Determination of Chemical Composition and Nutritional Values of Moringa oleifera Leaves

Abstract

The study on chemical composition and nutritional values of Moringa oleifera leaves has been carried out by analysing samples of this plant leaves collected from three different sectors of Ouagadougou. The analysis of nutrients contents including elemental has been done using recommended method of analysis. The result of analysis shows that the percentages (%) of proteins, moisture, fat, carbohydrate of the leaves are respectively 11.9; 73.9; 1.1 and 10.6% for the cool matter. For the dry matter, the contents in proteins, moisture, fat and carbohydrate are respectively 27.2; 5.9; 17.1 and 38.6%. The result of the mineral composition expressed in mg for 100 g of matters are 847.1; 151.3; 549.6; 17.5; 1.3 and 111.5 in the cool matter respectively for the Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc and Phosphor. The contents of same minerals analyzed for the dry matter are respectively 2098.1; 406.0; 1922.0; 28.3; 5.4 and 351.1. The result showed a satisfactory composition and a significant variability between the nutrients contents of different sectors. This plant can be valorized for a balanced nutrition of populations.

Full text

Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 10 (3): 264-268, 2011
ISSN 1680-5194
© Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2011
Corresponding Author: Charles Windépagnagdé Yaméogo, Research Center in Biological, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University
of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 03 BP 7131 Ouagadougou 03
264
Determination of Chemical Composition and Nutritional
Values of Moringa oleifera Leaves
Charles Windépagnagdé Yaméogo, Marcel Daba Bengaly, Aly Savadogo,
Philippe Augustin Nikiema and Sabadénédyo Alfred Traore
Research Center in Biological, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Ouagadougou,
03 BP 7131 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso,
Abstract: The study on chemical composition and nutritional values of Moringa oleifera leaves has been
carried out by analysing samples of this plant leaves collected from three different sectors of Ouagadougou.
The analysis of nutrients contents including elemental has been done using recommended method of
analysis. The result of analysis shows that the percentages (%) of proteins, moisture, fat, carbohydrate of
the leaves are respectively 11.9; 73.9; 1.1 and 10.6% for the cool matter. For the dry matter, the contents in
proteins, moisture, fat and carbohydrate are respectively 27.2; 5.9; 17.1 and 38.6%. The result of the mineral
composition expressed in mg for 100 g of matters are 847.1; 151.3; 549.6; 17.5; 1.3 and 111.5 in the cool
matter respectively for the Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc and Phosphor. The contents of same
minerals analyzed for the dry matter are respectively 2098.1; 406.0; 1922.0; 28.3; 5.4 and 351.1. The result
showed a satisfactory composition and a significant variability between the nutrients contents of different
sectors. This plant can be valorized for a balanced nutrition of populations.
Key words: Moringa oleifera, leaves, nutritional values
INTRODUCTION
The Moringaceae is a single-genus family with 12 to 14
known Species (Lalas and Tsaknis, 2002). Almost all
species of Moringa come from India and where they
have been introduced in several countries of the tropics
(Lalas and Tsaknis, 2002; Anwar and Banger, 2003).
Among these species, the Moringa oleifera (Lam) is the
most known and used (Lalas and Tsaknis, 2002). It is
also met in Africa, in Arabia, in the Southeast of Asia, the
Pacific, the Caribbean islands and in South America
(Morton, 1991; Somali et al., 1984).
This plant possesses multiple virtues. Indeed, the
Moringa is supposed to have multiple medicinal
qualities. Thus, the peels, the roots, the leaves, the
flowers of M. oleifera tree are used in the traditional
medicine for the treatment of the diarrhoea and
hypertension and the folk remedies in a lot of countries
(Anwar et al., 2007). The seeds of Moringa are the best
normal coagulants, possess antimicrobial, anti-
oxydantes properties and are used efficiently for the
treatment and the purification of the greatly troubled
water (Anwar et al., 2007; Ndabigengeser and Narasiah,
1998). The seeds also contain the oil which has high
nutritional quality and can be used in the kitchen (Lalas
and Tsaknis, 2002; Anwar and Banger, 2003). The
leaves of M. oleifera can be a food available all yearMATERIALS AND METHODS
round and to have high quality for the men. The youngSampling: For the biochemical composition analysis,
leaves are edible and are commonly consumed afterthe samples of cool leaves have been appropriated on
cooking like spinach, or prepared in soup or in salad.
This plant has a great utility on the food plan for the
peoples in Northeast of Nigeria region (Lockett et al.,
2000). In other countries as Senegal, the leaves of M.
oleifera are consumed like a sauce named “Mbuun”,
accompanying with the couscous prepared with cereals
composed by millet, corns or rice. The “Mbeulekhé” is a
meal prepared with rice and sauce. Ouagadougou
where the study has been done is the capital of Burkina
Faso, a country of West Africa with a tropical climate. In
Burkina Faso, we meets only the Moringa oleifera
species and its leaves are used for “tô” (dough of
cereals flour submitted to the heat) and rice sauce
preparation. In some households, the leaves are cooked
with the water and eat after addition of the peanut oil, salt
and other additives, permitting the seasoning. In Burkina
Faso, these leaves are fluently consumed in the
traditional societies. A valorization of M. oleifera leaves
by a quantitative and qualitative production would be very
important to satisfy the food and nutritional needs of the
population of Burkina Faso.
The objective of this study is to study the nutritional
values and evaluate Moringa oleifera leaves nutrients
contents variability.

Pak. J. Nutr., 10 (3): 264-268, 2011
265
Moringa oleifera plants in three different sectors (sectorDetermination of total sugars content: Total sugars
4, sector 13 and sector 26) of Ouagadougou. These cool
samples have been preserved at +4 C before analysis.
o
A part of the cool leaves appropriated has been dried to
the laboratory temperature during fourteen (14) days and
then, reduced in powder with a grinder (mark NIMA,
model NO: BL - 888A, Japan). The powder has been
sifted by a sifter with the meshes 0.5 millimeter (mm) of
diameter and then, kept in plastic sachets to the
laboratory temperature (25 C). The composition
o
analyzes have been done in triplicate with the cool and
dry sample.
Macronutrients composition characterization: The
samples of cool and dried leaves of M. oleifera have
been analyzed for the following constituent: water,
proteins, lipids, crude fibers, total sugars and ashes.
The Analyses have been done in triplicate.
Determination of water content: The content in water
has been determined by the method (AOCS, 1990). A
mass, 5 grams (g) of samples has been weighed and
placed in crucibles. The crucibles have been placed in
drying oven to 105 C until getting a constant mass.
o
Determination of ashes content: The ashes content
have been determined by the method (AOCS, 1990). In
three crucibles, 2 g of samples has been placed. The
samples have been submitted to mineralize in the oven
to 550C during 3 h. After this time, the crucibles have
o
been withdrawn, cooled to the dessicator during 30 min
before being weighed. It has been put back at the oven
during one hour and has been weighed after cooling to
the dessicator. The operation has been restarted until
obtaining a constant weight.
Determination of proteins content: The content in
proteins has been determined by the method of
Kjeldahl (AOCS, 1990). The organic nitrogen of the
sample (0.2 g) has been transformed in mineral
nitrogen (NH4)2SO4 by the oxidizing action of the
sulphuric acid concentrated in presence of a catalyst.
The content in total proteins has been calculated by
multiplication of nitrogen quantity with a conversion
factor (6.25).
Determination of crude fibers content: The crude fibers
content has been estimated by insoluble formic method
(Deymie et al., 1981). We put 5 g of samples in a vial
containing 100 ml of formic acid 80% (V/V). The mixture
has been placed in the boiling water during 75 min. After
cooling, the product of the digestion has been filtered
and the insoluble phase has been recovered in a
crucible, dried to 103 C and weighed (w1). After
o
incineration in an oven, the weight of the ashes has
been determined (w2). The crude fibers content hasheated with temperatures varying between 100-340 C.
been determined after calculation of the difference of
these two weights.
content has been estimated according Tollier and Robin
method (1979). A quantity of sample (0.1 g) has been
weighed and introduced in three test-tube with 10 ml of
NaOH; 0.1 N. The mixture has been placed in the boiling
water during 30 min, after cooling the mixture has been
decanted in a tube. Then, 0.01 ml of the mixture has
been appropriated in a tube and adds 0.99 ml of distilled
water, 2 ml of orcinol and 7 ml of H2SO4 60%. The
mixture has been homogenized and has been placed
again in hot water (80 C) during 20 min. Then, the tubes
o
have been put to the obscurity after cooling during 45
min. The reading of the optic density has been done to
510 nanometer. A curve of standardization has been
achieved using glucose 0.5 mg/ml as reference. The
range of concentration in glucose varying between 5 and
50 µg/ml. The curve permitted to determine the
concentration in total sugars of samples.
Determination of lipids content: The lipids content has
been determined according to the soxlhet method
extraction using the hexane like solvent (AOCS, 1990). A
quantity of samples (5 g) has been weighed and placed
in three extraction cartridges. The cartridges have been
plugged with cotton and have been placed in the soxhlet.
Cleans and dry extraction balls have been weighed
before pouring 250 ml of hexane. The extraction has
been done during 5 h. After this time, the solvent has
been separated by evaporation in the ROTAVAPOR. The
weight of lipids has been gotten by difference between
the final weight and the initial weight of balls.
Determination of energizing values: The energizing
values of proteins, total sugars and lipids have been
determined by Merrill and Watt (1955) coefficients
adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization in
1970. The energizing value of samples have been gotten
by the following relation: P x 4 Kcal + G x 4 Kilocalorie
(Kcal) + L x 9 Kcal = X Kcal/100 g, with P = percentage of
proteins, G = percentage of sugars, L = percentage of
lipids, X = energizing values.
Micronutrients composition characterization
Phosphor (P), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Magnesium
(Mg) and Calcium (Ca) determination: The content of
these minerals in M. oleifera leaves has been
determined after the sample mineralization by humid
voice according to Houba et al. method (1989). In three
tubes, 0.5 g of samples ground to 0.5 mm has been
weighed and 5 ml of the extraction solution (sulphuric
acid - selenium - salicylic acid: 7.2%) have been added
in each tube. A Blanc solution has been prepared with 5
ml of the extraction solution. The samples have been let
to rest during 2 h at least. After this time, they have been
o
The mixture gotten after heating has been cooled to the
ambient temperature during 24 h and then, has been

Pak. J. Nutr., 10 (3): 264-268, 2011
266
diluted to 2/3 of tubes, agitated, cooling again and
completed to 75 ml with the distilled water. After agitation
and decanting, a quantity of the solution has been used
for:
CThe dosage of the total phosphor with the auto-
sensor (model SKALAR 1000) to 880 nm using the
ammonium molybdate as indicator.
CThe dosage of Magnesium and Calcium after
dilution in the Lanthane [(La (NO3)3 6H2O)]
respectively to 285.2 nm and 422.7 nm with an
atomic absorption spectrophotometer (model
PERKIN ELMER A100).
CThe dosage of Sodium and Potassium with a flame
photometer (model CORNING 400)
Ranges of standards solutions have been prepared for
the dosage of micronutrients. These ranges are given
like follows:
CPhosphor (P): a solution (300 ppm) of potassium
hydrogenophosphate (K2HPO4) permitted to achieve
a range of concentration varying between 3 and 15
ppm.
CPotassium (K) and Sodium (Na): a standard
solution of Sodium-potassium (100 ppm) permitted
to prepare a range concentration between 0 and 10
ppm.
CMagnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca): standards
solutions of Magnesium (1000 ppm) and Calcium
(1000 ppm) permitted to prepare concentrations
ranges varying between 5 and 30 ppm for the
Calcium, 0.5 and 3 ppm for Magnesium.
Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) Determination: In three tubes, 0.5
g of samples ground to 0.5 mm has been weighed and
5 ml of the extraction solution: Nitric acid (HNO3; 65%),
sulphuric acid (H2SO4; 96%) and perchloric acid (HClO4
70%) have been added in each tube. A Blanc solution
has been prepared with 5 ml of the extraction solution.
The samples have been let to rest during 2 h at least.
After this time, they have been heated with temperatures
varying between 75-240 C. The mixture gotten after
o
heating has been cooled to the ambient temperature
during 24 h and then, has been diluted to 2/3 of tubes,
agitated, cooling again and completed to 75 ml with the
distilled water. After agitation and decanting, a quantity
of the solution has been used for analyze the Iron (Fe)
and Zinc (Zn) in atomic absorption, respectively to 219.9
nm and 248.3 nm. A concentration range of standard
solution has been 6 to 36 ppm for the Iron (Fe) and 1 to
6 ppm for the Zinc (Zn).
Statistical analysis: The averages and Standards
Deviations (SD) calculation have been done with the
software EXCEL 2007. The test of Tukey with the
software XLSTAT pro 7.1 has been used to do the
comparison between the averages. The test has been
found meaningful at the doorstep of 5%.
RESULTS
The analysis of M. oleifera leaves chemical composition
and nutritional values showed a high concentration in
water of cool leaves appropriated in the three sectors
(Table 1). These concentrations in water have been
74.5; 71.6 and 73.7% respectively for the samples of
Sector 4, Sector 13 and sector 26. Non significant
differences have been observed between the contents in
water for the samples of Sectors 4 and 13 (p = 0.05).
However, a significant difference has been observed
between the content in water for the sample of sectors
13 and 26 (p = 0.01). An average content in water: 73.9%
has been observed for the three samples (Table 3).
The concentrations in proteins have been respectively
13.6; 10.3 and 9.1% respectively for the cool samples of
Sector 4; Sector 13 and Sector 26. Significant difference
have been observed between the contents in proteins for
the three samples (p = 0.004). The average
concentration in proteins for the three cool samples has
been 11.9% (Table 3).
The concentrations observed for total sugars have been
7.3; 11.3 and 11.3% respectively for the samples of
Sector 4; Sector 13 and sector 26. Significant difference
have been observed between the concentration in total
sugars of sector 4 and 13 (p = 0.004), Sector 4 and 26 (p
= 0.004). The average concentration in total sugars for
the cool samples has been 10.6% (Table 3).
For the lipids, their contents have been found in very
weak concentrations comparatively for the proteins and
total sugars. Thus, the concentrations have been 1.2; 1.7
and 1% respectively for the cool samples of Sector 4,
Sector 13 and Sector 26. A significant difference has
been observed between the contents in lipids of the
three samples (p = 0.002). The average concentration in
lipids for the three samples has been 1.1%.
The contents in crude fibers and in ashes observed for
the three cool samples have been determined. Thus, the
average contents have been respectively 2.3 and 3.4%
for the contents in ashes and crude fibers. An
acceptable average energizing value (86.6 Kcal/100 g)
has been observed for the three cool samples.
For the dried leaves, the average contents in proteins,
lipids, total sugars, ashes and crude fibers have been
respectively 27.2; 17.1; 38.6; 11.1 and 19.4% (Table 3).
A high average energizing value (339.7 Kcal/100 g) has
been observed for the dried leaves.
Table 1: Contents in g/100 g of cool leaves (average ± Standard
Deviation)
Components Sector 4 Sector 13 Sector 26
Water 74.5±0.1 71.6±0.7 73.7±0.7
Proteins 13.6±0.1 10.3±0.2 9.1±0.1
Lipids 1.2±0.0 1.7±0.0 1.0±0.0
Crude fibers 3.3±0.0 4.5±0.0 4.0±0.2
Ashes 3.0±0.0 2.2±0.1 1.8±0.0
Total sugars 7.3±0.0 11.3±0.1 11.3±0.0
Energy (Kcal) 82.1 95.4 86.1

Pak. J. Nutr., 10 (3): 264-268, 2011
267
Table 2: Contents in g/100 g of dried leaves (average ± StandardTable 4: Contents in mg/100 g of cool leaves (average ±
Deviation)
Components Sector 4 Sector 13 Sector 26
Water 4.8±0.0 4.9±0.7 8.1±0.1
Proteins 26.2±0.2 27.6±0.9 27.6±0.3
Lipids 16.9±0.9 21.6±0.3 12.5±0.8
Crude fibers 15.7±0.7 22.3±0.3 20.0±0.9
Ashes 16.0±0.2 9.1±0.1 8.2±0.1
Total sugars 35.7±0.0 36.6±0.0 43.3±0.1
Energy (Kcal) 337.8 362.4 317.0
Table 3: Contents in g/100 g of samples (average ± Standard
Deviation)
Components Cool leaves Dried leaves
Water 73.9±1.8 5.9±1.8
Proteins 11.9±2.1 27.2±0.8
Lipids 1.1±0.5 17.1±4.5
Crude fibers 3.4±1.2 19.4±3.3
Ashes 2.3±0.5 11.1±4.3
Total sugars 10.6±2.3 38.6±4.1
Energy (Kcal) 86.6±6.1 339.1±22.7
The analysis of micronutrients composition in M. oleifera
leaves showed remarkable concentrations in minerals
and trace elements (Table 4, 5 and 6). The results
showed high concentrations in Ca, K, Mg and P in the
cool leaves of the three Sectors. The content in Na has
been found in weak concentration among the minerals
determined. The concentrations in trace elements (Fe
and Zn) have been found acceptable. The Ca has been
found in very high concentration, followed by K, Mg and
P for the three cool samples (Table 4). The content in Ca
has been 1460.3; 790 and 463mg in 100g of cool matter
respectively for the samples of Sector 4, Sector 13 and
sector 26 (Table 4). The content in K has been 308.6;
690 and 600mg in 100g of cool matter respectively for
the samples of Sector 4, Sector 13 and sector 26 (Table
4). The contents in P, Mg also found in remarkable
concentrations have been indicated in the Table 4. The
concentration in Fe of cool samples has been 31.1;
17.9; 10mg in 100g respectively for the samples of
sector 4, sector 13 and sector 26. The average
concentration in Zn has been 2.8; 1.5; 0.2mg in 100g of
cool matter respectively for the samples of sector 4,
sector 13 and sector 26. The average contents found for
the three cool samples have been 847; 549.6; 151.3;
111.5; 17.5 and 1.3mg for 100g of cool matter
respectively for the Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe and Zn (Table 6).
The average contents in Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe and Zn found in
the dry matter have been respectively 2098.1; 1922; 406;
28.3 and 5.4mg for 100g of dry matter (Table 6). A
comparative analysis showed a significant variation
between the contents in micronutrients of the three
sectors (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION
The analysis of nutritional values showed satisfactory
contents in nutrients for M. oleifera leaves. The contents
Standard Deviation)
Components Sector 4 Sector 13 Sector 26
Calcium (Ca) 1460.3±56.1 790.0±9.5 463.0±9.1
Magnesium (Mg) 267.0±9.16 155.0±3.0 40.3±4.6
Potassium (K) 308.6±6.5 690.0±2.6 600.0±6.2
Sodium (Na) 20.3±0.5 2.7±0.0 1.2±0.0
Iron (Fe) 31.1±4.2 17.9±0.0 10.0±0.0
Zinc (Zn) 2.8±0.2 1.5±0.0 0.2±0.0
Phosphor (P) 56.0±0.0 152.0±4.5 108.0±4.3
Table 5: Contents in mg/100 g of dried leaves (average ±
Standard Deviation)
Components Sector 4 Sector 13 Sector 26
Calcium (Ca) 3512.6±335.7 2100.0±2.0 682.3±2.0
Magnesium (Mg) 717.0±12.1 313.0±0.0 188.0±3.4
Potassium (K) 1296.0±50 2250.0±2.6 2220.0±6.2
Sodium (Na) 78.3±4.0 5.2±0.0 3.0±0.0
Iron (Fe) 52.1±2.8 19.8±0.0 12.9±0.0
Zinc (Zn) 10.9±0.2 2.2±0.0 0.8±0.0
Phosphor (P) 252.0±0.00 368.3±3.0 433.0±8.0
Table 6: Contents in mg/100 g of samples (average ± Standard
Deviation)
Components Cool leaves Dried leaves
Calcium (Ca) 847.1±430.6 2098.1±1414.8
Magnesium (Mg) 151.3±92.7 406.0 ±225.7
Potassium (K) 549.6±199.3 1922.0±542.3
Sodium (Na) ND ND
Iron (Fe) 17.5±9.7 28.3±20.8
Zinc (Zn) 1.3±1.1 5.4±4.6
Phosphor (P) 111.5±41.1 351.1±91.7
ND: Non Determined
in cool leaves have been found lowed than the contents
in dried leaves. This result can explain by a reduction of
water contents in the samples.
An analysis of M. oleifera dried leaves chemical
composition showed proteins (27.2%) and lipids
(17.1%) contents lower than the contents observed in
other part as the seeds. Thus, the seeds of M. oleifera
contents found by Anwar and Muhammad (2005) in
Faisalabad have been 34% and 33.23% respectively for
the proteins and lipids. However, the crude fibers
(19.4%) and ashes (11.1%) contents in M. oleifera dried
leaves of our study has been found superior compared
to the contents found by Anwar and Muhammad (2005)
for the crude fibers (7.5%) and the ashes (7%) in the M.
oleifera seeds.
A content in Iron (17.2 mg/100 g) of M. oleifera leaves of
this study has been found higher than the contents in
other cool vegetables given by the Food and Agriculture
Organization in 2002: Amaranthus sp. (8.9 mg/100g),
Manihot esculenta (7.6 mg/100g), Ipomoea batatas (8.2
mg/100 g). The contents in Ca observed in our study for
the dried leaves of M. oleifera have been found lower
than the Ca contents observed in some dried leaves
fluently consumed in Africa and have been found by
Ibsatou et al. (2001). It is the sorrel of Guinea leaves

Pak. J. Nutr., 10 (3): 264-268, 2011
268
(3630 mg/100 g), amaranth leaves (3590 mg/100 g),Deymie, B., J.L. Mutton and D. Simon, 1981. Techniques
gumbo leaves (2850 mg/100 g), onion leaves (2540
mg/100 g) and baobab leaves (2240 mg/100 g).
The three sectors where the samples have been
appropriate are localized in the same city of
Ouagadougou, under the same climatic factors.
Therefore, the variability of different contents in
macronutrients and micronutrients between the
samples observed can be explained by a difference of
the soil composition that can influence the soil nutrients
absorption by the plants. Indeed, the soil factors acts on
the mineral composition and can modify the soil
composition and the nutritional properties, or they acts
on the plants absorption (Heller et al., 1998).
The result of this study showed that the M. oleifera is an
important plant with the leaves which have high
concentration in energies, nutrients (proteins, Ca, K, Mg,
P, Fe and Zn). The leaves have nutritional potentialities
showing their importance in the rural and urban
population’s nutrition. A variability of nutrients
composition for the M. oleifera leaves appropriated on
three different sectors of the same city and under the
same climate has been highlighted.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Our thanks are addressed particularly:
CTo Dr Dayéri DIANOU for his aid in the analysis of
our samples;
CTo M. Moussa SAWADOGO, Director of Soil Analysis
Laboratory in National Bureau of Soil, which
enabled us to done some analysis in their
laboratory.
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