Original Article 123 NUTRIENTS AND MINERALS CONTENT OF ELEVEN DIFFERENT SAMPLES OF MORINGA OLEIFERA CULTIVATED IN THAILAND Suchada Jongrungruangchok1, Supawan Bunrathep2 and Thanapat Songsak2,* 1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Patumthani 12000, Thailand ABSTRACT : Moringa oleifera, the medicinal plant in Moringaceae family, has been used worldwide in traditional medicine. Different parts of this plant contain a profile of important minerals, and a good source of protein, vitamins, and various phenolics. The objective of this study was to compare the proximate composition and mineral constituents in Moringa leaves from 11 different agro climatic regions distributed in Thailand. These leaves were found to contain 19.15-28.80 % of protein; 2.06-2.47 % of fat; 16.30-23.89 % of fiber; 8.52-13.53 % of moisture. The calcium, potassium and iron contents of Moringa leaves (100 g dry weight) were found in the range of 1510.41-2951.13 mg, 1504.23-2054.05 mg and 20.31- 37.60 mg, respectively. The results of present analysis revealed that Moringa leaves indigenous to different agro-climatic regions of Thailand contained an appreciable amount of nutrients and might be used as a good supplement for some nutrients such as protein, fiber and minerals. KEYWORDS: Moringa oleifera, proximate analysis, minerals content INTRODUCTION: In recent years, interest has macro and micro nutrients, being a significant grown in the utilization of what have come to be source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, protein, known as 'multipurpose' plants. One such plant is calcium, iron, and potassium7-10). In the Philippines, Moringa oleifera Lam (syn. Moringa pterygosperma), it is known as ‘mother’s best friend’ because of its the most widely cultivated species of a utilization to increase milk production in breast- monogeneric family Moringaceae. Though native feeding women and is sometimes prescribed for in the sub-Himalayan tracts, it is widely cultivated anemia11). A large number of reports on the in Africa, Central and South America, Sri Lanka, nutritional information of Moringa leaves12-13) are India, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and the provided in various countries such as India14), Philippines1. In some parts of the world M. oleifera Sudan15), Ghana16), and Pakistan17). Tree for life, is referred to as the ‘drumstick tree’ or the ‘horse an NGO based in the United States has promoted radish tree’ whereas in Thailand it is known as this nutritional benefits of Moringa and their ‘Ma-room’ locally known as ‘Makonkom มะคอนกอม’1-3). nutritional comparison has been widely copied It is considered one of the world’s most useful and is now taken on faith by many: “Ounce for trees, as almost all parts of this plant have been ounce M. oleifera leaves contain more vitamin A used for various treatments of ascites, rheumatism than carrots, more vitamin C than oranges, more and venomous bites, and also as cardiac and calcium than milk, more potassium than circulatory stimulants. Several parts of M. oleifera bananas, more iron than spinach, and that the have been reported to show antitumor, antinuclear, protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects4-5). milk and egg”6). It is also used as livestock feed Every part of the Moringa tree can be used as and its twigs are reported to be very palatable to medicine and food commodity which has received ruminants and have appreciable crude protein enormous attention as the ‘natural nutrition of levels18-19). Although, the nutritional information of the tropic’. According to Jed6)and Anwar et al.7), M. oleifera leaves is available in the literature. Moringa trees have been used to combat mal- However, little bit is known about the nutritional nutrition (especially among infants and breast profile of M. oleifera indigenous to Thailand. The feeding woman) in many developing countries, primary objective of the present research was to particularly in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, investigate the nutrients composed in Moringa Hawaii and many parts of Africa. Moringa leaves leaves from different provinces in Thailand and to have been reported to be a valuable source of both determine its potential as a nutritional supplement. ∗To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel. +66 2997 2222 ext. 1421, Fax. +66 2997 2222 ext. 1403 E-mail: [email protected] J Health Res 2010, 24(3): 123-127 124 Original Article MATERIALS AND METHODS: in round bottom flask after solvent removal Plant Samples represents the fat content of the sample. Fresh green leafy vegetable were obtained Crude protein: The crude protein content of from markets in 11 different provinces in Thailand the samples was estimated by macro-Kjeldahl i.e. Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chaiyaphum, Kanchana- method, in which the sample was digested with a buri, Nakhonpathom, Nakhonsawan, Nongbua- known quantity of acid. The digested material was lumphu Nonthaburi, Patumthani, Sakaeo, and distilled after the addition of alkali. The release Sakonnakhon. All these samples were further ammonia was collected in 4% boric acid. The authenticated by comparison with the herbarium resultant boric acid which now contained the specimen (SN 202599 and SN 202600) at the ammonia released was then titrated against 0.1 Princess Sirindhorn Plant Herbarium Bangkok, NHCl. The percentages of nitrogen were converted Thailand. The leaves were removed from the stem to protein by multiplying by 6.25. and damaged ones excluded. They were put in an Crude fiber: Two grams of sample was put ° oven (65 C) to dry, after that they were grounded into 250 mL conical flask and 1.25% Sulfuric acid and kept in air-tight plastic containers at room solution was added. The sample was heated for temperature (30°C) for further analysis. The leaves about 30 min, filtered then washed until traces of from each region were assayed and analyzed acid could not be detected using pH paper. The individually in triplicate. Whatman paper 5B with 125 micrometer pore Chemical analysis of the ingredients and diets size was placed in the Buchner flask. The acid Proximate analysis procedure including the extracted was transferred into 250 mL conical percentage of moisture content, crude protein, flask and 1.25% NaOH solution was added crude fat, ash contents and crude fiber in the subsequently. The sample was heated again for sample were determined by The Association of 30 min, filtered using vacuum filter and washed Official Analytical Chemists methods (AOAC, with water until base was undetected. The whole 1990)20). Likewise, calcium, potassium and iron material was transferred into crucible and dried were determined by the use of atomic absorption for 12 h at 120°C. After that the crucible was spectrophotometer (AAS), Varian SpectrAA 220. placed into muffle oven at 550°C for 12 h and weight of crucible was recorded. Chemical analysis Mineral Analysis Moisture content: The aluminium dish was Mineral content was determined by Association placed inside drying oven for 105°C for 2 h. After of Official Analytical Chemists methods (AOAC, that, the crucible was placed in the desiccators to 1990)20) using the flame system of the atomic allow cooling. The aluminium dish was weighed absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), (Varian and 2 g of the powder was placed in the aluminium SpectrAA 220, USA). Moringa leaves were ashed dish. The sample was dried in drying oven (Memmert at 550°C overnight and the ash was dissolved in 600, Germany) for 3 h at 105°C and then weighed concentrated nitric acid and filtered, diluted to 50 to determine the percentage of dry weight and the mL with deionized water and the absorbance of percentage of moisture content. the samples was read directly on the AAS. Ash: The preparation for ash analysis was the Working standard solutions of calcium (Ca), same as that for moisture content. Two grams of potassium (K) and iron (Fe) were prepared from sample was put into crucible, the weight recorded stock standard solution (1000 ppm), in 2 N HNO3 and placed in muffle oven (Furnace Nabertherm, and absorbance was noted for standard solution Germany) at 550°C for 8 h. of each element and samples using atomic Fat: The fat content was determined by absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The calibration directly extracting the sample with petroleum curves obtained for concentration vs. absorbance. ether in an intermittent Soxhlet extractor (Soxhlet Data were statistically analyzed using fitting of Extractor Gerhadt, Germany) for 4 h. The residue straight line by least square method. A blank J Health Res 2010, 24(3): 123-127 Original Article 125 reading was also taken and necessary corrections Ash content varied between 6.39 g% (Sakonnakhon) were made during the calculation of concentration to 7.99 g% (Bangkok). The high protein and low fat of various elements. characteristic of Moringa leaves has been previously Reagents and apparatus reported by Makkar and Becker21). These results Authentic standards of Ca, K and Fe were of are in agreement with the values reported by Fluka. All the reagents and chemicals used were Oduro et al.16) and Fuglie13). of analytical grade and obtained from E. Merck. The result of nutritionally valuable minerals is Deionized water was used throughout the presented in Table 2. The micronutrient profile, in analysis. terms of calcium, potassium and iron was analyzed. Highest amount of calcium was found Statistical Analysis in the samples of leaves from Chaiyaphum The data are presented as group mean±SD. (2951.13 mg%) while lowest amount of calcium The calculations were performed using Microsoft was found in the samples of leaves from Excel data sheet. The data were analyzed using Nongbualumphu (1510.41 mg%). Potassium levels SPSS window program version 11.0. were the highest in Sakaeo (2054.10 mg%) whereas RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We studied the Kanchanaburi had the lowest level with 1504.41 nutritional content of Moringa leaves which were mg%.