Nutrient and antinutrient contents in raw and cooked young leaves and immature pods of Moringa oleifera, Lam

Nutrient and antinutrient contents in raw and cooked young leaves and immature pods of Moringa oleifera, Lam

2003

E08180

The nutrient composition and non-nutrient contents of raw and cooked M. oleifera leaves and immature pods were analysed. Cooking caused significant reductions (p<=0.05) in the contents of crude protein, crude fibre, ether extracts, ash, ascorbic acid, and beta -carotene in the leaves and pods. Significant reductions (p<=0.05) also were observed in Ca, Mg, Zn, P, Na, Cu, and K, except for Fe in the leaves after cooking. Similar reductions were also observed in Mg, Fe, Cu, P, Na, and K, except in Ca and Zn in the cooked pods. No significant reductions (p>=0.05) were observed in total reducing sugars, phytates, and trypsin inhibitor substances in both leaves and pods after cooking. On the other hand, cooking increased protein digestibility by 20.7 and 7.8% in leaves and pods, respectively. A similar increase also was observed in total carbohydrates after cooking leaves and pods. Overall, this study has established that young leaves and immature pods of M. oleifera are a good source of both micro- and macronutrients and have low levels of non-nutrients. Although cooking by boiling in water reduced the nutrients to some extent, considerable amounts are retained and as such servings of young leaves and immature pods, as a vegetable relish, could greatly improve the nutritional status of those at risk of malnutrition.

42(6):399-411, ECOLOGY OF FOOD & NUTRITION

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