Moringa oleifera Lam.: Nutritional composition, bioactive constituents, health benefits, and food-industrial applications: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The growing incidence of micronutrient deficiencies and metabolic disorders has intensified interest in plant-derived functional ingredients with high nutrient density. A multifunctional plant with significant nutritional and pharmacological value, Moringa oleifera Lam., commonly referred to as the drumstick tree or Sahjan, has gained increasing recognition in recent years. Having potential as a functional food ingredient and nutraceutical resource due to its exceptional nutrient density and diverse phytochemical composition, it has attracted considerable interest. Current evidence regarding its nutritional profile, bioactive constituents, biological activities, clinical relevance, safety considerations, and food-industrial applications has been comprehensively and critically reviewed. Moringa leaves are a great source of high-quality protein (20-30% dry weight), essential amino acids, vitamins (A, C, and E), minerals (calcium, iron, potassium), and bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates (Bennett et al., 2003; Moyo et al., 2011; Mbikay, 2012; Waterman et al., 2014). Experimental findings consistently exhibit antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and anticancer properties (Gopalakrishnan et al., 2016; Leone et al., 2018; Stohs & Hartman, 2015; Tiloke et al., 2013). However, large-scale randomized controlled trials remain limited, though emerging clinical data suggest beneficial effects on glycemic regulation and lipid metabolism (Leone et al., 2018; Peñalver et al., 2022). Industrial applications encompass functional food fortification, edible oil production, biodiesel development, and eco-friendly water purification (Foidl et al., 2001; Jahn, 1988; Katayon et al., 2006; Lalas & Tsaknis, 2002). Despite considerable preclinical evidence supporting its health-promoting potential, more advanced research is needed to standardize processing methods, evaluate bioavailability, and confirm long-term safety (Oyeyinka & Oyeyinka, 2018; Saini et al., 2014; Stohs, 2018). Collectively, M. oleifera represents a sustainable and nutritionally superior plant resource with promising implications for improving human health and global food security (Anwar et al., 2007; Leone et al., 2015).