Tropentag, September 11 - 13, 2024, Vienna "Explore opportunities... for managing natural resources and a better life for all"

Nutritional composition and antinutritive compounds in Moringa oleifera leaf accessions from Kenya, Tanzania and Mali

¹Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Fac. of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech Republic
²The Center for International Forestry Res. and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Kenya

Abstract

Inadequate nutrition is one of the leading causes of poor health globally, affecting mainly sub-Saharan Africa, which is persistently faced with malnutrition and starvation. Moringa oleifera is a nutrient-dense food with the potential to attenuate the aforementioned challenges. This study, therefore, aimed to compare the nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of its leaves across different agroecological zones in Kenya, Tanzania, and Mali. The leaf samples were collected and dried separately at 55 ºC for 24 hours. The homogenized powder was analysed for proximate composition following the AOAC standard methods, while the antinutritive compounds, namely cyanogenic glycosides, carotenoids, and phytates, were quantitatively analysed using the HPLC-UV method. The analysed data revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences in nutritional and antinutrient content across the geographical areas. The highest protein content was observed in Mtongwe (30.24. ± 0.24%) and the lowest in Sikaso (19.07 ± 0.44%). The carbohydrate content was highest in Arusha (60.56 ± 0.48%) and lowest in Mtongwe (40.90 ± 0.17%). Matsangoni had the highest fibre content (11.76 ± 0.26%) while Arusha had the lowest (9.47 ± 0.42%). Cyanogenic glycoside (g/100g) was highest (0.0164± 0.001) and lowest (0.0059 ± 0.001) in Kitui and Malindi, respectively. The highest phytate content (3.46 ± 0.06 g/kg) was found in Mtongwe and the lowest in Kounikoro (1.51 ± 0.11 g/kg). Matsangoni recorded the highest content of carotenoids (mg/100g) which was (10.44 ± 1.10) compared with Kounikoro, which had the lowest (6.38 ± 0.48). It was evident that, while the leaves are well endowed with nutritional attributes and smaller amounts of anti-nutrients, variations in the quantity of the anti-nutrients could indicate genetic differences that could be explored.

Keywords: Africa, anti-nutrients, Moringa, phytonutrients, supplemental food

Contact Address: Boniface Mwami, Czech University of Life Sciences, Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Kamycka 129165 00, Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail: mwamiftz.czu.cz