Isolation and Characterization Studies of Moringa Oleifera Root Starch as a Potential Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biomaterial

摘要

Moringa Oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae family) is a deciduous plant with tuber-like root. The tuber of the plant was isolated and examined for its starch constituent and physicochemical properties. The starch was isolated using 1 % w/v sodium metabisulphite solution. The starch obtained was found to be a pure white, crystalline, non- hygroscopic powder with a yield of about 16.31%. The starch percentage solubility at 95°C was 21.66 % with a swelling power of 18.07 and gelatinization temperature of 68°C. It has a browning temperature of 268.6 -270.8°C, charring temperature of 284.5 - 295.7°C, water absorption capacity of 71.13 %, pH of 6.2, foam and emulsion capacities of 4 % and 7.5 % respectively. Phytochemical screening of the starch revealed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins and glycosides while the proximate analysis (in %) was found to be: fat - 14.3, ash -0.143, crude fibre - BDL, protein - 6.125, moisture - 12.76, and carbohydrates - 66.58. The paste clarity was determined at 580 nm as a function of the starch concentration. The amylose content was also determined using a colorimetric iodine affinity procedure. Generally, the values obtained from the physicochemical characterization of Moringa Oleifera Lam starch show that it has high potential for industrial application especially in the food, textile and pharmaceutical industries.