title: Leaf Protein and Mineral Concentrations across the "Miracle Tree" Genus Moringa.
abstract: The moringa tree Moringa oleifera is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree cultivated across the lowland dry tropics worldwide for its nutritious leaves. Despite its nutritious reputation, there has been no systematic survey of the variation in leaf nutritional quality across M. oleifera grown worldwide, or of the other species of the genus. To guide informed use of moringa, we surveyed protein, macro-, and micro- nutrients across 67 common garden samples of 12 Moringa taxa, including 23 samples of M. oleifera. Moringa oleifera, M. concanensis, M. stenopetala, an M. concanensis X oleifera hybrid, and M. longituba were highest in protein, with M. ruspoliana having the highest calcium levels. A protein-dry leaf mass tradeoff may preclude certain breeding possibilities, e.g. maximally high protein with large leaflets. These findings identify clear priorities and limitations for improved moringa varieties with traits such as high protein, calcium, or ease of preparation.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, Distrito Federal, Mexico.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3715-4567
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, New York, United States of America.|The Graduate School and University Center-City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Renuka P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Sankaran
authors.affiliation: Cullman Chemoprotection Center, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jed W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fahey
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grusak
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Laboratory, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Odee
authors.affiliation: Department of Forestry, Range, and Wildlife Management, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Wasif
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nouman
mesh_terms: D002412:Cations / Q000032:analysis; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D029587:Moringa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D009753:Nutritive Value; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002412:Cations; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014131:Trace Elements