Preprint
Article

Diversity in the Nutritional Attributes of Some Moringa oleifera Lam. Cultivars from Different Geographical Origins

Altmetrics

Downloads

189

Views

75

Comments

0

A peer-reviewed article of this preprint also exists.

This version is not peer-reviewed

Submitted:

17 April 2023

Posted:

18 April 2023

Read the latest preprint version here

Alerts
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the variations in the nutritional attributes of thirteen Moringa oleifera cultivars. Leaves from six-month-old plants were harvested and tested for various nutritional attributes. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in the carbohydrates, energy, some of the sugars and fibre amongst the cultivars. The levels of moisture in the cultivars ranged from 7.10% to 8.20%. Additionally, there were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences across the cultivars in microelements studied except for zinc (Zn). These data revealed that plants from different geographical provenances differed in their adapting to varied environments. In general, under the same cultivation, management and environmental conditions, the main reasons for these differences occurred in cultivars could be associated with the genetic background of each M. oleifera germplasm. However, the study cautions on the differences of nutritional properties, as some of the cultivars have been reported not to be pharmacological potent.
Keywords: 
Subject: Biology and Life Sciences  -   Food Science and Technology

1. Introduction

Moringa oleifera Lam. is listed in the top 10% out of 500,000 plant species gaining popularity due to its broad spectrum of both nutritional and phytochemical profiles [1,2]. Moringa oleifera is the most utilised and cultivated species of the Moringaceae family (order Brassicales) because of its ability to grow in a wide range of conditions and the medico-nutritional properties [3]. Due to its widespread applications, many countries in Africa, South America, and Asia have intensified cultivation programmes [4]. In Africa, for example, hope has been placed on the use of M. oleifera in alleviating malnutrition, unemployment and has been coined to change the lives of many [5]. In South Africa, the cultivated plant is processed into different products, including powder, capsules and tea bags used as either self-care products for lifestyle conditions or general nutritional supplements. Several M. oleifera cultivars and germplasms suitable for several desirable traits like leaf yield, seed production, medicinal properties, and nutritional levels have been produced throughout the world. Results from previous research indicated that these cultivars differ in many traits for example Zheng et al. [4] reported differences in adaptability of eight cultivars in mainland China while Ndhlala et al. [6] reported variation in antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and phytochemical composition. This study aimed to assess the variations in the nutritional attributes of thirteen M. oleifera cultivars obtained as seeds from different geographic locations worldwide and cultivated locally to select the most suitable variety for utilisation in programmes designed to improve the nutritional benefits of local M. oleifera cultivation.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Experimental site and cultivars used

Thirteen M. oleifera Lam. cultivar seeds originating from different geographical locations in the world were cultivated at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) experimental farm, Roodeplaat, Pretoria (25°36'1.85"S; 28°21'54.78"E). The farm is located at an elevation of 1160 m a.s.l.. The vegetation of the farm location is described as savanna [7], and Acocks [8] describes the area as Sourish Mixed Bushveld. The area receives annual precipitation ranging from 380 mm to 700 mm [9]. The average minimum and maximum temperatures in the summer range are 29°C and 20°C, respectively, while winter temperatures are 16 °C and 2 °C, respectively.
The details of the cultivars planted are presented in Table 1. The trial layout was a randomised block design fashion with all the cultivars receiving the same management practices of no fertilisers, watering and constant weeding.

2.2. Sample Preparation and methods of analysis

Fresh leaf samples from each of the M. oleifera cultivars were harvested separately, and nutrients were fully preserved by carefully harvesting the leaflets, which were immediately placed in labelled envelopes, sealed in vessels containing liquid nitrogen for transportation to freeze-drying facility. The harvested samples were freeze-dried for 48 h. and dried plant materials were ground into powder and used for analysis. The standard and referenced methods' concentrations of nutrients were determined [10,11,12,13].

2.3. Data Analysis

A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done to determine the difference of properties from various cultivars (p ≤ 0.05). The least significant differences (LSD) test was used to separate the means. We also determined correlation amongst different measured attributes. Statistical analysis was carried out in the R statistical package version 3.6.3 [14].

3. Results and Discussion

The results of the carbohydrates, energy, sugars and fibre are shown in Table 2. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in the carbohydrates, energy, some of the sugars and fibre. The local domesticated cultivar from Limpopo Province, South Africa, exhibited higher (p ≤ 0.05) total sugars, energy, glycaemic carbohydrates, and glucose than the other cultivars. Cultivars TOT4977 and TOT5028 from Thailand showed lower (p ≤ 0.05) levels of total sugars, energy, glycaemic carbohydrates and sucrose. There were, however, no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in the levels of glucose, lactose and maltose detected in all the tested cultivars. In all the cultivars, very low amounts (< 0.3 g/100g) of lactose and maltose were detected.
The Taiwanese cultivar TOT4100 (45.8 g/100g) and Thai cultivars TOT5028 (45.7 g/100g), TOT5169 (45.8 g/100g) had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher fibre composition compared to the rest of the tested cultivars while the cultivars from Limpopo and TOT5330 from Thailand had the least (40.8 g/100g for both). Higher fibre composition in the leaflet powders contributes significantly to the pharmacological attributes of the plant as it enhances normal bowel function and subsequently preventing diseases like cancer of the colon [15].
Table 3 represents the results of moisture, ash, fat, cholesterol and protein. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences across all the cultivars in these parameters except for cholesterol. Higher amounts of moisture, ash, total saturated fat, total monounsaturated fat, and protein were exhibited by TOT4880, TOT5028, TOT4977 and Limpopo cultivars.
The moisture levels in all the cultivars ranged from 7.10% (TOT4951) to 8.20% (TOT4880), which can be considered high. This may be due to the presence of sugars (fructose, glucose, maltose, lactose and sucrose) as presented in Table 2 that results in the MLP being hygroscopic, causing it to absorb moisture from the environment [16]. Higher moisture content in food ingredients reduces shelf-life thus, care needs to be taken when storing the raw powder or some products as in South Africa, M, oleifera powder is consumed in many different forms, including capsules.
Higher protein levels in the locally domesticated cultivar from Limpopo Province, South Africa (28.9 g/100g) are encouraging and suggest that the cultivar is a good protein supplement source for population leaving the area and for adoption and cultivation in the other areas considering the fact that the cultivar is already domesticated in South Africa. Protein is one of the key nutrients that is lacking within most of the food products being consumed by the population of South Africa, as mentioned above, primarily replaced by high sugar foodstuffs, alcohol and drinks. The Thai cultivar, TOT5169 exhibited the least protein content (20.8 g/100g).
Table 4 presents the microelement levels of the different M. oleifera cultivars. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences across all the cultivars in microelements studied except for zinc (Zn). Cultivar TOT5028 from Thailand contained the highest calcium levels (51893 mg/100g), while the domesticated Limpopo cultivar contained the least (31363 mg/100g). For Iron (Fe) and potassium (K), cultivar TOT5077 and SH exhibited the highest amounts of Fe and K, respectively, while cultivar TOT7266 and TOT5028 recorded the least levels, respectively. Microelements such as Ca, Fe, K and Zn are essential physiologically in the human body to maintain total body health [17]. For example, like Ca, microelements are required daily to promote bone growth and formation in infants and the normal development of fetal bones. Some of the foodstuffs that naturally contain calcium include green leafy vegetables, including M. oleifera, as presented in Table 4.
Table 5 indicates the variation of vitamins exhibited by the thirteen M. oleifera cultivars. TOT5169 had the greatest (p ≤ 0.05) amounts of folic acid (vitamin B) and vitamin A. While, TOT5077 and Limpopo cultivar had the highest (p ≤ 0.05) amounts of vitamin C. However, vitamin B12 was not detected in any of the cultivars. Vitamin A includes retinol, retinal and retinoic acids; these are responsible for various physiological processes such as improving eye vision, skin development, boosting the immune system and embryonic growth. M. oleifera is reported to contain more Vitamin A than in carrots [18]. Folates are B-vitamins responsible for DNA synthesis and cell division. Lack of folates in the diet may lead to neural tube defects in the brain and spinal cords of babies, therefore folate containing diet or supplements is highly recommended during pregnancy. Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic acid, is found in high amounts of about 200 mg/100 g, greater than in orange fruits [19]. Vitamin C is responsible for lowering blood cholesterol levels and is also involved in the absorption of iron. Vitamin C is also known to act as an antioxidant. These antioxidants are responsible for acting against free radicals, the reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Figure 1 indicates the correlogram of various nutrients, minerals and fats found in M. oleifera. There was mostly no correlation between the different measured attributes, except for a few. Total sugar and sucrose; glucose and fructose; moisture and glycemic carbohydrates; phosphorus and calcium; phosphorus and magnesium; calcium and ash; total fat and saturated fat; magnesium and ash; magnesium and calcium. While there were significant negative relationships between the following pairs: calcium and total sugar; calcium and sucrose; ash and total sugar; ash and sucrose; magnesium and total sugar; total polyunsaturated fats and total monosaturated fats. These significant relationships indicate the potential of using models to predict some of these nutrients, fats and minerals. This would significantly reduce the expense used in wet chemical analysis for measuring these attributes.
South Africa does not only suffer from the prevalence of infectious diseases associated with underdevelopment, poverty and under-nutrition but there is also an emerging epidemic of chronic diseases linked to over-nutrition and Western types of diet and lifestyle [20]. An example is that in South Africa, nearly 30% of dietary energy is supplied by sugar, fat and alcohol, which have a high energy density but are very low in other nutrient densities. Rapid urbanisation, rising incomes and poor dietary choices have acted as drivers for this emerging epidemic of chronic lifestyle diseases. The net result is an increased burden on the national healthcare system because of the effects of the two forms of malnutrition which are undernutrition and over-nutrition.
The high nutritional content of M. oleifera leaflets makes the plant an extraordinarily attractive tool for addressing malnutrition throughout the developing world, including South Africa. The selection of cultivars with advantages of high nutritional content or any other factor is critical in malnutrition alleviation programmes. For example, in South Africa, The National Government, through the Department of Science and Innovation, Directorate of Indigenous Knowledge-based Technology Innovation, initiated a Moringa Flagship made up of several communities that are encouraged to grow M. oleifera for food and nutritional security. These communities are linked to researchers from universities and science councils to assist them with cultivation and quality control and product formulations. Therefore, it is critical to understand variants within M. oleifera cultivars to select those that simultaneously have high nutritional content for better nutraceutical effect and high medicinal properties.

4. Conclusions

These data revealed that plants from different geographical provenances differed in their adapting to varied environments and suggested severe differences, which may be one of the factors affecting the quality of nutrients, phytochemical, leaf and seed yield of M. oleifera. In general, under the same cultivation, management and natural environmental conditions, the main reasons for these differences occurred in cultivars could be associated with the genetic background of each M. oleifera germplasm. Additionally, Makita et al. [21] reported that not all M. oleifera contain an important flavonoid, rutinoside, responsible for the plant's nutritional and therapeutic propreties. Taking note of the presence of these secondary metabolites will greatly improve the identification of nutritional and pharmacological potent cultivars.

Author Contributions

ARN, carried out the study concept, nutrition work, analysed the data and drafting of the manuscript. TT, study design, assisted in data analysis and interpretation as well as drafting of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by Department of Science and Innovations (DSI) – Indigenous Knowledge System -based Tech Innovation, Pretoria, grant number DSI/CON C2235/2021.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge The Agricultural Research Council (Vegetable and Ornamental Plants) for the plant material used.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Karthy, E. S., Ranjitha, P.,Mohankumar, A., 2009. Antimicrobial potential of plant seed extracts against Multidrug Resistant Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MDR - MRSA). International Journal of Biology 1, 34-40. [CrossRef]
  2. Tshabalala, T., Ncube, B., Madala, N. E., Nyakudya, T. T., Moyo, H. P., Sibanda, M.,Ndhlala, A. R., 2019. Scribbling the cat: A Case of the “miracle” plant, Moringa oleifera. Plants 8, 510. [CrossRef]
  3. Leone, A., Spada, A., Battezzati, A., Schiraldi, A., Aristil, J.,Bertoli, S., 2015. Cultivation, genetic, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Moringa oleifera leaves: An overview. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 16, 12791-12835. [CrossRef]
  4. Zheng, Y., Sun, H., Zhang, Y., Wu, J. 2019. Evaluation of the adaptability, productivity, and leaf powder quality of eight Moringa oleifera cultivars introduced to a dry-hot climate of Southwest China. Industrial Crops & Products 128, 199–205. [CrossRef]
  5. Habtemariam, S., 2016. The African Moringa is to change the lives of millions in Ethiopia and far beyond. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 6, 355-356. [CrossRef]
  6. Ndhlala, A., Mulaudzi, R., Ncube, B., Abdelgadir, H., du Plooy, C.,Van Staden, J., 2014. Antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytochemical variations in thirteen Moringa oleifera Lam. cultivars. Molecules 19, 10480. [CrossRef]
  7. Mucina, L.,Rutherford, M. C. (Eds) 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Pretoria, South Africa: South African National Biodiversity Institute.
  8. Acocks, J. P. H. 1988. Veld types of South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: Department of Agriculture Technical Services.
  9. Panagos, M. D., Westfall, R. H., van Staden, J. M.,Zacharias, P. J. K., 1998. The plant communities of the Roodeplaat Experimental Farm, Gauteng, South Africa and the importance of classification verification. South African Journal of Botany 64, 44-61. [CrossRef]
  10. AOAC, 2000. Association of Analytical Chemists. Official methods of analysis. AOAC International: Gaithersburg, ML, USA.
  11. AOAC 2003. Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Analytical Chemists International, 17th edn. AOAC International: Gaithersburg, ML, USA.
  12. Dubois, M., Gilles, K. A., Hamilton, J. K., Rebers, P. T.,Smith, F., 1956. Colorimetric method for determination of sugars related substance. Analytical Chemistry 28, 350-356. [CrossRef]
  13. Langemeier, J. M.,Rogers, D. E., 1995. Rapid method for sugar analysis of doughs and baked products. Cereal Chem. 72, 349-351.
  14. R Core Team, 2020.R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. URL http://www.R-project.org.
  15. Omale, J., Adeyemi, A. R.,Omajali, J. B., 2010. Phytoconstituents, proximate and nutrient investigations of Saba florida (Benth.) from Ibaji forest. International Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism 2, 88-92.
  16. Mathlouthi, M., 2001. Water content, watter activity, water structure and stability of foodstuffs. Food Control 12, 409 – 417. [CrossRef]
  17. Pravina, P., Sayaji, D., Avinash, M., 2013. Calcium and its Role in Human Body. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences 4, 659-668.
  18. Fahey, J. W., 2005. Moringa oleifera: A review of the medical evidence for its nutritional, therapeutic and prophylactic properties. Trees for Life Journal 1, 5.
  19. Ramachandran, C., Peter, K. V.,Gopalakrishnan, P. K., 1980. Drumstick (Moringa oleifera): A multipurpose Indian vegetable. Economic Botany 34, 276-283. [CrossRef]
  20. Nyakudya, T. T., Tshabalala, T., Dangarembizi, R., Erlwanger, K. H., Ndhlala, A. R., 2020. The Potential Therapeutic Value of Medicinal Plants in the Management of Metabolic Disorders. . Molecules 25, 2669. [CrossRef]
  21. Makita, C., Madala, N. E., Cukrowska, E., Abdelgadir, H., Chimuka, L., Steenkamp, P., Ndhlala, A. R., 2017. Variation in pharmacologically potent rutinoside-bearing flavonoids amongst twelve Moringa oleifera Lam. Cultivars. South African Journal of Botany 112, 270-274. [CrossRef]
Figure 1. Correlogram indicating the relationship between various nutrients found in different Moringa oleifera variants. X indicates a non-significant correlation at p < 0.05.
Figure 1. Correlogram indicating the relationship between various nutrients found in different Moringa oleifera variants. X indicates a non-significant correlation at p < 0.05.
Preprints 71199 g001
Table 1. Details of the Moringa oleifera cultivars used in the study, obtained from different origins.
Table 1. Details of the Moringa oleifera cultivars used in the study, obtained from different origins.
Cultivar Country of Origin Source of seeds
Limpopo South Africa Local domesticated cultivar from Limpopo Province, South Africa
CHM South Africa Silver Hill, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
SH South Africa Silver Hill, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
TOT4893 Thailand World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT4951 Thailand World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT4977 Thailand World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT 5028 Thailand World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT5077 Thailand World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT5169 Thailand World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT5330 Thailand World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT7266 Thailand World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT4100 Taiwan World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
TOT4880 USA World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan)
Table 2. Concentration of various nutrients of Moringa oleifera found in different cultivars from several origins.
Table 2. Concentration of various nutrients of Moringa oleifera found in different cultivars from several origins.
Cultivar Total Sugar Total energy Glycemic carbohydrates Fructose Glucose Lactose Maltose Sucrose Total Dietary Fibre
g/100g KJ/100g g/100g g/100g g/100g g/100g g/100g g/100g g/100g
CHM 5.70 ± 0.33cd 612 ± 0.707d 6.00 ± 0.27efg 1.10 ± 0.37ab 1.30 ± 0.48a <0.3 <0.3 3.30 ± 0.27c 43.30 ± 0.03d
Limpopo 7.90 ± 0.45ab 741 ± 4.240a 8.00 ± 0.35a 1.00 ± 0.33b 1.50 ± 0.55a <0.3 <0.3 5.40 ± 0.44b 40.80 ± 0.02h
SH 5.70 ± 0.33cd 666 ± 3.540bc 7.50 ± 0.34b 1.30 ± 0.42a 1.40 ± 0.51a <0.3 <0.3 3.00 ± 0.01cd 42.70 ± 0.08f
TOT4100 4.90 ± 0.28e 588 ± 0.707e 5.00 ± 0.23hi 1.30 ± 0.42a 1.10 ± 0.40a <0.3 <0.3 2.50 ± 0.21cde 45.80 ± 0.03a
TOT4880 4.80 ± 0.27e 616 ± 4.240f 5.30 ± 0.24gh 0.70 ± 0.23b 0.60 ± 0.21a <0.3 <0.3 3.50 ± 0.28c 44.80 ± 0.04c
TOT4893 4.70 ± 0.27e 555 ± 7.07d 5.10 ± 0.23hi 0.70 ± 0.23b 1.00 ± 0.40a <0.3 <0.3 3.00 ± 0.24cd 43.30 ± 0.03d
TOT4951 6.70 ± 0.38bc 670 ± 0.707b 7.00 ± 0.31cd 1.10 ± 0.37ab 1.10 ± 0.40a <0.3 <0.3 6.00 ± 0.50ab 41.30 ± 0.02g
TOT4977 4.70 ± 0.27e 651 ± 5.660c 5.00 ± 0.23hi 0.90 ± 0.30b 1.10 ± 0.40a <0.3 <0.3 2.70 ± 0.23cde 42.90 ± 0.03e
TOT5028 3.00 ± 0.17f 526 ± 4.240g 4.10 ± 0.18ij 0.40 ± 0.13bc 0.90 ± 0.32a <0.3 <0.3 1.70 ± 0.14ef 45.70 ± 0.03a
TOT5077 3.00 ± 0.17f 552 ± 0.707f 3.00 ± 0.13j 0.30 ± 0.10c 1.10 ± 0.39a <0.3 <0.3 1.50 ± 0.13f 45.40 ± 0.08b
TOT5169 5.50 ± 0.31ed 532 ± 0.707g 6.30 ± 0.28de 1.20 ± 0.40ab 1.40 ± 0.51a <0.3 <0.3 2.90 ± 0.24cd 45.80 ± 0.05a
TOT5330 5.90 ± 0.34cd 658 ± 3.540bc 6.00 ± 0.27efg 1.30 ± 0.42a 1.60 ± 0.58a <0.3 <0.3 3.00 ± 0.24cd 40.80 ± 0.02h
TOT7266 5.90 ± 0.34cd 589 ± 2.830e 6.00 ± 0.27efg 1.00 ± 0.33b 1.30 ± 0.48a <0.3 <0.3 3.60 ± 0.30c 42.70 ± 0.03f
Means with the different superscripts are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05).
Table 3. Moisture, ash, fat, cholesterol and protein content of some cultivars of M. oleifera from different geographic origins.
Table 3. Moisture, ash, fat, cholesterol and protein content of some cultivars of M. oleifera from different geographic origins.
Cultivar Moisture Ash Total Saturated Fat Total Monounsaturated Fat Total Polyunsaturated Fat Cholesterol Protein
% g/100g g/100g g/100g g/100g mg/100g g/100g
CHM 7.50 ± 0.01e 15.80 ± 0.06d 0.81 ± 0.04ef 0.12 ± 0.06c 1.22 ± 0.02d <0.9 24.4 ± 0.04f
Limpopo 6.90 ± 0.04l 12.30 ± 0.04h 1.20 ± 0.03a 0.16 ± 0.07c 1.56 ± 0.02a <0.9 28.9 ± 0.06a
SH 7.00 ± 0.04g 13.70 ± 0.04g 0.98 ± 0.08bc 1.08 ± 0.06ab 0.28 ± 0.01c <0.9 27.8 ± 0.06b
TOT4100 7.40 ± 0.02f 15.10 ± 0.05e 1.04 ± 0.02b 0.12 ± 0.06c 1.20 ± 0.02c <0.9 23.6 ± 0.02g
TOT4880 8.20 ± 0.01a 16.90 ± 0.06c 1.00 ± 0.03bc 1.00 ± 0.05ab 0.32 ± 0.01c <0.9 23.2 ± 0.04h
TOT4893 7.30 ± 0.04g 15.60 ± 0.07d 0.94 ± 0.03bcd 0.18 ± 0.06c 1.22 ± 0.02c <0.9 25.7 ± 0.04d
TOT4951 7.10 ± 0.01h 15.00 ± 0.05ef 0.94 ± 0.02bcd 0.11 ± 0.03c 1.34 ± 0.02c <0.9 25.8 ± 0.05cd
TOT4977 7.40 ± 0.04f 14.80 ± 0.05f 1.17 ± 0.04a 1.20 ± 0.03a 0.38 ± 0.01b <0.9 25.2 ± 0.04e
TOT5028 7.60 ± 0.03d 18.20 ± 0.07a 0.94 ± 0.02bcd 0.92 ± 0.05b 0.30 ± 0.01d <0.9 22.4 ± 0.02i
TOT5077 7.80 ± 0.01c 16.90 ± 0.06c 0.93 ± 0.01cd 0.91 ± 0.06b 0.32 ± 0.01d <0.9 23.2 ± 0.02h
TOT5169 8.10 ± 0.04b 17.50 ± 0.06b 0.99 ± 0.02bc 0.92 ± 0.06b 0.32 ± 0.01c <0.9 20.8 ± 0.04k
TOT5330 7.50 ± 0.01e 15.80 ± 0.05d 0.94 ± 0.03bcd 0.16 ± 0.05c 1.23 ± 0.02c <0.9 25.8 ± 0.06cd
TOT7266 7.50 ± 0.04e 17.50 ± 0.06b 0.75 ± 0.01f 0.13 ± 0.04c 1.03 ± 0.02e <0.9 21.6 ± 0.03j
Means with the different superscripts are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05).
Table 4. Micro elements content of some cultivars of M. oleifera from different geographic origins.
Table 4. Micro elements content of some cultivars of M. oleifera from different geographic origins.
Cultivar calcium Cadmium Iron Lead Magnesium Mercury Sodium Potassium Phosphorus Zinc
mg/1000g mg/1000g mg/1000g mg/1000g mg/1000g mg/1000g mg/1000g mg/1000g mg/1000g mg/1000g
CHM 40654 ± 116d <0.01 382 ± 0.679b <0.04 4722 ± 9.7j <0.01 14.7 ± 0.01f 11550 ± 0.891b 3397 ± 6.97i 22.9 ± 4.47a
Limpopo 31363 ± 90h <0.01 243 ± 0.438k <0.04 4549 ± 9.3k <0.01 9.1 ± 0.01k 10390 ± 0.368d 3808 ± 7.81d 26.5 ± 5.18a
SH 32652 ± 93g <0.01 346 ± 0.622g <0.04 3460 ± 7.1l <0.01 29 ± 0.04c 11916 ± 0.523a 2620 ± 5.37m 17.5 ± 3.42a
TOT4100 40161 ± 115e <0.01 181 ± 0.325e <0.04 4901 ± 10.1i <0.01 16.8 ± 0.03d 8839 ± 0.679f 3308 ± 6.79j 20.5 ± 4.00a
TOT4880 48150 ± 138c <0.01 290 ± 0.523i <0.04 7998 ± 16.4b <0.01 9 ± 0.01k 5742 ± 0.438k 3969 ± 8.13c 23.5 ± 4.58a
TOT4893 37785 ± 108d <0.01 424 ± 0.750f <0.04 5337 ± 10.9g <0.01 11.8 ± 0.01h 8438 ± 0.622g 4863 ± 9.97a 22.1 ± 4.31a
TOT4951 41871 ± 120ef <0.01 234 ± 0.410l <0.04 7354 ± 15.1c <0.01 3.1 ± 0l 6225 ± 0.325j 4712 ± 9.66b 27.0 ± 5.28a
TOT4977 42320 ± 121f <0.01 405 ± 0.721h <0.04 7133 ± 14.6d <0.01 9.8 ± 0.01j 8047 ± 0.523h 3732 ± 7.65e 22.2 ± 4.33a
TOT5028 51893 ± 148a <0.01 244 ± 0.438c <0.04 5568 ± 11.4f <0.01 30.6 ± 0.04b 2387 ± 0.750m 3695 ± 7.58f 24.7 ± 4.82a
TOT5077 47814 ± 137c <0.01 512 ± 0.919j <0.04 6749 ± 13.8e <0.01 16.2 ± 0.01e 6410 ± 0.410i 3048 ± 6.25k 23.0 ± 4.48a
TOT5169 53008 ± 151b <0.01 496 ± 0.891d <0.04 8108 ± 16.6a <0.01 13.5 ± 0.01g 11416 ± 0.721c 3678 ± 7.54g 22.4 ± 4.37a
TOT5330 42615 ± 122d <0.01 203 ± 0.368i <0.04 5553 ± 11.4f <0.01 10.3 ± 0.01i 9508 ± 0.438e 3636 ± 7.45h 22.0 ± 4.30a
TOT7266 42473 ± 121b <0.01 292 ± 0.523a <0.04 5160 ± 10.6h <0.01 80.1 ± 0.09a 3000 ± 0.919l 2684 ± 5.50l 18.7 ± 3. 65a
Means with the different superscripts are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05).
Table 5. Vitamin composition of some cultivars of M. oleifera from different geographic origins.
Table 5. Vitamin composition of some cultivars of M. oleifera from different geographic origins.
Cultivar Folic acid Vitamin A Vitamin B12 Vitamin C
mg/100g µg/100g µg/100g mg/100g
CHM 0.94 ± 0.01d 527 ± 3.79d Not Detected 275.5 ± 0.265e
Limpopo 1.07 ± 0.01f 279 ± 2.09ef Not Detected 364.9 ± 0.341i
SH 1.12 ± 0.02f 978 ± 3.06f Not Detected 276.3 ± 0.473e
TOT4100 0.09 ± 0.02a 730 ± 2.00a Not Detected 283.2 ± 1.740g
TOT4880 1.05 ± 0.02e 2277 ± 2.00e Not Detected 280.1 ± 0.252f
TOT4893 0.35 ± 0.03c 758 ± 2.00c Not Detected 263.4 ± 0.510d
TOT4951 0.08 ± 0.02a 832 ± 2.00a Not Detected 246.9 ± 0.404ab
TOT4977 1.09 ± 0.01f 956 ± 2.69f Not Detected 256.8 ± 1.770c
TOT5028 0.16 ± 0.02b 642 ± 1.43b Not Detected 382.3 ± 0.511j
TOT5077 1.07 ± 0.02f 279 ± 2.31ef Not Detected 364.9 ± 2.070i
TOT5169 1.64 ± 0.03g 790 ± 2.68g Not Detected 306.8 ± 0.503h
TOT5330 1.10 ± 0.02f 341 ± 1.33f Not Detected 248.2 ± 0.306b
TOT7266 0.22 ± 0.02b 815 ± 1.00b Not Detected 244.4 ± 0.436a
Means with the different superscripts are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05).
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.
Copyright: This open access article is published under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, which permit the free download, distribution, and reuse, provided that the author and preprint are cited in any reuse.
Prerpints.org logo

Preprints.org is a free preprint server supported by MDPI in Basel, Switzerland.

Subscribe

© 2024 MDPI (Basel, Switzerland) unless otherwise stated