Abstract
Moringa oleifera is a plant that grows in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Its leaves are rich of nutrients and bioactive compounds. However, several differences are reported in the literature. In this article we performed a nutritional characterization and a phenolic profiling of M. oleifera leaves grown in Chad, Sahrawi refugee camps, and Haiti. In addition, we investigated the presence of salicylic and ferulic acids, two phenolic acids with pharmacological activity, whose presence in M. oleifera leaves has been scarcely investigated so far. Several differences were observed among the samples. Nevertheless, the leaves were rich in protein, minerals, and β-carotene. Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides were the main phenolic compounds identified in the methanolic extracts. Finally, salicylic and ferulic acids were found in a concentration range of 0.14–0.33 and 6.61–9.69 mg/100 g, respectively. In conclusion, we observed some differences in terms of nutrients and phenolic compounds in M. oleifera leaves grown in different countries. Nevertheless, these leaves are a good and economical source of nutrients for tropical and sub-tropical countries. Furthermore, M. oleifera leaves are a source of flavonoids and phenolic acids, among which salicylic and ferulic acids, and therefore they could be used as nutraceutical and functional ingredients.
Highlights
Moringa oleifera Lam. is a plant belonging to the monogeneric genus Moringa of the Moringaceae family
The Haitian leaves were the richest in fiber. These amounts are similar to the fiber content of M. oleifera leaves collected in Mexico [8], but greater than amounts found in the leaves collected in other countries [5,9]
(44%) [8], minerals, and β-carotene contents, could represent an economical source of all these nutrients. Thanks to their contribution in bioactive compounds, M. oleifera leaves could both compensate the low intake of phenolic compounds due to the scarce fruit and vegetable consumption observed in these populations [41] and be appealed for a potential exploitation in Western countries as nutraceutical and functional ingredients
Summary
Moringa oleifera Lam. is a plant belonging to the monogeneric genus Moringa of the Moringaceae family It is native of the Indian subcontinent, but, thanks to its ability to grow both in humid and hot dry lands and survive in less fertile soils chronically affected by drought, it has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas around the world [1]. Ferulic acid possesses various physiological properties, such as inhibition of tumor promotion, reduction of serum and hepatic lipid profiles (mainly total cholesterol), reduction of the triglycerides level, sustaining a protective action against liver injury [22] Their content in M. oleifera leaves has been little investigated so far. The third, and last, aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of salicylic and ferulic acids in M. oleifera leaves
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