Profiling the effects of microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction techniques on the physicochemical attributes of Moringa oleifera seed oil and proteins

There is a constant search for biomaterials from natural products like plants for food and industrial applications.The work embodied in this report aimed at investigating the effects of microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction(MAE and SE) techniques on the functional physicochemical quality characteristics of Moringa oleifera seed oil and proteins extracts. M. oleifera seeds were ground to fine powders and oil was extracted by microwave-assisted and soxhlet extraction techniques using petroleum ether. Quality attributes including yield percent, moisture content,iodine, saponification, specific gravity, viscosity, p H, thiobarbituric acid, acid and peroxide values were measured. Mineral and vitamin contents, chemical/functional groups, fatty acid(FA) composition, and reducing power of the oil were evaluated. Metabolomics of protein extracted from the defatted powders were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR). M. oleifera oil from MAE and SE methods had good yield(34.25 ± 0.0%,28.75 ± 0.0%), low moisture content(0.008 ± 0.0%, 0.011 ± 0.0%), non-drying and unsaturated, moderately saponified, less dense(0.91 ± 0.01, 0.92 ± 0.02 g m L^(-1)), had Newtonian flow, were weakly acidic, showed good content of FAs, recorded strong potential for long shelf-life, showed stability against oxidative rancidity and enzymatic hydrolysis, had very rich deposits of micro-and macro-nutrients as well as water-soluble and lipidsoluble vitamins, and functional groups in the oil were reflective of its content of long-and medium-chain triglycerides(LCT and MCT). Monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids(MUFA and SFA) were detected and the oil has excellent ferric ion reducing power. NMR metabolomic assay revealed the presence of nine essential amino acids(EAAs) in the protein extract. MAE technique is a feasible and acceptable alternative for high throughput extraction of M. oleifera oil with high yield and excellent quality attributes. The study revealed that MAE did not impart any remarkable advantage(s) on the physicochemical properties of M. oleifera seed oil and protein compared to SE technique.

Biocoagulation of Direct Red-31 and Direct Yellow-12 Azo Dyes from Synthetic Wastew ater with Moringa Oleifera Seed Presscake

Batches experiments were carried out to study the removal potentials of Moringa oleifera seed presscake( MOSP),the residual solids of Moringa oleifera seed after oil extraction used as a natural coagulant for the removal of two direct azo dyes including Direct Red-31( DR-31) and Direct Yellow-12( DY-12). The results indicated that the MOSP contained active proteins which were active agents and efficient for the removal of the two dyes. Higher temperature and lower p H were favorable for dye removal. The removal rates of the two dyes increased with the increasing MOSP dosage. Inorganic salts improved the dye removal efficiencies by the salt-in effect that prompted the release of proteins from the MOSP particles. Suspended solid simulated by kaolin decreased the dye removal efficiencies because of the competition for active sites of the MOSP between the kaolin particles and the dye molecules. The most likely mechanism for the removal of the two dyes by using MOSP as coagulant was a combined effect of adsorption and neutralisation of charges and the nucleation of the MOSP particles. The results provide new insight into the MOSP utilization and development of new coagulant for dye removal.

Physio-Chemical Characteristics and Acid-Sulphate Reactions of Moringa Oleifera Seed Powder Cement Paste and Concrete

The evaluation of the effect of using moringa oleifera seed powder(MOSP)to partially replace cement by wt.%has been carried out.A mix parameter of 1:1.7:2.5,with designed strength of 20 kN-m^(2),and a cement content of 420 kg-m3,water-cementitious ratio of 0.5,to produce concrete specimens to which percentages of MOSP by wt.%of cement were added and cured for 90 days.Basic characteristics of the MOSP material were determined(Consistency and Setting times),and the concrete parameters workability,density,water absorption and compressive strength were also determined.The analysis of the experimental data collected on MOSP and MOSP-concrete confirmed that MOSP is substantially silicate(Quartz and Cristobalite).These have greatly to a large extent imparted on the quality of MOSP-concrete produced good quality concrete.The optimum replacement was at 0.2%wt.%of cement.