Mineral Composition and Distribution Analysis of Moringa oleifera Lam. Seeds

Moringa oleifera seeds, in addition to serving as a means of propagation, are edible and contribute to human nutrition. Understanding their mineral composition and distribution is crucial due to the essential role of minerals in plant physiology and human health. This study employed micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) techniques to analyze the composition and distribution of minerals in three treatments of M. oleifera seeds: the intact seeds (T1), the seeds without wings (T2), and the dehulled seeds (T3). The results identified eight minerals in the seeds: potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), silicon (Si), and aluminum (Al). There were significant differences in the content of Mg, S, K, Al, and Fe between treatments, while P, Ca, and Si did not show significant differences. Potassium was predominant in seeds with a seed coat, whereas sulfur was the most abundant in the seed kernel. Mineral distribution maps generated by μ-XRF analysis confirmed the localized concentration of specific minerals in specific seed parts. The variation in mineral composition among different seed components is associated with the functional roles of those parts. This finding also highlights the potential for selective use of M. olifeira seed parts based on their mineral content.