Biochemical and functional properties of (Moringa oleifera) drumstick leaf powder and its utilization

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the "drumstick tree" or "miracle tree," has gained global prominence due to its nutritional richness and versatile adaptability. Moringa oleifera is a perennial deciduous tropical plant from the Moringaceae family. It is rich in various bioactive compounds and is recognized as an effective remedy against malnutrition. Moringa exhibits multiple pharmacological properties, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. These beneficial properties are likely linked to the presence of its bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponin etc. This study aimed to explore this biochemical and functional aspects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder and its integration into ready-to-serve soup preparations. In this study nutritional profiling of two Moringa oleifera varieties, ODC-3 and wild, resulted the ash (ODC-25%, Wild-33.6%), moisture (ODC-11.54%, Wild-7.94%), carbohydrate (ODC-8.1 gm/1000gm, Wild-8.0 gm/100gm) and protein (ODC-25.1 gm/100gm, Wild-23.2 gm/100gm) content. This research also revealed the presence of various antioxidants like phenolics, DPPH, flavonoids, tannins. Mineral composition, reconstitution properties, and phytochemical analysis were also performed. Gas-Chromatography-Mass-Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed the presence of 40 bioactive compounds. Sensory evaluation of ready-to-serve soup of Moringa oleifera leaf powder showed overall acceptability for treatment 2 with 20% Moringa oleifera leaf powder. In conclusion, this research comprehensively explored the biochemical, functional, and nutritional aspects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder. The findings contribute valuable insight into its potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries, highlighting its versatility and health promoting properties.