OPTIMIZING EXTRACTION CONDITIONS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM LEAF FOR PERCENT YIELD, TOTAL PHENOLICS CONTENT, TOTAL FLAVONOIDS CONTENT AND TOTAL RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY.

Moringa oleifera Lam has been used in traditional medicines since long time worldwide. Phenolics and flavonoids, as major phytoconstituents, assumed to be responsible for many of the biological activities. The quality and quantity of such phytoconstituents highly effected by extraction conditions. To obtain highest possible quality and quantity extract, the effects of different extraction solvents, extraction temperatures, maceration times and best ratio of dried powdered leaves to extraction solvent on percent yield, TPC, TFC and total radical scavenging activity were tested. The results reveals a significant effect of temperature on quantity and quality of extract. The effects of maceration time were directly related to temperature of extraction, while the ratio of dried powdered leaves to extraction solvent had a non-significant effect on both quantity and quality of the extract. Extraction of M. oleifera leaf with amiable and placid conditions was recommended for high quality and bioactive extract.