TITLE:
Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Potential of Hydromethanolic Extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam. Flowers from Senegal
AUTHORS:
Mada Faye, Abdoulaye Dramé, Ibrahima Faye, Mamoudou Diao, Khady Ndour, Aminata Sow, Said Gharby
KEYWORDS:
Moringa oleifera Flowers, Senegal, Secondary Metabolites, Antioxidant Activity
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.17 No.6,
June
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study investigates the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of hydromethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera L. flowers harvested in Kaolack, Senegal. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several classes of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, polyterpenes, leucoanthocyanins, etc.), whose distribution varies according to the polarity of the extraction solvents. Quantitative analysis showed a significant concentration of phenolic acids (31.47 ± 0.10 mg GAE/g) and a high content of flavonoids (291 ± 20.035 mg QE/g), confirming a high richness in antioxidants. Biological activity, assessed by DPPH and FRAP tests, indicated a percentage of inhibition of 48.62 ± 2.34% (DPPH) and a reduction capacity of 18.609 ± 0.552 mg EAA/g (FRAP). In addition, pigment analysis revealed the presence of chlorophyll a (1.37 mg/100g), chlorophyll b (3.70 mg/100g) and carotenoids (7.7 mg/kg), contributing to overall antioxidant activity. On the basis of the results obtained, moringa flowers are found to be a potential source of natural antioxidants due to their marked antioxidant activity.