ABSTRACT
The analysis of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts when grown on different substrates provides the opportunity to examine a set of secondary metabolites, which can be utilized for various purposes, as nutrients and in medicine. Taking those factors into consideration, an experiment was set up in a completely randomized block, conducted with seven treatments: (1) 100% quartzipsamment; (2) quartzipsamment 60% x 40% vermicompost; (3) quartzipsamment 80% x 20% vermicompost; (4) quartzipsamment 60% x 40% carbonized rice husk; (5) quartzipsamment 80% x 20% carbonized rice husk; (6) quartzipsamment 60% x 40% clay soil; and (7) quartzipsamment 40% x 60% clay soil, in full sun, with four replicates per treatment. The shoot growth evaluation was performed at 105 days, with the leaves collected, dried in a forced ventilation oven and later crushed and weighed. With the material obtained, methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared at 20% and submitted to phytochemical analysis. The presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, cardioactive heterosides, alkaloids and reducing sugars was detected. These compounds are probably responsible for conferring a broad spectrum of biological activities attributed to the leaves of the species. However, the present study suggests caution in its indiscriminate use due to the great presence of cardioactive heterosides. The greater or lesser amount of metabolites was influenced by the different substrates and, depending on the type of use of the species, different types of crops would be necessary to increase or decrease certain compounds present in its leaves.
Keywords:
secondary metabolites; growth analysis; Moringaceae
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