Title: Phytochemical (qualitative and quantitative) screening and proximate analysis of Moringa oleifera leaf and stem
Authors: PREETHI M and ELAKKIYA.V
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 15-22
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
This study presents a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening along with proximate analysis of Moringa oleifera leaf and stem extracts performed during May-June 2025 at Kongunadu arts and science college, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The alkaloids, tannins and phenols were present in higher amounts and a moderate amount of flavonoids and saponins were present in leaf extract. In the moringa stem extract, moderate presence of alkaloids, tannins and phenols and the presence of flavonoids and saponins were observed. The alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and phenolic concentration in leaf extract was found to be 2.9 ± 0.3 (%), 4.67 ± 0.9 (G.A.Eq.mg/ml), 1.54 ± 1.4 (mg/ml), 47.33 ± 0.8 (mg/ml) and 7.3 ± 1.1 (%), respectively. In stem extract, the total concentration was found to be 1.4 ± 0.9 (%), 2.4 ± 0.2 (G.A.Eq.mg/ml), 0.43 ± 0.5 (mg/ml), 25.3 ± 0.3 (mg/ml), 4.5 ± 1.1 (%), respectively. The proximate analysis of Moringa oleifera leaf and stem was performed to determine their nutritional composition. The proximate analysis revealed that the leaf contained higher moisture content (7.1 %), ash content (8.7 %), crude protein (26.6 %) and crude fiber (31.5 %) compared to stem which had moisture content (4.5 %), ash content (5.9 %), crude protein (23.3 %) and crude fiber (20.4 %). The stem had a higher crude fat content (18.6 %) than the leaf (15.3 %) of moringa. Both the leaf and stem were found to have substantial carbohydrate content, with the stem containing 18.6 % and leaf showing 7.6 %.