Health Benefits of Uses and Applications of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> in Bakery Products

• Published in: Plants
• Main Authors: Paula García Milla, Rocío Peñalver, Gema Nieto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Subjects: <i>Moringa</i>; natural preservatives; bakery products; functional food
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/2/318

<i>Moringa oleifera</i> belongs to the Moringaceae family and is the best known of the native <i>Moringa oleifera</i> genus. For centuries, it has been used as a system of Ayurvedic and Unani medicine and has a wide range of nutritional and bioactive compounds, including proteins, essential amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, fibre, vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, phytosterols and others. These characteristics allow it to have pharmacological properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, cardioprotective, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective properties. The entire <i>Moringa oleifera</i> plant is edible, including its flowers, however, it is not entirely safe, because of compounds that have been found mainly in the root and bark, so the leaf was identified as the safest. <i>Moringa oleifera</i> is recognised as an excellent source of phytochemicals, with potential applications in functional and medicinal food preparations due to its nutritional and medicinal properties; many authors have experimented with incorporating it mainly in biscuits, cakes, brownies, meats, juices and sandwiches. The results are fascinating, as the products increase their nutritional value; however, the concentrations cannot be high, as this affects the organoleptic characteristics of the supplemented products. The aim of this study is to review the application of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> in bakery products, which will allow the creation of new products that improve their nutritional and functional value.