<div>Background: Herbs are abundantly grown throughout India&#39;s numerous states, which encourages the development of herbs-infused products that provide health advantages in addition to flavour and taste for functional dairy products. Hence, the present study was undertaken to develop functional chhana spread by using moringa leaves extractions as a source of antioxidants and phenolics. 
 
Methods: The chhana spread was formulated with moringa leaves extractions at different incorporation levels of 4%, 6%, and 8% and compared with control. The developed moringa chhana spread was investigated for its sensory characteristics, physico-chemical, antioxidant&nbsp;and phenolic properties. 
 
Result: The moringa leaves extraction with 6% incorporation level in chhana showed higher overall acceptability than others. Among the physico-chemical properties, there were no significant differences in moisture and lactose percentage between control and treated groups. As extraction levels in the chhana increased, protein, fat and ash percentages were significantly increased. Antioxidants and phenolic contents were found significantly higher in 8% of moringa leaves extraction group and lowest was found in control group. Consequently, moringa leaves extract could be used as a natural antioxidant and phenolic ingredient to develop a novel chhana spread.</div>

Development of Chhana Spread by Incorporating Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) Leaves Extract as a Source of Antioxidants and Phenolics

<div style="text-align: justify;">Though noodles are popular, it holds a notion of &lsquo;low fiber food&#39; as they are generally prepared from refined wheat flour, which by its nature lacks fiber. Hence an attempt was made to develop fiber enriched noodles by incorporating leaves of moringa (Moringa olifera) as a fiber source at different levels viz., 3, 4.5 and 6 % in which 3% was found to be the best based on cooking characteristics and sensory evaluation. The noodles thus prepared were packed in flexible polyethylene pouches and stored at room temperature and were further analyzed for physicochemical, cooking, and sensory characteristics at regular intervals of 60 days till 180 days of storage. All the analysis showed the non-significant difference during the storage period stating that the product is good till 180 days of storage. The dietary fiber was found to increase from 3.3 to 4.1%, and in vitro method of glycemic index (GI) analysis showed that the moringa fiber noodle was a low GI food when compared to the medium GI of control. The MUFA and PUFA content of moringa fiber noodles were increased to 3.4 and 2.2% respectively when compared to control.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Study on Development of Fiber-enriched Noodles using Moringa Leaves (Moringa olifera</div>

Background: Moringa leaf extract (MLE) is one of the natural ingredients that can improve the quality of preserved semen by preventing sperm lipid oxidation and increase the sperm storage time. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves extract on boar semen quality during short-term preservation at liquid state. 
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Methods: Four mature healthy Large White Yorkshire boars of about 1.5-2 years age group having good reproductive health was selected for the study. Ten ejaculates were collected from each boar. Each ejaculate was divided into 4 aliquots (equal volume and sperm concentration) and Moringa oleifera leaves extract&nbsp;(MLE) @ 0 &micro;g/ml (control), 100 &micro;g/ml, 200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml w/v was mixed in each aliquot after extension of semen samples with beltsville thaw solution (BTS) extender. The semen was evaluated for initial motility, percent live sperm, sperm abnormalities, sperm membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity and level of lipid peroxidation. Ten gilts/sows were artificially inseminated in each group with the liquid preserved semen to record the conception rates and litter size. 
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Result: The percent sperm motility, live sperm, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity of boar spermatozoa were decreased significantly (P&lt;0.01) while preserving the semen sample by using BTS extenders along with 100 &micro;g/ml,200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract at 18&deg;C for 48 hours. The mean percent of motile sperm, live sperm, intact plasma membrane, intact acrosome among the groups i.e., 100 &micro;g/ml, 200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract were increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) as compared to control at 24 and 48 hours of preservation. The mean percentage of sperm abnormalities and lipid peroxidation among the groups i.e., 100 &micro;g/ml, 200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract were increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) at 0, 24 and 48 (P&lt;0.01) at hours of preservation as compared to control group. The supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaves extract in BTS extender at concentration of 100 &micro;g/ml, 200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml significantly improved the Large White Yorkshire boar&rsquo;s semen quality during short term preservation at 18&deg;C as compared to control. The conception rate and average litter size at birth among the groups were increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) as compared to control (C). The significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher conception rate and litter size at birth was recorded in T3 group i.e. 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract supplemented semen. In conclusion, the concentration of 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract was found to be better among other concentrations. 
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Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaves Extract on Quality of Preserved Boar Semen

Background: The use of alternate feed resources like tree leaves is key element in addressing the problems derived from climate change and food shortages that demand establishment of sustainable feeding system for ruminants. 
 
Methods: A study was conducted on 36 Nellore cross ram lambs (6-7 months; 18.48&plusmn;0.29 kg BW) randomly allotted to six dietary treatments to evaluate the effect of 20% dietary inclusion of moringa (MOR) subabul (SBL) and guava (GVL) leaves either sole or in combination (MS and MG mixture incorporated at 60:40 and 40:60, respectively) in concentrate mixture on nutrient utilization, plane of nutrition and nitrogen balance. The control group concentrate mixture contained maize, de-oiled rice bran, cotton seed cake and soybean meal as major ingredients and in the 5 experimental concentrate mixtures, de-oiled rice bran and soybean meal were partially replaced with moringa (MOR20), subabul (SBL20), guava (GVL20), moringa and subabul mixture (MS20) and moringa and guava mixture (MG20), by including them at 20%. Animals were fed with respective concentrate mixtures to meet about 80% of protein requirements and sorghum stover was offered ad libitum to meet the nutrient requirements of lambs for maintenance and growth as per <a href="#icar_2013">ICAR (2013)</a>.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Dietary inclusion of tree leaves had no effect on the intake of various nutrients viz. DM, OM, CP, EE, CF, NFE, NDF,ADF, Hemicellulose and cellulose and&nbsp; were comparable (P&gt;0.05) among the six dietary groups. The crude protein and crude fibre digestibility improved (P&lt;0.01) in tree leaves included diets compared to control, while ether extract (EE) digestibility was lower (P&lt;0.01) in tree leaves included diets compared to CON. The DCP, TDN (%) and ME content was higher (P&lt;0.05) in MS20, MG20 and&nbsp; MOR20 groups compared to CON. The N intake (g/d), excretion through faeces and urine (g/d), total N excretion and total N balance (g/d) was comparable among the different dietary groups.

Effect of Moringa, Subabul and Guava Leaves Either Sole or in Combination on Nutrient Utilization, Nitrogen Balance of Ram Lambs

Background: This research focused on assessing the effects of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) as a dietary supplement on the quality and characteristics of semen in rabbits. 
 
Methods: Eighteen (n=18) breeding bucks of New Zealand white, of similar age group, were used for the study. Three feeding regimes, (i) 100% commercial rabbit pellets (CRP)-Group I&nbsp; (ii) 90% CRP + 10% fresh MOL on a dry matter (DM)&nbsp; basis - Group II and (iii) 80% CRP + 20% fresh MOL on a DM&nbsp; basis &ndash; Group III, were adopted and the trial continued for 21 days.&nbsp; After adaptation to the diet, semen was collected from each buck and subjected to evaluation using computer- assisted semen analyzer. 
 
Result: The sperm count, normal sperm morphology and sperm motility increased in comparison with the control. The inclusion of 20% Moringa oliefera in the diet (Group III) caused a significant increase (P&lt;0.05) in sperm concentration (Control =136.2 M/ml; Group III=297.2 M/ml). There was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) in sperm motility and semen volume among the groups. The findings indicate that adding 20% fresh Moringa oliefera leaves on a dry matter basis to commercial rabbit pellets can enhance the quality and traits of semen in breeding bucks.

Impact of Supplementing Fresh Moringa oleifera Leaves in Diet to Improve Semen Quality in Rabbit Bucks

<div style="text-align: justify;">Research study on effect of foliar application of biostimulants on yield and quality of annual moringa for leaf production was conducted at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam between October 2014 to September 2016. Annual moringa Var PKM -1 seeds were sown @ 40 cm x 20 cm spacing. Foliar application of different concentrations of humic acid, Vermiwash and sea weed extract were given as per the treatment schedule. &nbsp;Harvesting of moringa leaves was done starting from 60 days after sowing leaving 45 cm stem from the ground level at every 45 days interval. Fresh and dry leaf yield per plot was recorded in each harvest and the data were analyzed statistically. Cost benefit ratio for each treatment was calculated. Among the different treatment combinations, application of &nbsp;humic acid 0.2% + vermiwash 4% + sea weed extract 4% @ 10 days after each harvest recorded the highest dry leaf yield of 18.24 t/ha &nbsp;followed by the application of &nbsp;humic acid 2 ml/lit + vermiwash 4% + sea weed extract 4% @ 10 and 25 days after each harvest along with recommended dose of fertilizer. The highest benefit cost ratio of 1:2.45 was observed in the treatment of foliar application of humic acid 2 ml/lit + vermiwash 4% + sea weed extract 4% @ 10 days after each harvest along with recommended dose of fertilizers.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of biostimulants on leaf yield and quality of annual moringa (Moringa oleifera. Lam) Var. PKM - 1</div>

<div>Background: Moringa oleifera is a vegetable widely consumed because of its nutritional benefits such as proteins, vitamins minerals, antioxidant compounds, and vitamin E. While the plant leaves have been utilized to produce organic fertilizer or bio-extract, other parts such as stems, branches, or leaf petioles have often been discarded as waste.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study evaluated different ratios (1:10; 1:20; 1:30; 1:40 and 1:50) and types of bio-foliar fertilizers (Moringa bio-foliar fertilizer, chitosan, and seaweed fertilizers) on yield, and quality in mustard green. The pot and field experiments were conducted in the spring seasons of 2019 and 2020 in completely randomized design using three replications.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results showed that the mustard green yield and quality were affected by ratio and type of bio-foliar fertilizer in both seasons. Highest yield and quality was found for application of moringa bio-foliar fertilizer. The nitrate accumulation value (147.3 mg kg-1) found were also higher for moringa bio-foliar fertilizer but lower than the standard threshold. A strong relationship was found between economic yield (R2 = 0.82 to 0.95 in pots and field experiment (R2 = 0.78 to 0.81). In conclusion, moringa bio-foliar fertilizer at spraying ratio of 1:10 can be used to achieve higher yield and quality for mustard green.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</div>

Impact of Bio-foliar Application of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) on Foliage Yield and Quality of Mustard Green (Brassica juncea L.)&nbsp;

Background: The sustainability and availability of animal feed ingredients are important concerns in Etawa Crossbreed (EC) goats production. A method to increase production is by utilizing local moringa (Moringa oleifera) plants as local concentrate ingredients for feed. This research aimed to determine the best composition to provide local moringa (Moringa oleifera) plants with quality, cheap, easily obtained and available concentrate feed at all times in order to increase the productivity of Etawa crossbreed goats. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The data obtained from the experiment were analyzed through a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) analysis of variance. Furthermore, the treatments that had a significant effect were later subjected to the Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test. The experimental treatments consisted of P1: Concentrate with a mixture of 40% tofu dregs, 40% rice bran and 20% local moringa plants, P2: concentrate with a mixture of 30% tofu dregs, 30% rice bran and 40% local moringa plants, P3: Concentrate with a mixture of 20% tofu dregs, 20% rice bran and 60% local moringa plants and P4: Concentrate with a mixture of 10% tofu dregs, 10% rice bran and 80% local moringa plants. 
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Result: The results showed that the provision of concentrate with local moringa components had a very significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on body weight gain, dry matter feed consumption and feed utilization efficiency as well as carcass weight and percentage but it does not have a significant impact on blood profiles, such as leukocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit (P&gt;0.05). The best composition was with 80% local plants which did not interfere with the health of Etawa crossbreed goats. 
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Efforts to Enhance Etawa Crossbred Goat Production Through Innovative Utilization of Local Moringa Plants (Moringa oleifera) in Concentrate

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) dry leaf powder supplementation on milk yield, composition and milk quality of lactating Rathi cows, as well as the economic impact of this intervention. Fifteen cows were selected from the herd of Rathi cattle of Livestock Research Station Bikaner, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The animals were divided into three treatment groups based on nearness of their body weight, parity and lactation stage. Cows were fed with Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplement at the levels of 0 g (control, T0), 10 g (T1) and (T2) 20 g per 100 kg bw/cow/day for 60 days (14 days of adjustment and 46 days of sampling period). Daily milk yield was recorded and samples were taken at every 7 day interval.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of the study indicated that the milk fat, lactose, solid not fat and total solids per cent were found significantly higher (P&lt;0.01), while lower somatic cell count (P&lt;0.05) reported in the supplemented groups when compared with control group. No significant difference was observed in milk yield and milk protein in the moringa supplemented groups. The treatment groups supplemented with moringa also had higher economic efficiency.

Effect of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Dry Leaf Powder Supplementation on Production Performance and Economics of Lactating Rathi Cows

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a highly valued multipurpose herbal plant, native to India, grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is commonly known as &lsquo;drumstick tree&rsquo; or &lsquo;horseradish tree&rsquo;. Moringa can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions and hence widely cultivated across the world. The leaves are rich in minerals, vitamins and other essential phytochemicals. Extracts from the leaves are used to treat malnutrition, augment breast milk in lactating mothers.&nbsp; Methods: During the investigation different combinations like 0%, 18%, 20%, 22% and 24% of Moringa leaves powdered and were used for formulations respectively. Prepared Moringa leaves powder were mix with other spices to prepare instant soup powder. The formulation content 24% Moringa leaf (MLP4) powder was the better composition and more acceptable among the rest. Result: Proximate study of selected sample were found high in protein 13.67%, ash 9.79%, fibre 5.99% and low in fat 3.04% and energy value which make the developed soup as an appropriate choice to fulfill nutritional demand of consumers. Instant soup mixes packed in aluminium foil was found to be successfully stored for 90 days at room temperature without any major changes, in physicochemical, microbial and organoleptic parameters. Supplementation with Moringa leaf powder significantly enhanced the nutritional characteristics and had a reasonable amount of required nutrients, Hence the value added instant soup mix can also play a great role in attaining the nutritional security in the country.</div>