1. Research advances on the multiple uses of Moringa oleifera: A sustainable alternative for socially neglected population
Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira BRILHANTE ; Vandbergue Santos PEREIRA ; Débora de Souza Collares Maia CASTELO-BRANCO ; Rossana de Aguiar CORDEIRO ; Manoel DE ARAÚJO NETO PAIVA ; José Júlio Costa SIDRIM ; Marcos Fábio Gadelha ROCHA ; Jamille Alencar SALES ; Célia Maria DE SOUZA SAMPAIO ; Marcos Fábio Gadelha ROCHA ; João Bosco Feitosa dos SANTOS
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2017;10(7):621-630
Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a plant with high nutritional and medicinal value. Native to India, it is now widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its different parts are sources of proteins, vitamins and minerals and present different pharmacological and biotechnological potential. Moreover, M. oleifera seeds are widely used in water and effluent treatment, for their coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation properties, their ability of improving water quality, by reducing organic matter and microbial load, with special applicability in intensive animal production systems, such as aquaculture. In addition, due to its high nutritional value and several medicinal properties, this tree may act as a nutritional and medical alternative for socially neglected populations. In this context, this review gathers information on M. oleifera, emphasizing its chemical constituents, nutritional, pharmacological and antimicrobial properties, applications in the treatment of water effluents, and ecological and social aspects.