Bioactive compounds, associated health benefits and safety considerations of Moringa oleifera L.: an updated review

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the nutritional and phytochemical value of Moringa oleifera L., along with health benefits. Moringa oleifera, a highly valued plant grown throughout the world and all parts of tree used in different food formulations, possess industrial and therapeutic uses. This plant is gaining popularity because of its nutrient-rich root, leaves, flowers and fruits, having immense traditional medicinal uses and proved pharmacological properties. Design/methodology/approach Major well-known bibliometric information sources such as Web of Science, Scopus, Mendeley and Google Scholar were searched with keywords such as nutrition value of Moringa oleifera, bioactive compounds, health benefits, processing and safety were chosen to obtain a database of 1,386 papers. A final database of 70 scientific sources was made after sorting and classifying them according to different criteria based on topic relevance, country of origin and year of publication. Findings The literature reflects that Moringa contains all necessary macro, micro-nutrients and bioactive compounds (terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, glucosinolates, alkaloids, glycosides and carotenoids). Scientific studies illustrate that M. oleifera and its bioactive constituents could play a vital role in the prevention of several chronic and degenerative diseases associated with oxidation stress. The recent upsurge in consumer interest for health foods has opened up new vistas for plant products containing bioactive compounds in different food formulations. Originality/value This paper highlights phytochemicals, pharmacological properties, bio-accessibility, food and industrial applications of Moringa. Moringa pods are traditionally preferred for enlarged liver and spleen, intestinal worms, weakness, neurological disorders and skin disease. A seed is natural and an inexpensive coagulant used to remove organic particles from water.

Moringa oleifera seeds-removed ripened pods as alternative for papersheet production: antimicrobial activity and their phytoconstituents profile using HPLC

“…(family Moringaceae) is a fast-growing and drought-resistant tree, native to the Indian subcontinent with multipurpose uses 1 . Fruits of Moringa are three-sided pods with pendulous and linear shape, also, the pod generally has 250–450 mm long contains approximately 20 globular seeds 2 . From the literature survey, all the works are concentrated in how to use leaves, flowers, pods and roots of Moringa in different purposes 3 – 5 .…”

Bioactive Compounds of Petai Beans (Parkia speciosa Hassk.)

“…These compounds such as alkaloids, terpenoid, curcumines, lignins, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids, and glucosides are produced for self-defense by plant from predators. These phyto-constituents exert physiological activities as well as are used as nutritional components in food material [13]. Plants synthesized these phytochemical compounds against ecological and physiological stresses like UV radiation and microbial attack.…”

“…The active hydrogen sulfides assist in cardioprotective vascular cell signaling molecules that are associated with various cardiovascular health benefits and reduction of systolic blood pressure [20,34]. Organosulfides present in P. speciosa are 1,2,4-trithiolane (TTL) [13], 3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-trithiolsne, 1,3,5 trithiane, 1,2,4,6-tetrathiepane, 1,2,3,5,6-pentathiepane (lenthionine) [20], 1,2,4,5-tetrathiane, 1,2,3,5-tetrathiane, and 1,2,5,6-tetrathiocane [15,34] (Fig. 4).…”

“…Followed by TTL, 1,2,4,6,-tetrathiepane, and 1,2,4,5,6-pentathiepane are found in higher amount in P. speciosa. These compounds are donor of dithiocetal (C-S-C) which is used as antifungal effect for kidney and urinary bladder [8,13,20]. Polysulfide compounds found in P. speciosa exhibits antimicrobial and antibacterial properties [35], and thiazolidine exert anticancer property [15].…”

Bioactive compounds of Aegle marmelos L., medicinal values and its food applications: A critical review

“…Phytochemicals are a group of aromatic secondary plant metabolites that exert protective and disease preventing effects and are broadly spread all through the plant kingdom. Most of the phytochemicals from plant sources, for example, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, glucosinolates, tannins and saponins have been reported for the positive effects on well‐being (Chhikara et al, 2020). These compounds are very well‐known for their ability to prevent and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative issues and furthermore has a positive mediation in the pathological pathway for the better management of such diseases (Kaur, Chhikara, Sharma, Garg, & Panghal, 2019; Figure 1).…”