Distribution of antioxidants in different parts of Moringa oleifera seedlings
The Moringa oleifera tree is known as a miracle plant, because every part of the plant is edible and rich in antioxidants.
However, there is little information on these phytochemicals' distribution in the plant.
This study investigated the levels of nutritional compounds in different parts of the plant.
Seedlings were grown in a seedbed for 3 months under tunnel conditions.
Pooled plant parts were collected for analysis.
The results showed that there were significant differences in sugar concentration and anti-oxidant distribution in different parts of Moringa oleifera seedlings.
The highest antioxidant concentration was recorded as follows: in leaves - total antioxidant (TAO) (1.8 mg g‑1), ascorbic acid (AsA) (2.0 mg g‑1), and total phenols (TP) (64.1 µg g‑1); in stems - TAO (1.2 mg g‑1); in roots - carotenoids (29.7 mg g‑1), TP (57.3 µg g‑1); in seeds - α-tocopherol (28.57 µg g‑1). Sucrose was the dominant carbohydrate produced in different parts of the seedling, with the exception of glucose in plant roots.
Raffinose was detected only in leaves, stems and roots of the seedlings.
The diverse distribution of different levels of sugars and antioxidants in different parts of Moringa oleifera seedlings contributes to their nutritional qualities and eventually qualifies the Moringa oleifera plant as a suitable underutilized food crop.
Mohammed, F., Tesfay, S.Z., Modi, A.T., Mabhaudhi, T. and Chimonyo, V.G.P. (2021). Distribution of antioxidants in different parts of Moringa oleifera seedlings. Acta Hortic. 1306, 157-162
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1306.19
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1306.19
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1306.19
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1306.19
carbohydrates, phenols, carotenoids
English