Evaluation of Proximate, Minerals, Vitamins and Phytochemical Composition of Moringa oleifera Lam. Cultivated in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

Moringa oleifera is a plant that is in high demand for its nutritional and medicinal values. This study was aimed at assessing the nutritional and phytochemical constituents of the leaf of Moringa oleifera cultivated in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Samples of leaf of M. oleifera were obtained from six different moringa cultivating locations in Ado Ekiti. The proximate analysis of dried leaf of M. oleifera showed that it is highly rich in protein (28.00±0.33%) and metabolizable energy (2625.25±79.30 Kcal/Kg), with appreciable levels of fat (3.88%), ash (9.88%), crude fibre (12.57%) and carbohydrate (37.87%). The leaf was found to be rich in minerals and vitamins. It contained high concentrations of Zn , Mg , Ca , K and PO , respectively, 64.17±2.04, 2+ 2+ 2+ + 3- 4 643.33±6.06, 82.50±6.89, 430.00±8.37 and 50.43±2.05mg/100g. Low, but appreciable levels of Fe , ascorbic 2+ acid, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin were equally obtained. Phytochemical analysis revealed high concentrations of alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins; 446.67±12.11, 846.67±11.07 and 844.17±27.82mg/100g respectively. The concentrations of phytates and tannin were high, but with low oxalate content. No cyanogenic glycoside was detected. A satisfactory oxygen radical absorption capacity level of 37.23% and very low anti-protease activity (0.13±0.06mg/100g) were obtained. The rich array of results obtained in this study displays that M. oleifera is a multipurpose plant that could contribute immensely towards meeting both human and livestock nutritional requirement.