Research advances on the multiple uses of Moringa oleifera: a sustainable alternative for socially neglected population

Publication date: Available online 28 July 2017 Source:Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine Author(s): Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante, Jamille Alencar Sales, Vandbergue Santos Pereira, Débora de Souza Collares Maia Castelo-Branco, Rossana de Aguiar Cordeiro, Célia Maria de Souza Sampaio, Manoel de Araújo Neto Paiva, João Bosco Feitosa dos Santos, José Júlio Costa Sidrim, Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a plant with high nutritional and medicinal value. Native to India, it is now widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its different parts are sources of proteins, vitamins and minerals and present different pharmacological and biotechnological potential. Moreover, M. oleifera seeds are widely used in water and effluent treatment, for their coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation properties, their ability of improving water quality, by reducing organic matter and microbial load, with special applicability in intensive animal production systems, such as aquaculture. In addition, due to its high nutritional value and several medicinal properties, this tree may act as a nutritional and medical alternative for socially neglected populations. In this context, this review gathers information on M. oleifera, emphasizing its chemical constituents, nutritional, pharmacological and antimicrobial properties, applications in the treatment of water effluents, and ecological and social aspec...
Source: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine - Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research