Contribution of Moringa Tree for Food Security and Management in Southern Ethiopia ; Review

Consumption of diverse diets, with balanced supplies of macro and micro-nutrients is required for normal human growth and physiological development. However, availability of optimally diverse diets may be constrained by wealth and/or education (including loss of traditional knowledge of indigenous crops. Human diets have been inadvertently simplified in food systems during the Green-Revolution era where agricultural production focused on provision of sufficient energy. In populations depending on cereal-based diets with low nutrient density, dietary simplification and shortage of access to animal source food exacerbates deficiency of vitamins and minerals, also known as hidden hunger. Moringa oleifera and Moringa. stenopetala are underutilized tropical tree species that can play an important role in dietary diversification and contribute to alleviation of hidden hunger in less developed tropical and subtropical countries .In particular, Moringa can be a rich source of some micronutrients that are commonly deficient in cereal-based diets.


4.Food and Nutritional Value of Moringa
Moringa contains much more nutrient and medicinal chemical, and so, it is named as miracle tree plant. Moringa leaves contain more vitamin A than carrots, more Vitamin C than orange, more potassium than bananas, and on top of that the protein quality of Moringa leaves competes with that of milk and eggs (Fahey 2005). Moringa tree is rich in nutrients such as minerals, fiber and proteins that can play essential role in human nutritional consumption. Numerous of the research reports have shown that Moringa oleifera leaves has high protein compared to with other leaves eaten as food (Suchada, Supawan, & Thanapat 2010). Each part of the Moringa tree (fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, barks and roots) is associated with the presence of at least one, or in most number of benefits (Zaku et al. 2015). It have multiple uses i.e. leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked, or stored as dried powder for many months without loss of nutritional value. Till date, Moringa has seven use categories identified namely, medicine, food, fodder, fencing, firewood, coagulant and gum . Each part of the Moringa tree (fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, bark and roots) is associated with the presence of at least one, or in most number of benefits (Zaku et al. 2015).The analysis of dietary iron supplements in the liver influenced by M. oleifera leaves revealed that iron from Moringa can overcome iron deficiency (Saini et al. 2014). Besides, it has great use in culinary purpose. Wide varieties of dishes can be prepared from the parts of moringa, as a whole or mixed. In south Indian varieties, culinary items like sambars and fries are prepared from moringa pod. Likewise, it is used in curries, kormas and dal to enhance the taste; and at some place it is reported to be used in preparing cutlet dishes (Paliwa et al. 2011).

Medicinal Use
According to Endeshaw (2003), the leaves, roots, and seeds of M. stenopetala and M. oleifera have a long tradition of use in folk medicine. Various parts of the M. stenopetala tree are claimed to contain disease-preventing chemicals. People with high blood pressure boil the leaves and drink the water to get relief from their aliment. Gebreselassie et al., (2011) suggested that leaf extracts of M. stenopetala are used to lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels. They reported that aqueous leaf extract of M. stenopetala is shown to increase body weight and reduce serum glucose and cholesterol levels in mice. Serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels decreased significantly after six weeks of treatment. They indicated the need for further studies in order to fractionate the active principle and find out the mechanism(s) of action of M. stenopetala leaf extract on blood glucose and cholesterol levels in animal models to ascertain its therapeutic importance. Similarly, experiments conducted on animal models showed that butanol fraction of the ethanol extract of M. stenopetala leaves has anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyper lipedemic effects, and as a result, can be used to treat diabetes (Alemayehu et al., 2012). These researchers indicated that administration of butanol fraction of ethanol extract of M. stenopetala leaves to diabetic mice resulted in significant reduction of fasting blood glucose level, serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The fraction also showed a tendency to improve body weight gain in diabetic mice According to Yalemtsehay (2003), there are claims that the leaves of M. stenopetala boiled in water can cure malaria, hypertension, and stomach pain. The roots of M. stenopetala chopped and mixed with water are also used for treating severe cases of malaria (Yalemtsehay,2003).. A recent report by Kinuthia et al., (2013) showed that methanolic extracts of dried leaves of M. stenopetala exhibit antileishmanial activity. According to these individuals, traditionally, M. stenopetala leaves are used to expel retained placenta from women and cows; and the Turkana of northern Kenya make an infusion with the leaves of M. stenopetala as a remedy against leprosy The Njemps people of Kenya chew the bark of M. stenopetala as a treatment against cough and use the bark extracts to make fortifying soup (Demeulenaere, 2001). In Somalia, women inhale the smoke released by the burning of the M. stenopetala root during difficult labour (Demeulenaere, 2001).
Moringa is really a miracle plant that has wide range of medicinal uses. Moringa plant have several specific remedial properties including its anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-hypoglycemic, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties (Razis et al. 2014). Practically, most parts of the Moringa tree are utilized for some medicinal use which is presented . Moringa has been used in the traditional medicine passed down for Journal of Resources Development and Management www.iiste.org ISSN 2422-8397 An International Peer-reviewed Journal Vol.81, 2021 16 centuries in many cultures around the word, for skin infections, anemia, anxiety, asthma, blackheads, blood impurities, bronchitis, catarrh, chest congestion, cholera, conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhea, eye and ear infections, fever, glandular, swelling, headaches, abnormal blood pressure, hysteria, pain in joints, pimples, psoriasis, respiratory disorders, scurvy, semen deficiency, sore throat, sprain, tuberculosis, for intestinal worms, lactation, diabetes and pregnancy (Nikkon et al 2003).

Water purification
According to Göttsch (1984) dried and crushed seeds of the plant are important to clarify muddy and turbid water, to suit it for drinking analogous to the chemical coagulant Aluminum sulphate Göttsch (1984), .has also further proved that it lowers the concentration of bacteria (it has bactericidal effect) and fungi (it has fungicidal effect). Eilert et al. (1981) have also reported that water purification and its bactericidal and fungicidal effect over weigh that of M. oleifera. However, the local people in Ethiopia do not use the plant for water clarification (Göttsch, 1984). Göttsch (1984) further added that only the roots of Maerua subcordata (Amharic: Wuha matariya) is used for water purification by people living on both sides of the lower Omo river in Gamo Gofa, South-West Ethiopia. Unfortunately, this species is toxic and not very efficient coagulant but it is on use elsewhere in Africa (Jahn, 1991). Whereas, water purified using crushed seeds of M. oleifera and M. stenopetala is safe for human consumption (Berger et al.,1984). Most Ethiopians living in rural areas are dependent on surface water, and this situation is not likely to change in the near future. Even if locally treated water is not perfect hygienically, at least it would be important to have safe water by clarifying it with cheap and easily accessible method. Therefore, the seeds have potential for water purification

Moring Tree management.
It has been reported that M. stenopetala grows wild at elevations between 1,000 and 1,800 m (Mark, 1998) but it will grow as high as 2200m and as low as 300m. Studies show that light frosts will do it no harm and freezes, though, may cause it to die back to ground level, where new sprouts may be produced. Full sun is normal, though partial shade is tolerated. It is resistant to dry weather. Optimum light for germination of all Moringa species is half shade (Ethiopian Tree Fund Foundation, 2006). The most striking characteristic of the Konso agricultural system is the cultivation of the cabbage tree (M. stenopetala). The tree is densely planted within the villages and generally more widely spaced in the fields and terraces between 1600 and 1800 m. Its light green leaves and the conspicuous grey bark are characteristic features of the cabbage tree. Konso can be considered as the area where the tree was first cultivated. From here the cultivation has spread into neighboring areas where it is being used intensively as well (Engels, 1991). Seeds should be planted about 2 cm deep in soil that is moist but not too wet. Sprouting occurs normally in 1-2 weeks. It can be allowed to grow for shade (6-15 m), or kept low (about 1-1.5 m) for easier harvesting. M. stenopetala quickly produces a large gray trunk and leaves covered with glistening nectars. It quickly sends out new growth from the trunk when cut, or from the ground when frozen. Living fences can be continually cut back to a few feet. It is an extremely fast-growing tree and continued to grow during the exceptionally long dry season (Ethiopian Tree Fund Foundation, 2006).

Conclusion
Moringa oleifera L. is a plant native to India but it is widely grown tree in Africa, Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Philippines, South Africa, Asia, Florida and Latin America. It is a drought-tolerant, fast-growing, multi-purpose, eco-friendly and one of most useful tree due to its medicinal and nutritional properties in world and therefore described as a 'miracle tree'. Moringa tree is rich in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and proteins that. It is a very nutritious plant containing more vitamin A than carrots, more Vitamin C than orange, more potassium than bananas, and protein quality of leaves competing with that of milk and eggs. Hence, it can play essential role in human nutritional consumption. Moringa has wide range of medicinal uses as anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-hypoglycemic, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. Fresh Moringa leaves can be used in vegetables. Leaf powder can also be consumed as food, nutrient supplement and medicinal purpose. The tender pods can be consumed as boiled, steamed, and fried and the seeds can also be consumed like peas. Moringa can be effective in assuring food security be by breaking the monoculture and also promote promotion of other neglected and underutilized crop species. Moringa can be used as a good source of animal and bird feeds due to its nutritional quality and better bio-mass production especially in dry periods. Similarly, its leaf extract was found to improve fruit set, yield, fruit weight, firmness, color, soluble solids content, vitamin C, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity. Thus, Self-reinforcing nature of Moringa from less potential soil and its extract replenishing the nutrient is beneficial in agricultural land.