Potentiality of Moringa oleifera for food and nutritional security - A review

Abstract

Moringa oleifera tree is referred to as a miracle tree due to its rich source of certain macro and micro nutrients of great importance in human nutrition. There is considerable variation among nutritional values of moringa, which depends on factors like genetic background, environment and cultivation methods. The plant is proven with tremendous medicinal properties. moringa has been described as one of the most amazing trees God has created. Almost every part of the moringa tree, viz. fruit, flower, seed, bark, root and gum is a rich repository of proteins, vitamins and minerals including potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, folic acid as well as b-carotene.The review covers health benefits of moringa as well as technology of post-harvest handling and processing of moringa for utilization in value added products.