Comparative Phytochemical Screening of Leaves, Seeds and Roots of Moringa Plant (Moringa oleifera Lam)

This research conducted a comparative analysis of the bioactive chemicals in Moringa oleifera parts (leaves, seeds and roots). Phytochemical screening was conducted to identify and measure the essential bioactive compounds using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The phytochemical profile of the various plant components was distinct with the leaves exhibiting significant levels of tannins (9.27± 0.18a mg- 100g), flavonoids (4.98± 0.11b mg- 100g), terpenoids (4.33± 0.29c mg- 100g), and steroids (3.18 ± 0.23d mg- 100g). The seeds contained notable number of alkaloids, with a concentration of 91.66 mg- 100g. Additionally, they included flavonoids at a concentration of 74.23± 0.22b mg- 100g, tannins (32.28 ± 0.10c mg- 100g), and saponins (32.91 ± 0.04c mg- 100g). The roots had the most elevated amounts of tannins, measuring at a concentration of 38.15 ± 0.25a mg- 100g, and phenolic acids, measuring at a concentration of 4.01 ± 0.15b mg- 100g. The bioactive components of leaves, seeds, and roots exhibited significant differences at p ≤0.05. Leaves provided promising qualities as both a nutritional supplement and an abundant reservoir of innate antioxidants. Roots contain a significant amount of tannin, suggesting their possible use in traditional medicine while the seeds indicated wide range of health benefits, making them important in both traditional medicine and modern pharmacology. The research showed the distinct medicinal and nutritional benefits of each individual part of the Moringa plant, promoting Moringa as a functional food and herbal remedy, and encouraging sustainable harvesting and utilization of all parts of the plant, emphasizing their potential uses in nutrition, traditional medicine, and pharmacology.