Variations in mineral and vitamin content of Moringa oleifera provenances across Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT Elemental nutrient and vitamin content of the leaves and seeds of 10 Moringa oleifera provenances across Nigeria were evaluated. Results revealed significant main effect of accession only with respect to Ca content. Maiduguri and Giri provenances had the highest values of Ca while Ityomu and Dooshima had the least. Plant parts showed significant differences in all mineral traits considered. The leaves were consistently high in P, K, Ca, Mg, N and Fe while the seeds had comparatively higher concentrations of Na, Mn, Cu and Zn. All the vitamins evaluated except B1 and B6, showed significant response to accession. Vitamin A was highly concentrated in samples from Kolo and Awo-Garaji while Mayo-Belwa, Rini, Awo-Garaji, Idere and Dooshima had high accumulations of Vitamin B2. The Kolo accession h topped in Vitamins B12 and E. Influence of plant part was significant on all vitamins tested except Vitamins B1 and B12. All the vitamins showing significant variation concentrated more in the seeds than in the leaves. Biplot graphs revealed greater association of certain vitamins and minerals with particular accessions. It is conclusive that vitamins had more variable distribution across locations than minerals, and were also more concentrated in the seeds than the leaves.