Variation in the Phytochemical Constituents of Seeds, Mature and Immature Leaves of Moringa oleifera Lam. Growing in Five Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the variation in the quantities of phytochemicals present in Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds and leaves in five Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. The study area covered two villages from each local government area where leaves and seeds of M. oleifera were collected, washed, air-dried and ground to powdery form. Phytochemical analysis carried out on the extract showed that the plant samples contained flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins which could be attributed to the medicinal usefulness of the plant for treating ailments such as diarrhea, menstrual pain, fever, malaria and stomach disorder. The quantitative phytochemical analysis of M. oleifera showed that the seeds had the highest percentages in alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins when compared with the leaves, with Saki-West samples having the highest value. The mature leaves had higher quantities of the phytochemicals in all the samples compared with the immature leaves with samples of mature leaves from Saki West Local Government also having the highest value when compared with samples from other areas of study. Based on the findings, the seeds and the mature leaves of Moringa oleifera should be preferentially used for medicinal purpose.

Keywords: Phytochemical constituents, leaves (mature and immature), seeds, Moringa oleifera