Nutritional Content and Elemental and Phytochemical Analyses of Moringa oleifera Grown in Mexico

Abstract EN

Moringa oleifera is a tree distributed in Mexican semiarid and coastal regions.

M.

oleifera is used in practice in the treatment of various diseases and is available without a medical prescription, often in the form of an herbal infusion for everyday use.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition and nutritional values of dried M.

oleifera leaf powder collected from two different regions in Mexico.

All samples of M.

oleifera exhibited moisture levels varying from 3.06 to 3.34%, lipids from 10.21 to 10.31%, fiber from 7.29 to 9.46%, ashes from 10.71 to 11.18%, crude protein from 10.74 to 11.48%, and carbohydrates from 54.61 to 57.61%.

The predominant mineral elements in the leaf powder according to ICP-MS were Ca (2016.5–2620.5 mg/100 g), K (1817–1845 mg/100 g), and Mg (322.5–340.6 mg/100 g).

The HPLC analysis indicated the presence of phenolic acids (gallic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (rutin, luteolin, quercetin, apigenin, and kaempferol).

We concluded that Lombardia M.

oleifera samples could be employed in edible and commercial applications.

Our results showed that the highest mean value of As from the San Pedro samples exceeds the recommended level and may constitute a health hazard to consumers.