Anti-nutrient, vitamin and other phytochemical compositions of old and succulent moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) leaves as influenced by poultry manure application

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the anti-nutrient, vitamin and other phytochemical compositions of old and succulent leaves of Moringa oleifera plants as influenced by poultry manure application. Three levels of poultry manure, that is, 0, 5 and 10 tonnes ha^-1 were used for treatment. Poultry manure application insignificantly (p > 0.05) increased oxalate, phytate and saponin compositions of the leaves. The older leaves had higher values of tannin, oxalate, phytate and saponin than the succulent ones. The poultry manure levels did not show any significant differences (p > 0.05) in the proximate/chemical properties and some vitamins (vitamins A, B₁, B₂, B₆, and C). Succulent leaves had higher values of vitamins, proximate and chemical properties. The higher concentrations of the anti-nutrients in the older leaves and higher values of vitamins, proximate and chemical properties in the succulent ones provide a good guide to moringa leaf consumers, to harvest the younger succulent (first to fifth) leaves for consumption.