Effect of different parts (leaf, stem and stalk) and seasons (summer and winter) on the chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera.
Moringa oleifera, Lam. (Moringaceae) is grown world-wide in the tropics and sub-tropics of Asia and Africa and contains abundant various nutrients. This study describes the effect of different parts (leaf, stem and stalk) and seasons (summer and winter) on the chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of M. oleifera grown in Taiwan. The results showed that the winter samples of Moringa had higher ash (except the stalk part), calcium and phenolic compounds (except the leaf part) and stronger antioxidative activity than summer samples. The methanolic extract of Moringa showed strong scavenging effect of DPPH radicals and reducing power. The trend of antioxidative activity as a function of the part of Moringa was: leaf > stem > stalk for samples from both seasons investigated. The Moringa extract showed strong hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and high Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity except the stalk part.
Department of Food, Health and Nutrition Science, Chinese Culture University, 55 Hwa Kang Road, Taipei 11192, Taiwan; E-Mail:  smz2@faculty.pccu.edu.tw.
Ming-Chih
MC
Shih
Cheng-Ming
CM
Chang
Sue-Ming
SM
Kang
Min-Lang
ML
Tsai
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D029588:Moringa oleifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D019800:Phenol / Q000378:metabolism; D010851:Picrates / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013624:Taiwan
D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019800:Phenol; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D002118:Calcium; D000432:Methanol