Consumer Nutrition Knowledge of Moringa oleifera New-Installed in Southern Tunisia: Preservation of Mineral and Phytochemical Contents

Background and Objective: Amid global agricultural sustainability concerns, Moringa oleifera’s potential in Southern Tunisia is explored. The region’s challenges include aridity, limited land and water scarcity, hindering farmers. This study evaluates the suitability of the exotic plant for local cultivation to address these issues and enhance regional agriculture’s resilience and productivity. Materials and Methods: Ethnonutritional data were gathered via a modified questionnaire shared online, yielding 450 responses. Proximate analysis and mineral quantification were conducted using standard methods. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed on M. oleifera leaf extracts obtained via methanol, ethanol, hexane and water. Results: As 69% of respondents were aware of M. oleifera, with 40% using it. Leaves (88%), seeds (24%) and flowers (14%) were commonly used. Infusion was prevalent (67%) for cancer, digestive disorders and inflammation. Leavesrichness: 28.65% fiber, 46.87% dry matter, 18.17% protein, 20.73% minerals and 79.14% organic matter. Phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, diterpenes, triterpenes, phenols, phytosterols, tannins, flavonoids, amino acids and quinones. Conclusion: This study showed that M. oleifera retained its nutritional values and its rich compositional with the new planting conditions in an arid environment.