Mineral and Trace Element Content in Different Parts of Moringa oleifera Grown in Bangladesh

Abstract

Mineral concentration and trace element content in leaves (tender and matured), flowers and pods of M. oleifera grown in Bangladesh was investigated. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and UV visible spectroscopy methods were used for this analysis. Content of some of the essential elements such as Ca, Fe, P, Mn, Zn, Cr were found to be present in good amount. On the other hand trace elements Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni were not detected and Arsenic was found to be present below the toxic limit. Ca is found positively but insignificantly correlated with Mn (r=0.402) and Zn (r=0.435) but negatively and significantly correlated with P (r= -0.697). Mn is positively but insignificantly correlated with Ca (r=0.402). However, Mn is ‍also significantly correlated with Fe (r=0.842) and Zn (r=0.625) which indicates that the percentage of Mn, Fe and Zn in M. oleifera are significantly dependent on each other. Fe and Zn do not show any significant correlation with other observed metals. P is found insignificant and negatively correlated with Mn. The result of this study revealed that all the parts of M. oleifera is a good source of nutritionally important essential elements Ca, P, Mn, Zn and Cr,  and, the leaves and flowers might be the potential sources of Fe supplements for human and livestock.