Differential composition of reserves and oil of Moringa oleifera seeds cultivated in states of Northeast Brazil

ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera (Lam.) is an oilseed rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The seed reserve composition can change according to environmental conditions of precipitation and temperature. Thus, this work aimed to characterize the M. oleifera seed and its vegetable oil from plants cultivated in different states of Northeast Brazil. Seeds and soil samples were collected in Bahia (BA), Ceará (CE), Paraíba (PB), and Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Regarding climate variables, RN and BA had the lowest (395 mm) and highest (880 mm) precipitation during the collection year, respectively. The size and mass of the seeds and almonds, and the characterization of the flour and the oil of the ‘moringa’ seeds were measured. The largest seeds and almonds were collected in BA and the smallest in RN. The highest protein and moisture contents were obtained in the seeds from CE. The seeds from RN had the highest oil content, unsaturated fatty acids, ashes, acidity, and saponification levels. Thus, RN presents the smallest seeds of M. oleifera with higher content of mineral salts (ashes), oil, and monounsaturated fatty acids.