Experimental exploration
of minerals in Moringa oleifera leaves as a potential dietary supplement
Dahiya Sanju and Garg Munish
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(3); 125-128;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/203rjbt1250128; (2025)
Abstract
Moringa oleifera is a botanical marvel, rich in minerals. In plants, minerals are
present in the form of different complexes making it difficult to extract them effectively.
A comparison of the mineral composition of leaves and widely used leaf extracts
has been reported. Experimentation has also been carried out to concentrate the
minerals present in Moringa leaves via incineration. The determination of minerals
was performed on a Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mineral
contents of the extracts prepared were not much greater than those of the leaf powder
indicating that the traditional extraction method is not beneficial for maximum
mineral retention. The ash values and mineral contents of the crude ash of the leaves
are significantly high and can be utilized for human and animal nutrition via dietary
supplementation.
Additionally, no traces of heavy metals are detected in the samples. The investigations
presented here may bridge the gap in our understanding of the extraction of essential
minerals from Moringa leaves. Further research is needed to explore ways for dietary
interventions to utilize the maximum benefits of the rich mineral content of leaves.
