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Variation of alkaloid, phenol, flavonoid, and tanin content in Moringa oleifera Lam. As a function of plant age and height

Abstract:

The optimal conditions for production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, like Moringa oleifera, are advisable to develop stable and secure herbal medicines and nutritional products. The objective of this research was to evaluate the variability of the content of alkaloids, total phenols, flavonoids and tannins in the plant as affected by its age and height. Samples of leaves coming from the low, intermedium and high sections of the canopy of moringa plants with 12, 15 and 18 months age were taken, and quantitative determinations of those secondary metabolites in the aqueous extract were performed by using absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicate that the concentration ranges were 0.58-0.77, 7.36-19.27, 11.83-34.85 y 0.71-4.43 mg·g-1 for alkaloids, total phenols, flavonoids and tannins, respectively. These concentrations varied significantly (P≤0.01) according to the age and plant height. The highest concentration of the secondary metabolites was obtained at the age of 15 months and when the plant reached intermedium height. These results may be useful for standardization and quality assurance of potential nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications of this plant in the process of dosage for human consumption.