Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of Moringa oleifera Lam.: a global superfood perspective

The issues of global malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and chronic diseases driven by oxidative stress like heart disease, diabetes and cancer demand for sustainable plant-based solutions. However, the evidence comparing different extraction methods is still quite scattered. Moringa oleifera Lam., the 'miracle tree,' offers a compelling solution. This incredible plant is enriched with amino acids, vitamins, minerals and phenolic antioxidants and it can be grown easily and affordably in tropical and subtropical areas. The present study took a comprehensive approach that included a systematic literature review, experimental analysis of DPPH radical scavenging in M. oleifera fruit pulp extracts using three different solvent systems (ranging from 0.125 to 1.0 mg/mL) and field survey data on how it's cultivated and used traditionally. The ethanolic extracts showed the best DPPH inhibition at 89.32% when tested at 1.0 mg/mL, followed by aqueous extracts at 78.27% and n-hexane extracts at 70.52%. All methods demonstrated a clear positive dose-response relationship across the concentrations tested. The present study highlights the nutritional benefits and antioxidant strength of M. oleifera, providing a solid evidence-based reference for developing nutraceuticals, food fortification and supplementation strategies aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiencies and the burden of oxidative diseases in at-risk populations.