Profiling Glucosinolates and Phenolics in Vegetative and Reproductive Tissues of the Multi-Purpose Trees Moringa oleifera L. (Horseradish Tree) and Moringa stenopetala L.

Abstract

Moringa species are important multi-purpose tropical crops, as human foods and for medicine and oil production. There has been no previous comprehensive analysis of the secondary metabolites in Moringa species. Tissues of M. oleifera from a wide variety of sources and M. stenopetala from a single source were analyzed for glucosinolates and phenolics (flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and cinnamates). M. oleifera and M. stenopetala seeds only contained 4-(alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate at high concentrations. Roots of M. oleifera and M. stenopetala had high concentrations of both 4-(alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate and benzyl glucosinolate. Leaves from both species contained 4-(alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate and three monoacetyl isomers of this glucosinolate. Only 4-(alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate was detected in M. oleifera bark tissue. M. oleifera leaves contained quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-(6' '-malonyl-glucoside), and lower amounts of kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-(6' '-malonyl-glucoside). M. oleifera leaves also contained 3-caffeoylquinic acid and 5-caffeoylquinic acid. Leaves of M. stenopetala contained quercetin 3-O-rhamnoglucoside (rutin) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid. Neither proanthocyanidins nor anthocyanins were detected in any of the tissues of either species.

Chemopreventive Efficacy of Moringa oleifera Pods Against 7, 12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene Induced Hepatic Carcinogenesis in Mice

“…The antioxidant property of Moringa may be due to the presence of phenolic compounds that was confirmed in this study by phytochemical screening of the extract (Paliwal et al, 2011d;Sharma et al, 2011). In this respect, Moringa pods contain important bioactive compounds including glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, thiocarbamates, and flavonoids (Guevara et al, 1999;Lalas & Tsaknis, 2002;Bennett et al, 2003;Bharli et al, 2003). These compounds quench of ROS, chelate metal ions and regenerate membrane-bound antioxidants.…”

Moringa oleifera: a food plant with multiple medicinal uses

“…Moringa oleifera is rich in compounds containing the simple sugar, rhamnose and a fairly unique group of compounds called glucosinolates and isothiocyanates (Fahey et al, 2001;Bennett et al, 2003). The stem bark has been reported to contain two alkaloids, namely moringine and moringinine (Kerharo, 1969).…”

Bioactivity of phytochemicals in some lesser-known plants and their effects and potential applications in livestock and aquaculture production systems

“…Some of the compounds that have been isolated from moringa seeds are 4-(a-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl glucosinolate (3%), 4-(4 0 -O-acetyl-a-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl isothiocyanate, 4-(a-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl isothiocyanate (10%), niazimicin, and pterygospermin (Daxenbichler, 1991;Fahey et al, 2001;Bennett et al, 2003;Mekonnen and Drä ger, 2003). These compounds are known to have anticancer, antibacterial and hypotensive activities.…”