Moringa seed

Description

Moringa seed at sknatural are seeds of Moringa oleifera. It belongs to family moringaceae. Its temperament is hot and dry in second degree. Generally, people use its leaves, flowers and seeds for medicine. People in Southern Punjab culinary vegetable from its fruit pods (drumstick) which is very tasty.

Plant description:

Moringa oleifera is a rapidly growing, deciduous tree that can attain a height of 10–12 m (33–39 ft) with a trunk diameter of up to 46 cm (18 in). Its bark exhibits a whitish-gray hue and is enveloped by thick cork. The young shoots display bark that is purplish or greenish-white and hairy. Characterized by an open crown of drooping, delicate branches, the tree forms a feathery foliage of tripinnate leaves.

Its flowers emit a fragrant scent and are hermaphroditic, featuring five unequal, thinly veined, yellowish-white petals. The fruit is a hanging, three-sided, brown capsule measuring 20–45 cm (8–17+1⁄2 in) in length, containing dark brown, spherical seeds with a diameter of approximately 1 cm. These seeds possess three whitish, papery wings and are dispersed by wind and water.

Nutritional elements:

Moringa seeds boast high levels of crude protein and crude lipids, with a protein content reaching up to 40.34% and a crude lipids content of 39.12%. Additionally, its macroelement content, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium, surpasses that of other metals, notably with a potassium (K) content of 2,537.71 mg/kg.

Uses:

Mature seeds produce 38–40% edible oil known as ben oil due to its high concentration of behenic acid. The refined oil, clear and odorless, also shows resistance to rancidity. After oil extraction, the seed cake left behind can serve as a fertilizer or a flocculent for water purification. Moreover, there is potential for the utilization of Moringa seed oil as a biofuel.

Seed extracts exhibit antibacterial activity and additionally, people utilize it as a water purifying agent. Moreover, several studies have identified Moringa seeds as agents that reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure.