Physico-chemical characterization and bioactive properties of seed and leaf oils of Moringa Oleifera
Antioxidant capacity. Antibacterial activity. Cytotoxic activity. Fatty acids.
The use of oils for various applications has become increasingly frequent. The oils extracted from the seeds and leaves of Moringa oleifera stand out for having a broad spectrum of action with great potential. However, their physicochemical characteristics, bioactive properties, and cytotoxicity have been studied little. Given the above, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and bioactive properties of the oil from the seeds and leaves of Moringa oleifera. Initially, the oils were analyzed by hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetry (TG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA), followed by determination of the fatty acid profile by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and physicochemical characterization. The concentration of total phenolic compounds (TPC) was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteau method. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by scavenging DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2- azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals, and Total Antioxidant Activity (TAC). In addition, the antibacterial activities and inhibition of glucose metabolism enzymes in vitro were determined. The lipid profile results of the seed oil and leaf oil indicated a high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (70.9 and 70.6%), emphasizing linoleic acid (51.7 to 51.5%). The seed and leaf oil presented percentages of saturated fatty acids equal to 18.9 and 18.23%. The seed oil presented an iodine value (104.2 g l /100 g) similar to the leaf oil (111.8 g l /100 g). The methanolic fraction of the seed oil presented a TFC of 90.92 µg EAG.g-1 and in vitro antioxidant capacity of 16.82 and 9.13 µmol TE.g-1 and 81.33 mg AA.g-1, according to the DPPH, ABTS and CAT assays, respectively. Finally, the methanolic, integral, and insoluble precipitate fractions of the oils presented in vitro enzyme inhibition activity, with inhibition of the activity of α amylase, α-glucosidase, and amyloglucosidase. Therefore, the results show the potential of moringa seed and leaf oils for applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.