JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS

ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 08, 2020

A review on the Nutritive Value of Dilis (Encrasicholina

oligobranchus, Wongratana, 1983) powder and Malungay
(Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves powder, as potential food
supplement

CHERRY C. FAVOR
Southern Luzon State University- Judge Guillermo Eleazar Tagkawayan, Quezon , Philippines
gingfavor@gmail.com

Received: 11.03.2020 Revised: 12.04.2020 Accepted: 28.05.2020

ABSTRACT
Introduction: The high nutritional value of Dilis and Malungay makes it as one of the most import food in
the human diet. Malnutrition is a global concern that needs to be addressed to attain sustainable development thru an
innovative means of exploring food resources. Methodology: In this review an updated information on Dilis and
Malunggay nutritional facts has been synthesized with focused on malunggay leaves and vitamins and minerals profile
of dilis per given amount of serving. Other beneficial uses of these essential foods are also considered, through
exploration on the written article on the four data base used. Conclusion: The nutritional benefits of these food can
be maximized as revealed thru processing into a food additive that can add flavor to many dishes and various food
delicacies which can further improved nutritional content by coming up with a proportion of the of Dilis and Malungay
powder.

Keywords: Philippine Anchovy, food supplement, plant nutrient, fish vitamins and minerals, malnutrition

1. INTRODUCTION
With the highest number of the undernourished that lives in Asia that reaches 520 million people. The
Philippines contributed to this number as shown in the current malnutrition rate of 26.2% among the Filipino Children,
which was the highest recorded in the past 10 years (FNRI, 2019). Which resulted to stunting, iron and iodine
deficiencies that may impact learning abilities and intelligence of children that eventually affects a person’s ability to
work and their capacity to live a decent life in the future (Ciriaco, 2019). A mixture of Malunggay and Dilis powder
can provide a possible food supplement that may give solution for this alarming concern of malnutrition in the country
(BAR-Digest, 2014). On this perspective, the review for Nutritive Value of Dilis and Malunggay is presented in this
study.

Fish as primary source of protein and nutrient is significantly contributing for food security (Abba., et al.,
2018). Lower content of lysine, an essential amino acid in cereals, can be better complemented from its abundance in
fish nutrient that provides a nutritional balance in a human diet. Its consumption is of greater interest because of high
content of health significant omega-3, and as an important source for vitamins such as Vitamin A, D and E as well as
minerals including calcium, iodine, selenium and other minerals (Elvevoll E and James D, 2000). Among the pelagic
fishes, Dilis (Encrasicholina oligobranchus , Wongratana, 1983) are nutritious fish that particularly provides protein
of high quality that is better than those of meat and egg (FAO, 2015). On the other hand, Malunggay (Moringa
oleifera) is a plant rich in number of nutrients as such proteins, fibers and minerals that provides an important role in
the human diet ( Maurya, et al., 2018). Studies show that it is a valuable food crop with apparent nutritive, healing
and socioeconomic potentials (Alegbeleye, 2018).

The enshrined objective of UN Sustainable Development Goal of “ending all forms of malnutrition”
challenges the world to think and act on malnutrition to focus on all its faces and work to end it by 2030. And to end
hunger and malnutrition and attain sustainable development, innovative means can be done by exploring available
resource that can be process into food additive to enrich and enhance nutritional content of the human diet which are
affordable and accessible to everyone. This study is an initial step towards attaining this goal.

Mechanics for Literature Search for Synthesis

Exploration in electronic data based from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Sci, Scie Direct and Google scholars
were done for a peer reviewed scientific articles for the analysis of this study. The key words for the search in the
title of the article includes, M. oleifera, Encrasicholina oligobranchus, Malungay, Dilis and nutritional value,

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ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 08, 2020

malnutrition, fish vitamins and mineral, plant nutrient, human diet. Inclusion of non-peer reviewed article from
Newspaper, and technical reports were critically analyzed to have a profound understanding of the subject.

Malungay as Miracle Tree

Moringa oleifera is classified as a tropical fast growing, deciduous tree (Encyclopædia Britannica,2015), that
can grow as high as 7 to 15 m and reach a diameter of 20 to 40 cm at chest height (Mbikay, 2012). Belonging to the
Moringaceae family and known to be a vegetable and a medicinal plant. It is found to be growing year-round in
tropical regions of the world like the Philippines. The name "Miracle" is derived from the multi-use and multi-purpose
nature of the tree parts (Sandeep, et al, 2018).

Nutritional Value of Malunggay Leaves and Other Uses

The leaves of Malunggay are rich in a wide range of vitamins and minerals. As revealed Moringa leaves
contain more vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more vitamin C than oranges,
and more potassium than bananas. Its protein quality is much higher than of milk and eggs (Kholif et al, 2016). That
was quantified as 7 times more vitamin C than oranges, 10 times more vitamin A than carrots, 17 times more calcium
than milk, 9 times more protein than yoghurt, 15 times more potassium than bananas and 25 times more iron
than spinach (Lakshmipriya et al, 2016). The richness in nutrition of its leaves are attributed to the presence of a
variety of essential phytochemicals that was shown and presented in the given tables below.

As been described in the literature malunggay leaves can be characterized as rich in nutrients and has potential
to be used in multiple purposes. This high nutritional content found in the dried leaves are indicators that it can be
consumed in powder form and can be used as food additive. Its inclusion in the diets could function as curative and
therapeutic therapy that can improve health and nutrition among children and adults with malnutrition (Moyo, et al,
2011).

Dilis: A Little Fish with Big Nutritional Benefits

Anchovies are a small fish that belong to the family Engraulidae. These fish are very small, and they range
from around two centimetres to forty centimetres in size. Referred as ‘dilis’ or ‘bolinao’ in the Philippines. As
salt water, foraging fish more than 100 different species are spread across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
They are generally found in large schools, which makes them very easy to catch in large quantities. Dilis is full of
nutrients and rich in healthy protein that is valuable for both children and adults. It is also a good source of vitamins
E & D and minerals like calcium & selenium.

Nutritive Facts of Anchovy

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has released a report by the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute (FNRI) that shows a 100 grams of fresh dilis (anchovy) contains 752 mg. of calcium almost double
(340.55 mg.) found in a cup of milk.

Other Health Benefits of Eating Anchovies

Anchovies are small but contain high amounts of minerals and nutrients. The high amounts of omega-3 fatty
acids, healthy unsaturated fats help to prevent inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. Its high content of calcium
and magnesium and essential minerals can control blood pressure and circulation. Its niacin content contributes in the
lowering of cholesterol and triglycerides. That minimizes the risk for cardiovascular diseases (Anand, et al., 2015).
Moreover, the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, support the body maintenance and improvement bone health and
growth, promoting skeletal health (Go, et, al. 2014). Its abundance in protein is responsible for cell metabolism and
tissue repair that gives a healing effect in the body. It contains a lower content of calorie with a higher amount of
protein that makes the body feel full, while also limiting your calorie intake that resolves issue on weight gain
(Mercola, 2017). Furthermore, it can be a great source of healthy fats such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that are
essential for a child's developing brain, nervous system and vision (Council on Environmental Health, 2019).

The Union of the Malunggay and Dilis

Fish can be considered as a good source of several minerals, vitamins and micronutrients hence with a high
nutritional value that impact on human health (Tilami & Sampels 2017). Fish proteins can improve the overall protein
quality of a mixed diet (Mohanty and Singh, 2018). This is due to the presence of minerals in fish like iron (Fe),

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Calcium (Ca), Zinc (Zn), Phosphorus (P), Selenium (Se), Fluorine (F), Iodine that are high bioavailability that can
easily absorbed by the human body (Jag Pal, et al, 2018). Complementary the human body require sufficient intakes
of many mineral elements for their wellbeing with a significant amount of sodium (Na), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co)
and iodine (I) in their diet and a little amounts of fluorine (F), lithium (Li), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), vanadium (V),
chromium (Cr), and silicon (Si) that can be derived from plant products (White, et,al., 2012). Historically, humans
evolved to digest primarily plant foods as shown in set of 32 teeth that include 20 molars, which are perfect for
crushing and grinding plant foods, along with eight front incisors which are well suited for biting into fruits
and vegetable (Chronicle, 2020) hence it is favorable for human body to consume more plan t food. In fact,
the famous Mediterranean Diet is a combination of much of the vegetables and a little of meat and fish
(National Geographic Magazine, 2013). Which has practically been applied in the developing a food additive
that is made of mixture of Malunggay and Dilis, the study recommended the ratio of 2:1 and reported to have
achieved (3%) cabohydrates, (5%) protein, (40%) vitamin A, (2%) vitamin C, (40%) calcium and (10%) iron
for every 100 grams of mixture of dilis and malunggay powder (Bar -Digest, 2014).

2. CONCLUDING REMARKS AND WAY FORWARD

Literature shows that Malunggay contains as many essential nutrients that can used as nutritional
supplements. A dietary supplement that can be dried and turned into powder for use in several food preparations.
Combined with Dilis a good source of healthy fats and other nutrients like protein that provides an amino acid which
the body can use to maintain healthy tissue and aid in immune system function. With nutritional and health benefits
maximized within the mixture, a highly nutritious and in expensive food supplement can be developed which can help
addressed issues on malnutrition. Further studies on the food product development with inclusion of proportion of
malunggay and dilis content may be conducted. Analysis of sufficient amount of malunggay and Dilis that may meet
the Required Daily Allowance (RDA) for Iron and Iodine in a developed food product may also be considered.

Conflict of Interest
There is no conflict of interest in this study.

Acknowledgement
The authors express a heartfelt gratitude to Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research for
funding a project that serves as the guide for this study. The Southern Luzon State University for the administrative
support for that project to materialized. Special mention to Dr. Nicomedes Eleazar and Dr. Cecilia Gascon as the head
of the respective offices and to everyone who has been a part of this endeavor.

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