Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2017-11-06T12:38:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Milena Calado da Silva Almeida.pdf: 794987 bytes, checksum: d187237fbec76bdf0724c427b27465a3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-06T12:38:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Milena Calado da Silva Almeida.pdf: 794987 bytes, checksum: d187237fbec76bdf0724c427b27465a3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The spotted moray, Gymnothorax moringa, Muraenidae family, is an important species of marine fish, abundant in coral reefs, rocky bottoms and even in sandy areas covered with vegetation. It is very common in the Tropical Atlantic where it occurs along its western border, From North Carolina and Bermuda, to the southeast coats of Brazil. In the present work, the feeding habits of the species were studied, by means of its diet composition. With this objective, 403 stomachs were analyzed, of which only 126 (24.3%) had contents. Only seven food items were identified, all of them teleosts. The index of relative importance (IIR) was used to identify the order of importance of each item. The prey item with the highest IIR was the goatfish, Pseudopeneus maculatus, followed by other teleosts. The repletion index (empty ¼ filled ² / 4 filled and filled) was also determined, whereby 74.6% of the stomachs were empty, 8.5% ¼ filled, 3.1% ½ filled, and 12.7% were full. There was no stomach 3/4 filled. For the study of their reproductive biology, 416 specimens, caught from January 2013 to December 2014, were analyzed. It was possible to identify the sex of 370 individuals: 183 males, with a total length (CT) ranging from 47 cm to 109 cm (mean 73.8 cm) and 187 females, with CT between 47 cm and 97 cm (mean 70.0 cm). The average fertility was 30.332 oocytes. The monthly mean gonosomatic index (IGS) and the distribution of maturation stages suggest a higher reproductive activity for the species in Pernambuco coast, during summer months, between October and January. / A moréia-pintada, Gymnothorax moringa, pertencente à família Muraenidae, é uma importante espécie de peixe ósseo marinho, sendo abundante em fundos de coral, rochas e até mesmo em áreas arenosas com cobertura de vegetação. É muito comum no Atlântico Tropical onde ocorre, em sua margem ocidental, desde a Carolina do Norte e Bermudas, até o sudeste do Brasil. No presente trabalho, os aspectos alimentares da espécie foram estudados através da composição da sua dieta. Foram analisados 403 estômagos, dos quais apenas 126 (24,3%) apresentavam algum conteúdo. Foram identificados 7 itens alimentares, todos teleósteos, tendo sido utilizado o índice de importância relativa (IIR) para se estabelecer a ordem de importância de cada item. A presa com maior IIR foi o saramonete, Pseudopeneus maculatus, seguido de outos teleósteos. Também foi determinado o índice de repleção (vazio, ¼ preenchido, ½ preenchido, 3/4 preenchido e cheio), segundo o qual 74,6% dos estômagos encontravam-se vazios, 8,5% ¼ preenchidos, 3,1% ²/4 preenchidos e 12,7% encontravam-se cheios. Não houve estômagos com 3/4 preenchidos. Para o estudo de biologia reprodutiva, foram analisados 416 exemplares de moréia-pintada, capturados no período de janeiro de 2013 a dezembro de 2014, tendo sido possível a identificação do sexo de 370 indivíduos: 183 machos, com comprimento total (CT), variando entre 47 cm e 109 cm (média de 73,8 cm), e 187 fêmeas, com CT entre 47 cm e 97 cm, (média de 70,0 cm). A fecundidade media foi igual a 30.332 ovócitos. Os dados de variação mensal do IGS e dos estágios de maturação sugerem uma maior atividade reprodutiva para a espécie na costa pernambucana, nos meses de verão, entre outubro e janeiro.

The intimal hyperplasia remains as a challenge to vascular interventions because it causes vessel lumen reduction with weaken blood flow to the tissues, leading to cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction, stroke and limb amputations. Moringa oleifera has shown efficiency to reduce serum cholesterol by 52% and 86% of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid arteries of rabbits with hypercholesterolemic regimen, showing thus considerable potential to prevent cardiovascular diseases and myointimal hyperplasia. The Moringa oleifera has a powerful antioxidant activity, effects: anti-inflammatory, hipolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-tumor and anti-diabetes responses, resulting from its polyphenol components. These effects may converge for inhibiting myointimal hyperplasia. The sample consisted of rabbits with atherosclerosis induced by egg yolk and endothelial denudation of the right external iliac artery by balloon. The Group “Cz” was treated with cilostazol 50 mg/day. Group “Mo” treated with 200 mg/kg body weight daily of Moringa and Group “SF” was treated with 10 ml/day, all orally treated for five weeks. Primary variable was the mean difference of myointimal hyperplasia. The secondary variables were the average vessel wall thickness in each group, the means of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL and immunohistochemistry: the average area of C4d and monoclonal HHF35. The sample was estimated in 30 rabbits divided in three groups of ten animals. As results, the average difference of myointimal hyperplasia assessed by ANOVA analysis of variance (one way) resulted in a statistically significant difference between groups (p<0.0001), with higher average reduction of myointimal wall thickness in the group “Cz”, what shows a better response to treatment with cilostazol. The evaluation of the initial and final average of total cholesterol by analysis of variance; ANOVA (two way) between the groups showed statistically significant results (p=0.0043), also presenting greater reduction by treatment with cilostazol. HDL initial and final means in each group evaluated by analysis of variance; ANOVA (two-way) between the groups, showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.0044), reflecting higher average or increased HDL by treatment with Moringa. As conclusion, the average difference of myointimal hyperplasia in the iliac artery of rabbits with arteriosclerosis, treated with Moringa oleifera compared to cilostazol, presented a greater reduction in cilostazol treatment group. / A hiperplasia da íntima permanece um desafio às intervenções vasculares por provocar redução da luz dos vasos com diminuição do fluxo sanguíneo aos tecidos, levando a complicações cardiovasculares como infarto do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral e amputação de membros. A Moringa oleifera tem mostrado reduzir o colesterol sérico em 52% e a placa aterosclerótica em 86% nas carótidas de coelhos em dieta hipercolesterolêmica, mostrando assim, potencial considerável para prevenir doenças cardiovasculares e a hiperplasia miointimal. A Moringa oleifera apresenta potente ação antioxidante, efeitos: anti-inflamatório, hipolipemiante, hipocolesterolemiante, anti-hipertensivo, antitumoral e antidiabético, resultantes de seus componentes polifenóicos. Esses efeitos podem convergir para a inibição da hiperplasia miointimal. A amostra foi constituída de coelhos com aterosclerose induzida pela gema de ovo e desnudação endotelial da artéria ilíaca externa direita por balão. O Grupo (Cz) foi tratado com Cilostazol 50 mg/dia, o Grupo (Mo) tratado com 200 mg/kg de peso corporal de moringa ao dia e o Grupo (SF) tratado com 10 mL/dia, todos tratados por via oral durante cinco semanas. A variável primária foi a diferença de média de hiperplasia miointimal. As variáveis secundárias foram a média de espessura da parede em cada grupo, as médias de Colesterol total, Triglicerídeos, HDL, LDL, VLDL e na imuno-histoquímica: a média de área de C4d e de HHF35 monoclonal. A amostra foi estimada em 30 coelhos, divididos em três grupos de dez animais. Nos resultados, a diferença de média de hiperplasia miointimal avaliada por análise de variância ANOVA (one way) resultou em diferença estatísticamente significante entre os grupos (p<0,0001), com maior redução de média de espessura de parede miointimal no grupo (Cz), mostrando melhor resposta ao tratamento com o cilostazol. A avaliação da média inicial e final do colesterol total pela análise de variância; ANOVA (two way) entre os grupos, apresentou resultados estatísticamente significativos (p=0,0043), mostrando também, maior redução pelo tratamento com o cilostazol. A média inicial e final do HDL em cada grupo, avaliados pela análise de variância; ANOVA (two-way), entre os grupos, apresentou diferença estatisticamente significantes (p=0,0044), evidenciando maior média ou aumento de HDL pelo tratamento com a Moringa oleifera. Em conclusão, a diferença de média de hiperplasia miointimal na artéria ilíaca de coelhos com aterosclerose, tratados com Moringa oleifera, comparado com cilostazol, apresentou maior redução no grupo tratado com cilostazol.

Orientador: José Euclides Stipp Paterniani / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T13:50:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arantes_CamilaClementina_D.pdf: 4835208 bytes, checksum: 827e110b33ce1ea934a1d6cffa0675f9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Coagulantes naturais e sistemas de filtração em múltiplas etapas integram as tecnologias de tratamento de água indicadas para comunidades rurais ou isoladas. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo avaliar a potencialidade do uso do coagulante à base de sementes de Moringa oleifera na forma de sachês no tratamento de água por filtração. Sachês confeccionados com diferentes materiais (filtro de papel e geotêxtil sintético nãotecido com diferentes gramaturas), contendo 2,0 gramas de pó de sementes de Moringa oleifera, foram avaliados quanto à capacidade de dispersão de proteína e elevação da turbidez em água destilada ao longo de 24 horas. Posteriormente, em ensaios de clarificação de água com turbidez de 60,0 NTU foram testados sachês de filtro de papel contendo 0,6; 0,8 e 1,0 grama de pó em diferentes condições de dispersão (gradiente de velocidade de 10 e 20 s-1 por 30, 35 e 40 minutos). Em uma terceira etapa, sachês contendo 0,8 grama de pó foram testados em um sistema de filtração composto por pré-filtro ascendente e filtro lenta. Nos ensaios de dispersão da proteína constatou-se que os cinco tipos de sachês apresentaram potencial para uso, tendo sido adotado o sachê filtro de papel nas demais fases da pesquisa. Na sedimentação, verificou-se que os sachês contendo 0,8 e 1,0 grama de pó nas condições de dispersão 10 s-1 por 35 e 40 minutos e 20 s-1 por 30, 35 e 40 minutos não apresentam diferenças significativas quando comparados ao coagulante líquido. Nos ensaios de filtração houve diferenças significativas entre o uso do coagulante líquido e sachê no que se refere à redução de turbidez e cor aparente. Com o uso dos sachês o pré-filtro foi menos eficiente, tendo sido observadas reduções médias de turbidez igual 73,5% para o sachê e 82,5% para o coagulante líquido. No entanto, na filtração lenta a redução média de turbidez foi de 83,9% com o uso de sachês e de 60,2% para coagulante líquido. Para cor aparente foi constatado comportamento semelhante. Embora os sachês tenham apresentado potencial de uso quando se considera a redução de turbidez e cor aparente, a carreira de filtração teve menor duração nestes tratamentos. Desta forma conclui-se que o uso dos sachês pode ser recomendado, mas faz-se necessário o desenvolvimento de melhorias desta metodologia com o intuito de elevar a duração das carreiras de filtração / Abstract: Natural coagulants and filtration systems are suitable water treatment technologies in rural or isolated communities. This research aims to evaluate the potential use of the Moringa oleifera seeds in pouches as a coagulant for water treatment by filtration system. Pouchs made from different materials (filter paper and nonwoven fabrics) containing 2.0 g powdered Moringa oleifera seeds were evaluated for protein dispersion and increased turbidity in distilled water over 24 h. Subsequently pouches containing 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 g powder were tested for clarification of water turbidity in the range of 60.0 NTU. The dispersion conditions were velocity gradient of 10 and 20 s-1 by 30, 35, and 40 minutes. In a third stage, pouches containing 0.8 g powder were submitted to the filtration system formed for one up flow gravel pre-filter and one slow sand filter. In the protein dispersion test, it was found that the five types of pouches showed great potential to be used in water treatments, and the filter paper pouch was adopted in the other stages of the present research. For the sedimentation test, no significant differences were observed for the pouches containing 0.8 and 1.0 g powder when compared to liquid coagulant in the following dispersion conditions: 10 s-1 for 35 and 40 min, and 20 s-1 for 30, 35 and 40 min. In the filtration experiments significant differences were observed for the liquid coagulant and pouches regarding the reduction of turbidity and apparent color. Although the up flow gravel pre-filter was less effective with the use of pouches, with an average reduction of turbidity of 73.5 and 82.5% for the pouches and liquid coagulant, respectively, the effluent of the slow filter presented lower turbidity, with an average reduction of 83.9 and 60.1% for the pouches and liquid coagulant, respectively. For the parameter apparent color, an analogous behavior was observed. Although the pouches showed great potential to be used considering the reduction of turbidity and apparent color, the filtration run was shorter. Thus it is concluded that the use of pouches may be recommended, but it is necessary to develop improvements of this method in order to increase the duration of filtration run / Doutorado / Saneamento e Ambiente / Doutora em Engenharia Civil

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a tree with great potential as it is fast growing and drought tolerant. Amongst the tree’s multitude of benefits, it can also be used to produce a biodiesel fuel. However, prior to the establishment of commercial plantations, all cultivation aspects of this promising tree have to be understood. Temperature is a significant climatic factor influencing both geographical plant distribution and growth, and since M. oleifera trees are naturally found in tropical climates around the world, the extent of their adaptability to cooler climates was the main objective of this study. Trees were cultivated from seed and germinated in a controlled greenhouse environment at the Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria. After germination, 50% of the seedlings were hardened-off by placing them outside under ambient growing temperatures, while the rest remained inside the greenhouse. With trial commencement, 132 of both the hardened and non-hardened seedlings were planted into 10 ℓ plastic bags and randomly placed into three temperature-controlled greenhouses, each with a different fluctuating night/day temperature regime namely; 10/20°C ± 2°C, 15/25°C ± 2°C and 20/30°C ± 2°C. In addition, half the trees within each temperature regime were treated with the growth regulator paclobutrazol to determine its effect on growth/flowering at different temperatures. During the 224-day trial period, biweekly measurements of tree height, stem diameter and leaf area estimates of each individual tree within all three temperature regimes were taken. Despite germination percentages being slightly higher at the low 10/20°C regime, the MGT, germination rate, uniformity and seedling growth were superior at the higher 20/30°C regime. The temperature induced seed dormancy at the 20/30°C regime, could be overcome by an incubation period at lower temperatures, as fewer instances of seed dormancy were observed at the 10/20°C regime. The increase in temperature resulted in significant (P≤0.05) growth rate increases of over 650% between the 10/20°C and 20/30°C and 250% between the 10/20°C and 15/25°C night/day temperature regimes. In addition, the 20/30°C temperature treatment, although fluctuative, consistently had the highest leaf area over the entire trial period. Hardening-off of trees during the seedling stage, significantly (P≤0.05) increased the final tree height by 3.09X, 1.44X and 1.23X, compared to their non hardened-off counterparts under the 10/20°C, 15/25°C and 20/30°C temperature regimes respectively. Leaf thickness decreased by a significant (P≤0.05) 43.1% with increase in temperature between the 10/20°C and 20/30°C regime, mostly due to a thinner mesophyll layer. The efficacy of paclobutrazol on M. oleifera growth was found to be temperature dependant, reducing growth at 10/20°C, while increasing growth at both the higher 15/25°C and 20/30°C regimes. Flowering however remained unaffected by paclobutrazol. The highest instances of flowering and pollen viability were observed at the 15/25°C regime. The absence of inflorescence induction at the 20/30°C regime was responsible for the reduced flowering, signifying the necessity of vernalization prior to flowering. Even though all the results confirm the preference of M. oleifera trees towards a tropical climate, satisfactory growth with possibly improved flowering during the hot summer months in certain sub-tropical climates is achievable. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

The objective of the study was to determine the antioxidant activity (AA) and the quality of meat from goats and chickens supplemented with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves. For the first experimental chapter, eighteen 9 months old Xhosa lop-eared, castrated goats with an average body weight of 14 kg were used. There were three supplements namely, Moringa oleifera leaves, sunflower cake and grass hay. There were six goats per supplement. The goats were slaughtered after 60 days of supplementation and the Muscularis longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) of the right side of each goat was used to determine fatty acid composition, total phenolic content (TPC), diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2, 2 azino-bis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic diammonium salt (ABTS) assay and reducing power assay of meat. Glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were taken as parameters to evaluate in vivo AA of the meat. For the second experiment, twelve male broilers were used in four groups of dietary supplementation. Three broilers were allocated per group. After slaughter, the breast muscle was sampled for total phenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, TPC, ABTS, GSH, CAT, SOD, lipid peroxidation, ultimate pH (pH24), colour (L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness)), WB-shear force and cooking loss. In both chapters Moringa leaves exhibited the highest AA. Meat from goats supplement with Moringa exhibited the highest AA. Meat from broilers supplemented with a mixture of Moringa leaves, broiler finisher and crushed maize, had the highest (P < 0.05) pH24 and L* values. Moringa can therefore be used to preserve meat without changing the quality of meat.

Este proyecto de tesis surge al comprobar la existencia de toneladas de moringa disponibles en el Perú y el incremento de producción de la misma que desafortunadamente no se vincula con la demanda nacional de aquella; debido al desconocimiento, escasa valoración y el hábito de consumo poco desarrollado de nutracéuticos en el país, que creemos es una de las formas de consumo más coherentes con las potencialidades de la moringa (como nutracéutico). EE.UU., por otro lado, al representar uno de los mercados más competitivos en cuanto a la comercialización de nutracéuticos creímos podría dar respuesta a tal disyuntiva. Este informe, por tanto, tuvo como objetivo general, determinar la existencia de una oportunidad de mercado para la moringa oleífera procedente de Perú en el segmento de nutracéuticos de EE.UU. Este a su vez fue dividido en 7 objetivos específicos, que en resumen buscaron demostrar las cualidades de la moringa como producto nutracéutico además de evaluar la viabilidad del mercado a ofertarla en temas de reglamentación comercial; volumen, estructura y crecimiento del mismo; competencia; precios y estructura de acuerdo a los del segmento; canales de distribución más rentables y comportamiento de consumidores finales. Cada uno de ellos fue medido de forma distinta pero que en conjunto respondieron a variados análisis de entrevistas de expertos en temas de moringa, análisis cuantitativos para temas de proyecciones y datos claves procesados de estudios norteamericanos del segmento de nutracéuticos en la actualidad, entre otros. Así pues, se obtuvo como conclusión final la efectiva oportunidad de mercado por cada uno de estos objetivos.

No description available.

The electro-kinetic characteristics of different material bioreactor columns for treating water and waste water are experimentally studied. Separate columns of unsaturated gravels (~6mm) and ball clay were assessed for electro-kinetic characteristics by dosing water at a hydraulic loading rate of 50ml/min and 10ml/min. Similarly locally available organic materials such as sawdust, Moringa oleifera sheets and textile clothe pieces were also empirically analyzed. Size effects of the bio-reactor columns were also studied. The effluent from textile clothe and gravel reactor respectively showed an increase in pH while a depreciation in pH in the effluent was observed in the Moringa Oleifera reactor and sawdust reactor. This may be due to leaching of acidic organic components for sawdust and Moringa Oleifera . In gravels effluent pH depreciated with increase in flow rate but the general trend of the effluent pH curve showed an initial improvement before it slowed down to an asymptote for a specific constant dosage and height. A multi-parameter stochastic linear model for change in pH as a function of column height, dosage rate, time for specific volume discharge and change in electrical conductivity between influent and effluent was derived. A general stochastic model was also developed to characterize pH change in any bioreactor irrespective of the material media. Thirty centimeters of gravel exhibited an increase in conductivity with increase in flow rate while conductivity dipped with increasing flow rate when the gravel column height was halved. The measure of organic compounds in water decreased with increasing percolation rate through gravel. The chemical oxygen demand ratio within the gravel improved to unity showing increased containment of organic compounds with time. Organic textile clothes reactor also illustrated increased conductivity with increasing flow but conductivity dipped with increase in column height. For Moringa Oleifera reactors, a dosage of water at 10ml/min showed a significant improvement in conductivity with increase in column height. An initial depreciation in temperature curve was observed within clay and gravel reactor. With increase in depth there was an increase in temperature within the gravel as the saturation by water improved. In sawdust reactors this was not the trend. A birth process model is proposed to simulated temperature within a bioreactor as a function of time irrespective of any specific material used as bioreactor media.

La poudre des feuilles du Moringa oleifera, plante (sub-) tropicale utilisée dans la lutte contre la malnutrition à hauteur de 10 g par jour, a une richesse nutritionnelle exceptionnelle dont la lutéine, les vitamines liposolubles (E et A) et celles hydrosolubles (C, Bl, B2etB3). Mais certains méfaits sont associés aux excès des vitamines liposolubles, surtout la vitamine A, suivant la forme moléculaire ingérée et la concentration variable au cours du temps. Ainsi, cette étude se propose de connaître le contenu en certaines formes moléculaires de la vitamine A et en lutéine de la poudre des feuilles du Moringa oleifera conservée à température ambiante du début de la récolte jusqu'à six mois de conservation. Pour cela, une récolte sur des feuilles jeunes et matures a été faite sur quatre parties du terrain d'expérimentation de l'ISABU Moso en deux temps différents (juillet et août), séchées et mises en poudre, conservées dans des cartons imperméables aux U.V., analysées avec le protocole et la librairie des caroténoïdes INAF 2007 et comparée aux standards; ce qui a permis de révéler la lutéine, le P et le cis- P-carotène dont les concentrations élevées les premiers jours suivant la récolte ont été suivies mensuellement au cours de la conservation et montré une dégradation selon le mois de récolte et le degré de luminosité du terrain. Les concentrations initiales des nutriments et l'allure de leur dégradation dans ce matériel analytique permettrait de proposer un délai limite et de nouvelles quantités d'utilisation de ce complément alimentaire chez les enfants et les adultes en se référant aux doses quotidiennes recommandées selon la catégorie d'âge. De nouvelles normes d'utilisation sécuriseront plus le consommateur et une curiosité scientifique est suscitée au niveau des suppléments alimentaires d'origine végétale.

Thesis (Ph. D. Agric. (Plant Production)) --University of Limpopo, 2019 / Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose fast growing tree which is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world due to its numerous benefits. The benefits include medicinal use, industrial use, soil fertility, water purification, climate change mitigation as well as of nutritional value for humans and livestock. Recently, many areas globally have been rendered vulnerable to climate change as well as food insecurity. Climate change increases irregularities of rainfall and temperature patterns in semi-arid conditions. One practical way to address this challenge in the agricultural sector is to introduce more trees crop species which are found to be more tolerant than annual crops under harsh growing conditions. Moringa is one species that could be considered under variable climatic conditions for positive outcomes through climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as life sustenance against food insecurity threats. Production of moringa in South Africa is exclusively for leaf processing and consumption. To date, there is no documented information available about seed and oil yield production of moringa mainly in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to generate knowledge on moringa growth, nutritional composition, seed and oil yield production as well as its response to drought through gaseous exchange parameters, as influenced by plant density under diverse agro-ecological locations in Limpopo Province. The study was conducted in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, from November 2013 to January 2016. The study area falls within the semi-region which is characterized by low and erratic rainfall which predominately falls in summer as well as extremely low or high temperatures. A survey was conducted from November 2013 to September 2014 in five districts of the Limpopo Province. Focus group discussion, questionnaires and field observations were used for data collection. A total of 150 moringa growers formed part of the focus group and a questionnaire was administered to only thirty-one farmers, who constitute the population of farmers producing moringa within an area of 0.25 ha or more. A second study was conducted at two experimental sites in the Limpopo Province of northern part of South Africa to evaluate for the first time, the effect of plant density and cutting interval on biomass production and chemical composition of moringa grown under two diverse climatic conditions. Four different planting densities (435 000, 300 000, 200 000 and 100 000 plants/ha) were arranged in a randomized complete block design and experimental samples were replicated four times. A third study was conducted over two years to achieve additional objectives which included evaluation of gaseous exchange, biomass, seed, and oil yield. Untreated seeds of Moringa oleifera were used for establishing the trial at densities of 5 000, 2 500, 1 667 and 1 250 plants ha-1, with eight replicates. The same study was used to achieve the objective on gaseous exchange in comparison with other two naturally growing tree species of mopane (Colophospermum mopane) and marula (Sclerocarya birrea) trees growing within the moringa trial vicinity. The study was further used to evaluate the effect of planting density on biomass, grain, oil yield production and nutritional composition of Moringa oleifera trees. The last part of the study was carried out in the five districts of the Limpopo Province to determine the influence of soil physical and chemical properties on the nutritional composition of moringa leaves. The farms that were identified during the survey were also used to achieve other objectives of the study. In order to determine soil and leaf nutritional composition, soil samples were collected and analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The harvested leaves were dried at room temperature and their nutritional compositions were determined using standard methods. Findings from the studies revealed the following: The survey indicated that there are potential moringa farmers in all the districts of the province, with the intention to commercialize the tree. Majority of farmers grow moringa on 0.251.0 ha and have been producing the crop for the past 2 years. The study on planting density and cutting frequency revealed satisfactory nutritional composition in the leaves across the cutting frequencies and that, an increase in the plant density led to enhanced biomass production. The study on the monthly and seasonal gaseous exchange revealed significant differences in net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, sub-stomatal CO2 and stomatal conductance. However, planting densities of Moringa oleifera had no significant effect on all the gaseous exchange parameters measured. In a comparison of moringa with other tree species growing in the vicinity of moringa, the results differed significantly in gaseous exchange. The highest activity in photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) and sub-stomatal CO2 (Ci), as well as higher stomatal density, was found in moringa. The findings from the biomass, seed yield and oil yield study showed that the increase in measured biomass, seed and oil yield increased with increasing planting density. However, seed oil concentration was non-significant. Findings from the ecology study revealed that moringa improved soil nutritional composition; mainly in areas where the trees were more than three years old as compared to control soils where moringa had not been planted. The soil nutritional composition differed with soil textural classes with the clay soils recording higher nutrient ion values. The study revealed that moringa can be produced in many locations of the Limpopo Province without negatively affecting leaf nutritional composition. Moringa leaves contain high level of nutrients even under marginal production areas irrespective of the planting density. A population of 5000 plants ha-1 can be used for seed and oil yield production where temperatures are favourable for improved farmers’ livelihoods. The results strongly showed with no doubt, the superiority of moringa in capturing more carbon among the three species. Moringa maintained good leaf yield even under drought condition, which is an indication of its potential to act as a good sink for carbon dioxide absorption. It can, therefore, be recommended for many parts of Limpopo Province for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and food security. KEY CONCEPTS: agro-ecology, biomass, climate change, commercialization, drought, food security, gas exchange, leaf chemical composition, location, Moringa oleifera, oil, seed, soil textural class, survey, trees, weather, yield