Nutritional composition, bioactive components and antioxidant activity of Moringa stenopetala and Moringa oleifera leaves grown in Gaborone, Botswana

Abstract

Moringa is a multipurpose tree and an important vegetable crop elsewhere. However, it is recently introduced to Botswana and grown in the backyards of households as a shade. Its uses are generally unknown to the community, and it is underutilized despite its huge nutritional and non-food uses. In this study, the nutritional composition, bioactive components and antioxidant activity of Moringa stenopetala (MS) and Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves grown in Gaborone Botswana were determined. Except for moisture content, no signifcant diference (p>0.05) was observed in proximate composition between MS and MO leaves. The moisture content of MS leaves was signifcantly (p<0.05) higher than that of MO leaves. MS leaves had signifcantly (p<0.05) higher Na and K contents than MO leaves. However, MO leaves had signifcantly (p<0.05) higher Zn content than MS leaves. The two Moringa leaves had comparable Fe, Ca and Mg contents. The Vitamin C content of MO leaves was signifcantly (p<0.05) higher than that of MS leaves. However, MS leaves had signifcantly (p<0.05) higher total phenolic, total favonoid contents (mg/100 g) and antioxidant activity (µg/mL) as compared to MO leaves. The Moringa leaves can be used for development of functional foods with improved nutrition and health benefts