​Moringa- The Miracle Wellness Tree: A Review

Moringa [Moringa oleifera (Lam.) Moringaceae] is a fast growing, deciduous, drought tolerant and tropical perennial tree. Moringa oleifera is called as a “Miracle Tree” due to not only its nutritional and pharmacological properties but also utilized as biofuel, water purifier and cosmetic industry. Every part of Moringa oleifera is a storehouse of essential nutrients. Edible parts of the plant includes the whole leaves, immature green fruits or seed pods, flowers and roots. Mature seeds yield 38-40 per cent edible oil called ben oil. Cosmetics such as anti-ageing creams, hair care products, face creams, aromatherapy oils and massage oils use moringa oil. Fresh Moringa leaves was collected from Department of vegetable science, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. The KAU Moringa variety Anupama was selected for the study during the period of 2018-2020. Moringa is indeed a miracle tree with enormous potential which is yet to be explored for therapeutic and commercial applications.

Evaluation of the, in vitro, photoprotetive capacity of Moringa oleifera oil for its use in sunscreen formulation

Moringa oleifera Lam is an Indian plant with applications in the agricultural and medical fields. The assets development capable of increasing the efficiency of sunscreens, mainly those of plant origin, due to their natural benefits, represents an increasing demand for cosmetology. The present study aims to identify by CG-MS the constituents of the most active oil and to evaluate the photoprotective capacity of Moringa oil, and its action in sunscreen formulations. Extracts of the oils from the Moringa seeds were evaluated for the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) observing the highest result for the dichloromethane extract. This extract showed low cytotoxic potential for human fibroblasts and it was incorporated into a sunscreen. The extract increased the SPF of the sunscreen and its effect may be related to fatty acids identified by GC-MS. The results showed the benefit of Moringa oil as a vegetable active in the sunscreen formulations by increasing the SPF of sunscreens in a natural and sustainable way.

Optimization of lipids extraction from Moringa oleifera seeds for biodiesel feedstock

This paper explore the mechanism of lipid extraction efficiency on Moringa oleifera seeds using Soxhlet extraction method. This present study essential to determine the effect of particle size of the sample, extraction time and type of solvent applied towards the efficiency in extracting the lipids from the material. Soxhlet extraction method utilizing Buchi B118 was use in this study and response surface method was applied to analysed the data and determine the optimum parameter condition to obtain the highest yield of Moringa oil extraction. Moringa oil derived from Moringa oleifera seeds was converted into biodiesel (FAME) via Transesterification process. Conversion of Moringa FAME was observed using three different alcohol oil to molar ratio by based-catalysed. This study shows significant strong correlations between particle size of the sample, extraction time and type of solvent use towards extraction yield. The Response surface analysis shows that 1.3611 mm particle size of sample, 3 hours of extraction time and hexane as extraction solvent was the optimum condition in order to get the highest yield of lipids extract from both Moringa oleifera samples. Authentication extraction based on RSM recommendation showed an average Moringa oil yield of 39.75 % by weight.

Moringa oil with pristine and fluorinated carbon nanofibers as additives for lubrication

This paper focuses on the influence of local moringa oil on the performances of lubricants formed from blend of dodecane and pristine or fluorinated carbon nanofibers at ambient temperature. The friction experiments have been evaluated using a reciprocating ball on plane tribometer. Moringa oil is designed to be used as a bio-additives in lubricant formulations. First, the addition of small amounts of moringa oil in dodecance allowed a reduction about 50% of the base oil friction performances. In a second part, a comparative study investigates the friction properties of their blends with pristine carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and fluorinated ones (CF0.85) which are intended to be used as solid lubricant additives. An adsorption effect of fatty acid molecules is showed with CNFs particles unlike CF0.85. Whatever was the percentage of moringa oil added, the more promising results were obtained with CF0.85. Physicochemical characterizations of the tribofilms evidence the good antiwear properties of the lubricants.

Effect of Catalyst Type on the Properties of Biodiesel from Jathropha and Moringa Oil Blend

Various methods of biodiesel production have been developed in the recent past to reduce production costs. These new approaches may have varying effects on ester quality. Thus an investigation is necessary to determine cost saving measures that do not compromise ester quality. This work examined the effects of a cost saving strategy on Biodiesel quality. This conservative method involved the transesterification of a Jathropha-Moringa oil blend using a blend of two primary alcohols. Three alkaline catalysts were also used. The reaction conditions were: Jathropha to Moringa oil blending ratio of 4:1; Methanol to ethanol blending ratio of 4:1; Alkaline catalyst concentration of 0.5 w/w %; reaction time of 40 minutes; stirring speed of 1000 rpm; Temperature of 60°C and an Alcohol to oil molar ratio of 7.5. Biodiesel samples were tested according to ASTM D6751 and AOCS guidelines. Results indicated that the density, iodine values, flash point and fire points of esters did not vary significantly as the experiment was repeated using three different alkaline catalysts. It also showed that the effect of NaOH, KOH and CaO were not always negative when they were significant. Lastly, the methods applied in this did not compromise ester quality with regard to observed fuel parameters.

Moringa and Graphite as Additives to Conventional Petroleum-Based Lubricants

Many researches are focused on the tribological performances of pure vegetable oil in order to replace the conventional mineral engine oils. This work investigates the influence of local moringa oil (noted VO) on the performances of lubricants formed from a blend of dodecane and graphite particles at ambient temperature. In a first part, a reduction of about 50% of friction properties of dodecane is observed when adding small amounts of moringa oil (VO), which is intended to be used as a bio-base performance additive in lubricant formulations. The friction properties of their blends with graphite, generally employed as solid lubricant additive, showed an adsorption effect of fatty acid molecules. The more promising results were obtained for the blend containing 2 w% of VO. Physicochemical characterizations of the tribofilms evidence the good antiwear properties of the lubricant.

New Vegetable Oils with Different Fatty Acids on Natural Rubber Composite Properties

Owing to the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic (PCA) oils, much attention has been paid to the replacement of PCA oils by other nontoxic oils. This paper reports comparative study of the effects of new vegetable oils, i.e., Moringa oil (MO) and Niger oil (NO), on rheological, physical and dynamic properties of silica–filled natural rubber composite (NRC), in comparison with petroleum–based naphthenic oil (NTO). The results reveal that MO and NO exhibit higher thermal stability and better processability than NTO. Cure characteristics of the rubber compounds are not significantly affected by the oil type. It is also found that the NRCs containing MO or NO have better tensile strength and lower dynamic energy loss than the NRCs containing NTO. This may be because both MO and NO improve filler dispersion to a greater extent than NTO as supported by storage modulus and scanning electron microscopy results. Consequently, the present study suggests that MO and NO could be used as the alternative non–toxic oils for NRC without any loss of the properties evaluated.

Improvement of the sunflower oil stability by blending with moringa or sesame oils

Vegetable oils can be adjusted by different methods to enhance their commercial applications and to increase their pure quality nutrition. One of the most leisurely ways of creating new innovative products with desirable textured and oxidative properties is the mixing of vegetable fats/oils of various properties. Pure sunflower (SFO) blended with pure moringa (MOO) and sesame (SEO) oils in the ratio of 95:5 and 90:10 w/w. The outcomes showed that the highest acid value was observed at SFO + SEO 10% (0.782). Sunflower oil stabilized when blended with MOO and the levels of conjugated dienes (CD) and trienes (CT) were depressed compared to control. The TPC value was higher when the sunflower blended with moringa oil. The highest scavenging activity percentage was observed in SFO + MOO 5% and SFO + SEO 10% respectively. Meanwhile, the highest induction period at 100 °C was 11.45 hours in the treatment of SFO + MOO 5%. The master fatty acids in the sunflower and moringa oils are combined (SFO:MOO, 90:10), oleic, and palmitic acids. It seems from the current findings that suitable mixing of high linoleic oils with MOO will result in oil mixtures that can satisfy nutritional wants with expanded balance for home cooking and deep-frying.

Postharvest conservation of Tommy atkins mango fruits during storage using Moringa oleifera oil-based coating

Among several biodegradable coatings used to extend the shelf life of fresh fruits, those that can be obtained from Moringa oleifera stand out due to their extraordinary biochemical, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Another aspect is their constitution which is composed of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals and natural bioactive compounds, that can be applied for the development of functional foods due to their nutritional and pharmaceutical properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bio-based coating produced from different concentrations of Moringa oleifera seed oil added to cassava starch in the postharvest conservation of Tommy atkins mango fruits. The bio-based coating was applied to mango fruits stored at room temperature (27 °C) for 15 days. Mangoes were submitted to the following treatments: moringa oil (Moringa oleifera) in 4 concentrations: 0.5% (v/v) + cassava starch; 1% (v/v) + cassava starch; 1.5% (v/v) + cassava starch and a control treatment without coating (0%), during 15 days of storage (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days), adding up to 24 treatments with three replications. The application of moringa-oil-based coating prolonged the postharvest shelf life of the Tommy atkins mango by maintaining the physicochemical and physical properties during 12 days of storage at room temperature when compared to control treatment. M. oleifera oil-based coatings delayed the degradation of the pigments, making the bio-coated fruits gain shine and remain with it