Extraction, Characterization and Phytochemical Screening of the Seed, Seed Oil and Leaves of Moringa oleifera

The seed and leaves of moringa oleifera, belonging to the moringaceae family which have both nutritional and medicinal applications were studied. Phytochemical screening of five extracts of the plant leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids phenols, and steroids. Quantitative determination of the phytocompounds were carried out and results obtained showed that the percentage content of the alkaloids, saponins, phenols and flavonoids were 0.56%, 0.48%, 0.85% and 4.04% respectively. Chemical characterization of the oils showed that the seed oil had 40.20% yield, 1.122mgKOH/g acid value, 22.842g/100g iodine value, 20.57mg/g saponification value, 270.29 saponification equivalent and no peroxide value. The saponification value indicated that the oil was good for soap, lubricating and pharmaceutical industries. Iodine value indicated that the oil is a non-drying type. No peroxide value indicated the absence of oxidation rancidity. The low acid value indicates that the oil is fresh. The result of the analysis of the thin layer chromatographic fractions of ethylacetate leaf extracts shows absorption at ultraviolet region as well as visible region due to presence of conjugated unsaturation and conjugation with non-bonding electrons. The FTIR spectra analysis of leaf extracts indicated the presence of the major functional groups such as O-H, C-O, C=O, N-H and C=C bonds.