Plants (Jul 2025)

The “Colors” of Moringa: Biotechnological Approaches

  • Edgar Yebran Villegas-Vazquez,
  • Juan Ramón Padilla-Mendoza,
  • Mayra Susana Carrillo-Pérez,
  • Rocío Gómez-Cansino,
  • Liliana Altamirano-Garcia,
  • Rocío Cruz Muñoz,
  • Alvaro Diaz-Badillo,
  • Israel López-Reyes,
  • Laura Itzel Quintas-Granados

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152338
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 15
p. 2338

Abstract

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Moringa oleifera (MO), a nutritionally and pharmacologically potent species, is emerging as a sustainable candidate for applications across bioenergy, agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and biomedicine. This review explores recent advances in MO-based biotechnologies, highlighting novel extraction methods, green nanotechnology, and clinical trial findings. Although MO’s resilience offers promise for climate-smart agriculture and public health, challenges remain in standardizing cultivation and verifying therapeutic claims. This work underscores MO’s translational potential and the need for integrative, interdisciplinary research. MO is used in advanced materials, like electrospun fibers and biopolymers, showing filtration, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties—important for the biomedical industry and environmental remediation. In textiles, it serves as an eco-friendly alternative for wastewater treatment and yarn sizing. Biotechnological advancements, such as genome sequencing and in vitro culture, enhance traits and metabolite production. MO supports green biotechnology through sustainable agriculture, nanomaterials, and biocomposites. MO shows potential for disease management, immune support, metabolic health, and dental care, but requires further clinical trials for validation. Its resilience is suitable for land restoration and food security in arid areas. AI and deep learning enhance Moringa breeding, allowing for faster, cost-effective development of improved varieties. MO’s diverse applications establish it as a key element for sustainable development in arid regions.

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