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Research Journal of Medicinal Plants

Year: 2014 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 6 | Page No.: 283-289
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Authors

Mahima

A. Rahal

R. Mandil

A.K. Verma

V. Kumar

Keywords

Short Communication

Nutritional Potentials of Moringa olifera Leaves in Uttar Pradesh, India

Mahima, A. Rahal, R. Mandil, A.K. Verma and V. Kumar
Moringa olifera or the horseradish tree, also known as saijhan, sajna, benzolive, drumstick tree, kelor or marango, is a large tree indigenous to the India and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is known as one of the world’s most useful trees. Its leaves are used in Indian foods fresh as salads, cooked or stored as dried powder for long periods with minimum loss of nutrients. Leaves of Moringa olifera are also used for treatment of inflammatory conditions, paralysis, hypertension, athlete’s foot and tinea. It acts as galactogogue, rubefacient, an antidote, antiscorbutic, stimulant and diuretic. The study was undertaken to evaluate the proximate and elemental analysis of the leaves of Moringa olifera. The proximate analyses viz., crude protein, crude fibre, total ash, nitrogen free extract, cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin etc were carried out using standard protocol while mineral analysis was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The proximate analysis of the leaves of Moringa olifera showed that it contained moisture 72.39%, ether extract 2.525%, crude protein 14.125%, crude fibre 23.09%, total ash 9.15%, nitrogen free extract 51.11%, cellulose 11.00%, hemicellulose 10.24% and lignin 2.41%. The mineral analysis of the leaves showed that they contain the following essential minerals; calcium (199.23 ppm), phosphorous (34.81 ppm), iron (111.058 ppm), copper (8.733 ppm), zinc (69.342 ppm) and manganese (72.242 ppm). The study revealed that Moringa olifera leaves to be a potential source of essential nutrients and minerals especially calcium and iron for man as well as animals and could be utilized to improve growth performance and health benefits.
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How to cite this article

Mahima, A. Rahal, R. Mandil, A.K. Verma and V. Kumar, 2014. Nutritional Potentials of Moringa olifera Leaves in Uttar Pradesh, India. Research Journal of Medicinal Plants, 8: 283-289.

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjmp.2014.283.289

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