PROXIMATE AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF AND SEED IN OSOGBO, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the proximate analysis and phytochemical properties of Moringa leaf and seed. The proximate analysis recorded the concentrations (in percentage) of leaf and seed samples respectively as: Carbohydrates (52.68±0.10% and 17.94±0.59%), Crude Fat (5.80±0.03% and 46.10±0.10%), Protein (11.63±0.15% and 19.91±0.11%), Crude Fibre (12.71±0.12% and 6.72±0.21), Ash (10.20±0.13% and 5.09±0.11), Moisture (6.98±0.05% and 4.34±0.04%) and Energy Value (1307.87±0.24KJ/g and 2345.45±0.76KJ/g).The phytochemical analysis revealed that phytates, tannins, phenols, oxalates, alkaloids and glycosides are present in both samples; flavonoids, steroids and anthraquionones are absent in both samples. Terpenoids and saponins are present in leaf but absent in seed.