Resumo

VILLARREAL GOMEZ, Alejandro  e  ORTEGA ANGULO, Keila Johana. Review of characteristics and uses of the plant Moringa oleifera. Investig. desarro. [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.2, pp.309-330. ISSN 0121-3261.

The knowledge of the Moringa oleífera plant and its possible impact on solving food insecurity issues is presented in this article through the review and analysis of studies that recognize its important properties and uses in medicine, chemical industry, agriculture and nutrition. From the variety of benefits this species offers to humanity in terms of medical, chemical and agricultural products, we can highlight biogas, animal fodder, household cleaning products, cosmetics and medical products, water purification, among others (Fuglie, 1999). Finally the importance of Moringa oleífera plant is relevant on food security; this is because its potential benefits are many and the levels of anti-nutritional substances are very low. There are no arguments against consumption, becoming this way a nutritious and beneficial food which offers very attractive features to establish its farming (Olson y Fahey, 2011), and that if studies show the nutritional richness of the plant and its bio-availability in a sufficient way, we would have a powerful natural remedy to combat child and family malnutrition, especially in vulnerable populations.

Palavras-chave : Moringa oleífera; food insecurity; food security; undernourishment.

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