Journal of Advance Research in Applied Chemistry 1 VOL 1 ISSUE 1 July 2015 Paper 1 Journal of The International Association of Advanced Technology and Science Nutritional and Physico-Chemical Evaluations of Moringa oleifera Seedlings and Oil Siyanbola T.O. 1* , Edobor-Osoh A. 1 , Ajanaku C.O. 1 , Akinsiku A.A. 1 , Adedapo E.A. 1 , Aladesuyi O. 1 , Olanrewaju I.O. 1 , Jokotagba O.A. 2 1 Department of Chemistry, Covenant University, P.M.B. 1023, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria 2 Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, P.M.B. 1020, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, Nigeria Corresponding Author: tolu.siyanbola@covenantuniversity.edu.ng Abstract This work was intended to respectively examine the proximate analysis; mineral compositions and physico- chemical parameters of Moringa oleifera seeds and its extracted seed oil. Harvested seedlings of Moringa oleifera plant obtained from Chukwun community in Kaduna State of Nigeria presented an oil yield of 42.51%. Percentage values of 3.47, 6.84, 3.99, 26.48, 48.29 and 12.44 respectively represents the moisture content, crude fibre content, total ash, protein content, crude fat content and carbohydrate content of the seeds. The mineral elemental concentration carried out showed potassium having the highest concentration of 368.95 mg/kg while zinc concentration was the lowest (6.82). Physico-chemical examinations of its seed oil reveal 194.75 mg KOH/g sample, 68.41 gICl/100g sample, and 5.6 mg KOH/g sample respective values for saponification, iodine and acid values. The findings from this investigation show that Moringa oleifera seed and oil extracted from it could be consumed and its oil could be used as base materials for several industrial processes. Keyword: Chukun, Moringa oleifera, Crude fibre, Physico-chemical, Industrial, Mineral. Introduction Moringa oleifera is a popular domestic plant known for its versatile use in the area of food and medicine. It is native to Indian subcontinent and now domesticated in the tropics and subtropical areas of the world (Fozia et al. 2012). It is commonly called “benzoil tree”, “drumstick tree” or “horse radish tree”, “miracle tree” in English (USDA, 2014), “Okwe oyibo” in Igbo, “Zogeli” in Hausa and “Ewe igbale” in Yoruba speaking people of Nigeria (Anwar et al., 2007). Moringa oleifera belongs to the family Moringaceae comprising of about fourteen different species. The 5 to 10 m height tree can survive severe climatic conditions such as wide range of rainfall calculated at 250 mm and above 3000 mm, pH 5.0 to 9.0 and in barren soil (Morton, 1991; Fozia et al. 2012). In the tropical and sub-tropical countries, the leaves, flowers, fruits and immature pods of the tree form part of orthodox diets. The leaves are extremely rich in Vitamin A, B and C, protein and essential