Characterization of Phytochemical and Nutrient Compounds from the Leaves and Seeds of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> and <i>Moringa peregrina</i>

Abstract

Moringa oleifera and M. peregrina are robust and fast-growing trees. These trees are considered some of the most highly valued trees worldwide because of their properties and uses. This study aimed to investigate and determine the content of phytochemical and nutrient compounds in the fresh leaves and the mature seeds of both M. oleifera and M. peregrina. The experimental data analysis showed that all four extracts were rich in proximate minerals, fatty acids (FA), and un-saponified and polyphenolic components. The total percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids compounds obtained from the leaves and seeds of M. oleifera and M. peregrina were (45.02 and 54.93%), (10.80 and 89.19%), (37.13 and 62.8%), and (11.95 and 88.03%), respectively. The major polyphenols compositions were identified as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, methyl gallate, and coffeic acid. The outcomes of the present study indicate that the leaves and seeds of Egyptian Moringa (M. oleifera and M. peregrina) contain various phytochemical and nutrient compounds, which can provide several health advantages and play an important role in the metabolism of the human body, especially in diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart disease, obesity, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.

Keywords

• Egyptian moringa
• phytochemical profiling
• HPLC and GC-MS analysis
• polyphenol
• fatty acid (FA) analysis