Determination of Proximate and Mineral Composition of Moringa oleifera Leaves and Pods

Background and Objective: Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose plant known for its high nutritional and medicinal value. Despite its widespread cultivation, comprehensive data on the nutrient composition of its leaves and pods in Bangladesh are limited. This study aimed to determine the proximate, vitamin, and mineral composition of M. oleifera leaves and pods to evaluate their potential for dietary supplementation and food fortification. Materials and Methods: Leaves and pods of M. oleifera were collected from BIRTAN research fields, Araihazar, Narayangonj, Bangladesh, in triplicate. Samples were cleaned, dried, and analyzed for proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, dry matter, and energy) using standard AOAC (2000, 2005) methods. Vitamin content (Vitamin C, β-carotene, B1, B2, B 3, B6, B9) was quantified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Mineral content (Ca, K, Na, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, P) was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Flame Photometry. Data were expressed as Mean±SD of triplicate analyses. p-values≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Leaves were richer in protein (7.60±0.14 g/100 g), fat (1.81±0.04 g/100 g), carbohydrate (15.55±0.31 g/100 g), and energy (108.88±0.38 kcal/100 g) compared to pods, which contained higher moisture (87.04±1.74 g/100 g) and dietary fiber (5.36±0.25 g/100 g). Vitamin analysis showed leaves had significantly higher Vitamin C (123.85±0.77 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (15,649.95 μg/100 g) than pods (Vitamin C: 70.66±1.48 mg/100 g; β-carotene: 0.096±0.02 mg/100 g). B-complex vitamins, including B6 (1.36±0.004 mg/100 g) and folate B9 (356.18±1.25 μg/100 g), were also higher in leaves. Mineral profiling revealed leaves had elevated Ca (393.08±7.86 mg/100 g), Fe (2.82±0.06 mg/100 g), Mg (75.61±1.51 mg/100 g), Na (48.30±0.47 mg/100 g), and P (99.67±2.00 mg/100 g), while pods were richer in K (337.99±2.08 mg/100 g) and Zn (0.744±0.011 mg/100 g). Conclusion: Moringa oleifera leaves are nutrient-dense, providing high levels of protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, while pods contribute dietary fiber, potassium, and zinc. Both plant parts can be utilized strategically for food fortification and dietary supplementation, highlighting the potential of M. oleifera as a sustainable resource to combat malnutrition and enhance nutritional security.