Physical and chemical characterization of Moringa oleifera Lam seed from Brazil during two years in storage under refrigeration

Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) a biopolymer that has been gaining prominence in water treatment, the cationic protein acts as a clarifying agent because destabilizes particles contained in a liquid medium. The present study evaluated the physical and chemical characterization of MO seeds from Brazil during storage. MO samples (in triplicate) from Aracaju–SE- BR, harvested in same period and stored under refrigeration for two years in a plastic recipient, were analyzed lipid, protein, ashes, moisture and carbohydrates utilizing AOAC Methods. Data were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05) using SAS for three different times: Zero (T), one year (T1) and two years (T2). Protein and moisture values were different for all times and reduced during the storage. At first time (T), MO samples show 26.72%, after one year (T1) reduced for 26.40% and after two years (T2) 25.15% for protein. For moisture we found 8.49% (T), 5.40% (T1) and 5.23% (T2). Analyzing lipid, ashes and carbohydrates composition, MO samples present no meaningful difference between T1 and T2, but they were different from T. We found for lipid 33.98% (T), 30.65% (T1) and 30.51% (T2). Ashes values were around 2.56% (T) and 2.45% (T2). Lipid and ashes values were reduced during the storage, while the carbohydrates had increased (28.25% - T, 35.09% - T1 and 35.66% for T2). We concluded that the storage has degraded principally protein and moisture, considering that proteins are the coagulating agent in MO, the occurred changes during storage can influence coagulation and flocculation efficiency in water treatment.