Nutritive evaluation of fresh Moringa oleifera leaves in Chhattisgarh region

Abstract

Moringa oleifera, one of the miracle tree, is widely cultivated in different region throughout the India. Moringa oleifera belongs to moringaceae family and known with various name according to their origin and local dialect. Different parts of Moringa oleifera tree are widely used as source of nutrition, multi-vitamins and many other medicinal compounds. Moringa leaves are one of the edible parts of the tree carrying bundle of nutrients and multivitamins. Also, leaves of Moringa are fast growing and easily harvesting important parts of the tree available in abundant throughout the year. Fresh and healthy Moringa leaves were chosen for the study. Nutritional evaluation of locally available fresh Moringa leaves were carried out by determining the all proximate like moisture content of the leaves, protein, fat, fiber, ash, carbohydrate and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc using standard methods. The fresh Moringa leaves were procured from the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture and Research Station, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.). The proximate estimation and analysis were carried out using methods of Association of Analytical Chemist (A.O.A.C.). Experimental study shows that Moringa leaves possess are rich source of nutrients, minerals and vitamins like vitamins A, B, C and D. From the experiment it was found that the moisture content of fresh Moringa leaves ranges as 72-76% (wb). Also, other proximate and were recorded as crude protein 5-8%, crude fiber 1-2%, ash content 1.5-2.5%, fat content 1.5-2%, carbohydrate 12-16% in per 100g of fresh Moringa leaves. Similarly, minerals were found in following ranges as calcium 390-420mg, Iron 6-8mg, Magnesium 38-42mg, Potassium 350-400mg and Zinc 0.60-0.80mg per 100g of fresh moringa leaves.