Use of moringa in animal and human nutrition: Review

Abstract

Moringa is an indisputable economic importance in plant food and pharmaceutical industry. Its fresh leaves have excellent nutritional value, is a good source of protein (33.77% crude protein), and contain in its composition vitamin A, B and C, minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium and have good digestibility (average 79.7%), which configures as a good supplement for animals. It is considered a valuable source of carotenoids and bioactive compounds with hypotensive and antioxidant activity. Seeds can be extracted from the oil which has 37.2% lipids, containing low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (<1%) and therefore high oxidation resistance, by the presence of high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic, and palmitic and bezênico, the dominant saturated fatty acids. The cultivation of this plant in dry areas can be quite advantageous dietary strategy, since its leaves can be harvested when no other vegetable presents available. Thus, considering the growing interest in the use of natural foods and provide, in addition to nutrients, bioactive compounds, present a review of the moringa and its main forms of use for animal and human nutrition.