.7 BDL BDL BDL Lead 0.6 5.7 10.8 15.2 BDL Copper BDL BDL BDL 19.1 4.8 Chromium BDL BDL BDL 0.8 BDL Nickel 1.7 2.7 3.1 1.5 2 .8 Cadmium BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL Note: (BDL) Below Detection Limit.
Table 5. Antibacterial protein and peptide from flowers
of Moringa oleifera
Bacteria Diameter of zone of
inhibition mm
Staphylococcus aurous 15
Pseudomonas 14
Escherichia coli 8
Klebsiella pneumonia 6
Proteus 5
Enterobacter 4
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