ISSN: 2394-1391 Indian Journal of Biology49 Volume 4 Number 1, January - June 2017 Review Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijb.2394.1391.4117.8 “Miracle Tree” Moringa oleifera Its Nutritive Importance and Safety Efficacy Sanchita Pal*, Tanmoy Ghosh**, IndraniI Bhattacharjee*** Abstract Moringa oleifera leaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, and flowers are widely used in more than 80 countries to relieve mineral and vitamin deficiencies. It supports a healthy cardiovascular system, promote normal blood-glucose levels, neutralize free radicals {thereby reducing malignancy}, provide excellent support of the body’s anti-inflammatory mechanisms, enrich anemic blood and support immune system. It also improves eyesight, mental alertness and bone strength. It is one of the richest plant sources of Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K. The vital minerals present in Moringa include Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese and Zinc. It has more than 40 natural anti-oxidants. Moringa is an edible extremely safe plant. It can be easily and cheaply cultivated. Besides, Moringa has a direct impact on agriculture, water, sanitation, biodiversity and environment. Moringa responds to environmental and financial sustainability, realism and results, innovation, biodiversity, education and awareness. A wide variety of polyphenols and phenolic acids as well as flavonoids, glucosinolates, and possibly alkaloids is extracted from its different parts and believed to be responsible for biological activities including antioxidant, tissue protective (liver, kidneys, heart, testes, and lungs), analgesic, antiulcer, antihypertensive, radio protective, and immuno modulatory actions. Standardization of products is an issue before its wide application in human beings. Keywords: Moringa Oleifera; Parts; Benefits; Nutritional Value; Therapeutic Use; Safety Case. rd Introduction Author’s Affiliation: *Student B.Sc. III Year **Lecturer, Department of Nutrition ***Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Dr. Bhupendra Nath Dutta Smriti Mahavidyalaya, Hatgobindapur, Burdwan, West Bengal, India, 713407. Mineral element deficiencies and Protein-energy malnutrition affects mostly children in poor countries Reprint’s Request: Indranil Bhattacharjee, Lecturer, (de Onis et al., 1993; Worldwatch Institute, 2011; Department of Zoology, Dr. Bhupendra Nath Dutta Smriti Mahavidyalaya, Hatgobindapur, Burdwan, West Bengal, Gonzalez 2015), with plant foods being key tools in India, 713407. addressing this situation. In 2011 alone, some 45% of E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] all child deaths involved under nutrition (Black et Received on 14.11.2016, Accepted on 26.11.2016 al., 2013). Global priority is therefore to improve access to healthy food (de Onis et al., 1993). Most of the world’s poor live in the tropics and of these the those animals that can subsist on a wide range of majority live in seasonally dry lowlands (Black et al., food: vegetable and animal” (Seymour 2003). Plants 2008, 2013; Sachs 2001; Food and Agriculture have always been vital for mankind irrespective of Organization of the United Nations, 2015). The the era and area all over the globe since the beginning development of plants not only with high nutrient of life. Edible wild indigenous plants become an levels but also exceptional drought resistance is alternative source for food possessing high potential essential. “Life on this planet has been likened to a of vitamins, minerals and other interesting elements pyramid with an unbelievably wide base and a small particularly during seasonal food storage. Wild fruits apex. Humans are somewhere near the top but not at are also known to have nutritional and medicinal the top because they are omnivores. They are one of properties that could be attributed to their antioxidant Indian©Red Flower Journal Publication of Biology Pvt.Ltd / Volume 4 Number 1 / January - June 2017 50 Sanchita Pal et. al. / “Miracle Tree” Moringa oleifera Its Nutritive Importance and Safety Efficacy effects as well as being used to fortify stable foods analyzed and more still have to be analyzed as particularly for malnourished children (Compaore et initiated in FAO projects lately (FAO, 2008). Johns al., 2011). (2003) and Kuhnlein (2003) suggests that with the Moringa oleifera Lam. tree grows widely in many knowledge of nutritional analysis, a range of foods tropical and subtropical countries. It is grown could be introduced to supplement the diet of a commercially in India, Africa, South and Central household to improve food and nutrition security. America, Mexico, Hawaii, and throughout Asia and Both authors view more research on traditional foods, Southeast Asia. It is well known vegetable in Africa, such as traditional leafy vegetables, and its Arabia, India, Southeast Asia, America and Pakistan contribution in micronutrient contents as a positive (Sengupta and Gupta, 1970). The genus Moringa have step towards health promotion or intervention thirteen species in the world and it is a monogeneric strategies. family belonging to the Moringaceae and having two The review aims to investigate the usage of M. species in India viz. M. concanensis Nimmo ex Dalz. oleifera leaves in the diets of existing users and to and Gibs. and M. oleifera Lam. Its roots, fruits, leaves investigate the possibility of introducing the plant to and flowers been used as vegetables (Siddhuraju and households in need of diversifying their dietary Becker, 2003). The leaves are potential source of intake. Considering all the above facts the present vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, riboflavin, -carotene study is being undertaken to throw light on the and phenolic acid (Nambiar et al., 2005). Its leaves different aspects of this plant in this overview. and oil are a powerful natural antioxidant (Njoku and Adikwu, 1997). Siddhuraju and Becker (2003) observed antioxidant properties in the solvent extract Identifying Characters of Different Parts of M. oleifera of moringa leaves. Seeds, leaves, oil, sap, bark, roots, Moringa is a fast growing tree which can reach 12 and flowers are widely used in traditional medicine. m in height at maturity. The stem of the Moringa tree Leaves have been characterized to contain a desirable is normally straight, but occasionally poorly formed. nutritional balance, containing vitamins, minerals, The tree grows with short straight stems and can reach amino acids, and fatty acids (Moyo et al., 2011; a height of 1.5 to 2 m before it begins branching out Teixeira et al., 2014; Razis et al., 2014). Additionally, (Rajangam et al., 2001). The branches usually grow leaves reported to contain various types of in a disorganized manner and the canopy is umbrella- antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, shaped. The leaves are of a compound leaf form, with flavonoids, phenolics, and carotenoids (Alhakmani three leaflets arranged on either side of the stem in et al., 2013; Vongsak et al., 2014). According to several pairs opposite each other, growing mostly at the authors (Anwar et al., 2007; Mbikay, 2012; Razis et branch tips. The leaves are 20 to 70 cm long with 8 to al., 2014), various preparations of M. oleifera are used 10 pairs of pinnae, each bearing two pairs of opposite for their antiinflammatory, antihypertensive, diuretic, elliptic or obovate leaflets (Rajangam et al., 2001). The antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihyperli- fruit is a green three lobed pod that hangs down from pidemic, antineoplastic, antipyretic, antiulcer, the branches and can be 20 to 60 cm in length. When cardioprotectant, and hepatoprotectant activities. The dry, it opens into 3 parts. Each pod contains between therapeutic potential of M. oleifera leaves in treating 12 and 35 seeds (Rajangam et al., 2001). The seeds are hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia was reviewed by round, with brownish semi–permeable seed hulls. Mbikay (2012). Razis et al., (2014) summarized The hull itself has three wings that run from the top potential health benefits of M. oleifera, focusing on to the bottom at 120 degree intervals. The average their nutritional content as well as antioxidant and weight per seed is 0.3 g. Moringa can be cultivated antimicrobial characteristics. from cuttings and from seeds. Objectives of the Study Nutritive Value of M. oleifera The concept of biodiversity in the form of food based The leaves of the tree contain balanced levels of supplementation as a mechanism to possibly provide essential amino acids as well as high levels of protein, diversity to the diets of people is prominent in calcium, and vitamin A (Sena et al., 1998; Makkar nutrition research on food sources available. It is a and Becker, 1996; Freiberger et al., 1998). concern that the original or cultural knowledge of Consequently, the plant is used extensively for low- people concerning foods and the nutritional value cost nutrition (Thurber and Fahey 2009; Zongo et al., thereof are being lost to diet transition with migration 1991; Fahey 2005). All parts of the tree are used and urbanization (Kuhnlein, 2003). The food medicinally and appear to have potent antioxidant, compositions of a diverse range of foods have been cancer chemo preventive, and gluco regulatory Indian Journal of Biology / Volume 4 Number 1 / January - June 2017 Sanchita Pal et. al. / “Miracle Tree” Moringa oleifera Its Nutritive Importance and Safety Efficacy 51 activity (Fahey 2005; Bennett et al., 2003; Tumer et al., per 100 g edible portion (FAO, 2008). 2015; Siddhuraju and Becker, 2003). The seeds yield Fuglie (2001) recommends that 25 g of Moringa leaf high-oleic oil used in cooking, cosmetics, and as a powder equals one rounded tablespoonful of Moringa machinery lubricant (Tsaknis et al., 1999; Anwar and leaf powder which when added to infants’ food three Bhanger, 2003). After oil extraction, the remaining times per day would provide roughly the RDA with seed cake can be used to clarify turbid water or to calcium and vitamin A 1.5 mg or 1500 g exceeding increase protein in animal feed or crop fertilizer the RDA by 310%. The vitamin A intake for the group (Folkard and Sutherland, 2002; Sarwatt et al., 2002; children 1-3 years in South Africa was less than one Baptista et al., 2015).