सहजन पेड़ की अविश्सनीय पोषण एंव औषधीय क्षमता

Moringa (Moringaoliefera L. ) commonly known as the drumstick, horseradish tree and ben oil tree in English,SohjnainAssamese,Sajinain Bengali, Mungna, Sehjanin Hindi, Nuggein Kannada, and Shevagain Marathi. The genus name ‘Moringa’ is derived from the vernacular Tamil ‘Murungai’ meaning twisted pods.

It comprises about 13 deciduous tree species belongs to single genus Moringa in Moringaceae family, including M. concanensis, M. drouhardii, M. longituba, M. ovalifolia, M. peregrina, and M. stenopetala. Most of these species are multi-purpose tree with food, fiber, and medicinal value. Moringa is an indigenous plant to the Sub-Himalayan tracts of South Asia, extending from the northeastern Pakistan to northern West Bengal State in India.

It is commonly found at elevations from sea level to 1400 m. It is naturalized and being cultivated beyond its native range, in different parts of the world, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Arabian Peninsula as well as in East and West Africa. In South Indian states,moringa pods are an essential part of diet and assumes special significance in day-to-day life.

Moringa is considered as “Miracle Tree” or “Wonder Crop”, power-packed with nutrients. Different plant parts of moringa are consumed for nutraceutical value. Apart from pods for vegetable purpose, roots, bark, leaf, flowers are also useful in different ways. It is one of the richest plant sources of vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E and K. The vital minerals reportedin moringa includes Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese and Zinc.

In addition, it has more than 40 natural anti-oxidants. In human health, largely, moringastrengthens cardiovascular system, promotes normal blood-glucose levels, neutralizes free radicals, provides excellent support to the body's anti-inflammatory mechanism, enriches anemic blood and boosts immune system. Moringa consumption improves eyesight, mental alertness and bone strength.

It has potential benefits in malnutrition, general weakness, feeding mothers, menopause related ailments, depression and osteoporosis. Its role in preventing and combating malnutrition as well as alleviating various diseases have been scientifically proven.

Altogether, moringa based formulations can act as an excellent dietary supplement for Indian population.   A dietary supplement is a concentration of essential nutrients that are either extracted from food sources or are artificially synthesized. The major function of dietary supplement is to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the human body and is usually consumed in the form of pill, capsule, tablet or liquid.

The global dietary supplements market size was estimated at USD 123. 28 billion in 2019 and is projected to expand at CAGR of 8. 2%. The Indian dietary supplement market grew at a CAGR of 16% during 2013-2018. The primary factor driving the Indian dietary supplement market is the increasing health consciousness among consumer.

Rapid urbanization and rise in disposable income along with growing awareness regarding health issue are the factors propelling the market growth of dietary supplements. Vitamins and minerals occupies a larger share (40%) of the pie in the Indian dietary supplements market followed by the herbal segment contributing 25%.

Cardiac, anti-diabetic, dermatology, vitamins, minerals and nutrients are the fastest growing segments in the dietary suppliant market. Factors such as change in eating habit and rising sedentary life style increased the occurrence of various life style diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular problems etc.

An ability of moringa plant to grow easily in wide range of climatic and soil condition and extraordinarily high content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, makes it best option as a dietary supplement.

Easy cultivation practices and all season production could supply round the year of green leaves making moringa best fit candidate for manufacturing of dietary supplement.

Morphology of Moringa

The tree commonly grows upto 12 m in height, with increments of 1 to 2 m per year during the first 3 to 4 years. It is a small to large sized, evergreen or deciduous tree, with a spreading, open crown of drooping, brittle branches, feathery foliage of tripinnate leaves, and thick, corky, deeply fissured whitish bark.

Flowers are usuallyfragrant, bisexual, yellowish white in colour and are borne on slender stalks in panicle. The fruits are pendulous, linear, three-sided pods with nine longitudinal ridges, usually 20 to 50 cm long, but occasionally up to 1 m or longer, and 2. 0 to 2. 5 cm broad. The pods, each usually containing up to 26 seeds, are dark green during their development, and take approximately 3 months to mature after flowering.

Seeds measure about 1 cm in diameter, with three whitish papery wings on the angles. Seed weight differ among varieties, ranging from 3,000 to 9,000 seeds per kilogram. Flowering varies extensively among varieties and with climate.

In northern India trees usually flowers only once in a year in the months of April and June, whereas in southern parts of India, flowering typically occurs twice in a year. Flowering generallybegins at an early age, usually within the first year and often within 6 months after planting.

Uses of Moringa tree

Moringa is a tropical tree with multipurpose uses. It is hardy with tremendous capacity to withstand drought. It could be grown in arid to humid areas of the tropical region as a vegetable, forage, medicine, dye and oil yielding crop and for water purification.

All parts of the moringa tree including leaves, pods, bark, seed, fruits and root has medicinal value. Hence, it is known as ‘Miracle Tree. ’ Moringa tree is primarily valued for its edible, tender pods, which are commonly used as a vegetable either cooked or pickled in Southern and Eastern part of India. Besides, tender leaves and flowers are consumed cooked or raw.

Pods, leaves and flowers are rich source of proteins, most of vitamins (beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid) and various minerals like calcium, iron etc.

Regular consumption of moringa can lowers blood pressure, improves moods, treats stomach disorders, heals stomach ulcers, cures diarrhea, reduces colds, boosts energy levels, reduces blood sugar and osteoporosis.

Almost all of its plant parts have various applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. The plant roots are used as natural medicines by many people. Plant bark and seed pods are a good source for dyes and tannins.

Green leaves, stems and twigs are used as animal feeds. Additionally, uses includes alley cropping (biomass production), animal forage (leaves and treated seed-cake), biogas (from leaves), domestic cleaning agent (crushed leaves), bio-fencing and hedges (living trees), organic manures (seed-cake), foliar nutrient (as a bio-stimulant).

Moringa tree parts are also used in textile industry and is suitable for pulp production for newsprint, textiles and cellophane. The bark yields a coarse fiber, which is utilized in making rugs, paper, and cordage. Mucilaginous gum of stem is used in leather tanning and calico printing. Furthermore, leaves and foliage are used as fodder for cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. The flowers are a good source of pollen for honeybees.

Medicinal use of Moringa:

The moringa tree has great medicinal importance, both as preventative and curative treatments. Its usage history dates back to 150 BC. Historical proofs revealed that ancient kings and queens used moringa leaves and pods in their diet to maintain mental alertness and healthy skin. Ancient Maurian warriors of India were fed with moringa leaf extract in the warfront.

India's ancient tradition of Ayurveda states that the leaves of the moringa tree prevent 300 diseases. Moringa plants are rich source of fairly unique phytochemicals, in particular, simple sugar rhamonse is predominant in plant parts. Furthermore, chemicals such as pterygospermin, niazimicin, benzyl isothiocyanate and benzyl glucosinolate holding hypotensive, anticancer and antibacterial activity are also present in the leaves and other parts.

While these compounds are relatively specific to the moringa family, it is also rich in a number of vitamins and minerals as well as other more commonly recognized phytochemicals such as the carotenoids. One of the key molecules in the moringa plant is moringine that enhances lipid metabolism (needed for weight loss), checking diabetes and improving hormonal balance.

Other protective elements of moringa are quercetin (effective in metabolic disorders), kaempferol (anti-cancer agent). Traditional folk medicine practitioners have also identified moringa for prevention of cancer (Tumour therapy).

Unfortunately, many of these reports of efficacy of moringa in human beings are not supported by placebo controlled, randomized clinical trials, nor have they been published in high visibility journals. Scientific validation of these popular uses is gaining attention to support few of the claims.   However, ample scientific evidences are available demonstrating strong antibiotic activity of pterygospermin in moringa.

Green pods:

The immature pods are greatly valued and widely used to prepare various curry and sambar. The pods are extremely nutritious, containing all the essential amino acids along with many vitamins and other nutrients.

The immature pod can be eaten raw or prepared like green peas or green beans, while the mature pods are usually fried and possess a peanut-like flavor. Vitamin-C content in the green pods often varies from 92 to 126 mg per 100 g of edible pulp. Protein contain in pods ranges from 5 to 10 percent.

Immature seeds:

Moringa seeds contain pterygospermin, a potent antibiotic effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Seeds taste like peanuts after frying, are also consumed raw or cooked.

Dried moringa seeds:

Used as a cost effective coagulant in dried form or following extraction of its active principle in petroleum ether. In India and several other countries like Myanmar, Indonesia, Sudan and Malawi it is used for decontamination of drinking water in rural areas. Moringa seed powder has antibacterial properties that make it useful as a natural clarifier for water purification systems and fish ponds.

It is considered as a potential natural and inexpensive alternative to toxic alum. It has potential to remove turbidity and decrease bacterial and viral contamination and thus making water safe for drinking.

Moringa seed oil:

Oil content in moringa seeds varies from 19 to 47 percent and commercially known as “ben oil”. This oil is clear, sweet, odorless and never becomes rancid. Overall, its nutritional value most closely resembles olive oil and is used for human consumption, manufacturing of cosmetic products, and soap.

Furthermore, it assumes special significance in perfume and watch industry. Like olive oil, ben oil is rich source of palmitic, stearic, behmic, and oleic acids.

Seed cake:

High protein ingredient containing about 60% DM of protein, with limited amounts of fibre (9% DM) and fat (less than 1%). Its amino acid profile is rich in sulphur-containing amino acids (methionine + cystine). It also contains anti-nutritional factors such as glucosinolates, saponine and phytate.

Moringa leaves:

The leaves are eaten as greens, in salads, in vegetable curries, as pickles and for seasoning. Dried leaves in powder from can be sprinkled over food or added to milk. Leaves and young branches are also relished by livestock.

Moringa leaves assumes greater significance in today’s world as it contains 4 times more calcium than milk, 7 times more vitamin-C (which fights a host of illnesses including colds and flu) than orange, 4 times more vitamin-A (Which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments and diarrhea) than carrot, 3 times more potassium than banana and 2 times more protein than milk.

In addition, it is also rich source of iron and calcium. Thus holds excellent potential as a supplement to prevent malnutrition and associated diseases. Moringa leaves are good source of protein, which varies from 15% to more than 30% DM. Likewise, the fibre content ranging from 8% to more than 30% DM. Furthermore,it contains high levels of minerals (about 10% DM), particularly Ca and Fe.

They are also rich in a wide range of vitamins (ß-caroten, ascorbic acid, vitamin B1, B6 and niacin) as well as flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), which are known to be more potent antioxidants than ascorbic acid. Moringa leaves may thus be used as an antioxidant supplement. They have a relatively high concentration of lipids (5-6%, up to 10% DM) with an important proportion (33 to 45%) of α-linolenic acid.

Moringa leaves contain all of the essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. It is very rare for a vegetable to contain all of these amino acids. These leaves could be a great benefit to vegan people who do not consume meat. It is noteworthy that Moringa contains Argenine and Histidine, which are especially important for infants who are unable to make enough protein for their growth requirements.

Nutritional analysis has shown that Moringa leaves are extremely nutritious especially when dried (Table 2). With the exception of vitamin C there is an increase in all other vitamin content in the dried leaves compared to fresh green leaves. Scientific studies lead to discovery of several phytochemical compounds in moringa leaves holding therapeutic potential against multiple diseases and disorders.

Prominent diseases which can be treated by consumption of moringa leaf powder or tablets includes bacterial and urinary tract infection, HIV-AIDS, Epestein Bar Virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1), bronchitis, external sours, ulcers, fever, prostate, hypocholestemia, anemia, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, colitis, iron deficiency, thyroid, scurvy, headache, rheumatism and gastritis.

Furthermore, leaves have unique compounds providing therapeutic properties such as diuretic, hypoglycemic, hepatorenal, helminthes, trypanosomes, radio protective, anti-tumour, lactation enhancer, antihypertensive, and hepatic. However, few studies have also suggested the presence of antinutritional factors such as saponin and glucosinolates in low to moderate quantity.

The roots:

Roots of moringa are pungent in taste, and are used as a condiment after peeling, drying, and mixing with vinegar. The root bark must be entirely removed as it is rich in alkaloids, particularly moringine, a toxic compound.

Moringa for preventing malnutrition in West African countries:

Moringa plant based products have been successfully used to prevent and combat malnutrition, especially among infants, pregnant and nursing mothers in Senegal and other West African countries. As around 30 per cent of children in sub Saharan Africa suffering from protein deficiency. Besides, enormous number of people are affected by hidden hunger.

Three non-governmental organizations in particular; Trees for Life, Church World Service and Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization, have advocated consumption of moringa leaf powder and other leaf based products to prevent malnutrition in vulnerable group.

Moringa being drought tolerant and produces leaves during the dry season is an excellent source of green vegetable whenever paucity of other foods in a region.

Table 1. Therapeutic principle of Moringaoliefera plant parts

Table 2. Nutritional value of Moringa oleiferapods, fresh leaves and dried leaf powder per 100g of edible portion

Source: The Miracle Tree: Edited by LowelFuglie

Table 3. Moringa based commercial nutraceutical products available in India

CONCLUSION

Moringa is power house of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Moringa plant provides low-cost and credible alternative for supplementing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and nutrients to humans. Additionally, it has tremendous therapeutic principle for alleviating multiple diseases and disorders.

Especially, Moringa leaves and leaf based products holds maximum potential considering the presence of substantial quantity of protein, vitamin C and B-complex, calcium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, zinc and a fine balance of all the essential amino acids. Considering the enormous number of Indian people suffering from hidden hunger, encouraging families to grow and consume moringa based products as a supplement is vital in order to provide cheap, indigenous solution to prevent malnutrition.

Capacity buildingof youth and self-help groups for value added preparationslike leaf powder, tablets, seed oil, seed powder and sauces etc. at commercial scale will provide livelihood security. Anintensive effort to educate vulnerable populations regarding tremendous nutritional and therapeutic value of moringa is need of hour.

Moringa plants can be easily cultivated across wide range of lands with limited resources thus offers a very simple and readily available solution to the problem of malnutrition to Indian population.

Authors

Darshan M. Kadam, Ashok Mahaver and Amrut Morade

ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun

Email: darshankadamhort@gmail. com