Proximate, amino acid profile and mineral composition of fresh and shade-dried Moringa oleifera leaves grown in Gwagwalada, Abuja

Abstract

Proximate and mineral composition of fresh and shade-dried moringa leaves were determined using the procedures of Association of Official Analytical chemists AOAC, (1990) while their amino acid profiles were determined using methods described by Benitez (1989). Results on proximate showed that shade-dried moringa leaves have higher levels of crude protein (CP), crude fibre and ash while fresh moringa leaves has higher ether extract and moisture content. Amino acid results showed that shade-dried leaves had higher values of both essential and non-essential amino acids that were identified. Mineral composition values were also observed to be higher in shadedried leaves than in fresh leaves.