Micronutrient are needed by the body in very small amounts. However, their impact on a body health are critical and deficiency of micronutrient can causes severe and even life threatening conditions. Many of the deficiency are preventable through consumption of a healthy diet containing diverse foods. In this review we disussed briefly about the micronutrient of molybdenum .Molybdenum is an essential mineral in the body .A molybdenum deficiency is extremely rare and  have been reported in infants with a genetic disorder in which the mineral cannot be use and therefore cannot break down sulphites, which may lead to brain damage and seizures. A deficiency has also been in people receiving intravenous nutrition in which supplement molybdenum was not added. Signs of deficiency include seizures, death in infants, irregular heart rate in adults. Molybdenum co-factor deficiency is noted genetic condition for deficiency of molybdenum. It is rare condition characterized by brain dysfunction that worsens over time. Molybdenum co-factor deficiency causes brain abnormalities, delay childhood death, intellectual disabilities, seizures, opisthotonus and lens dislocation. The rich source of molybdenum is vigna unguiculata, which is commonly known as cowpeas, black eyed pea, crowderpea, southernpea. Cowpeas may have several health benefits including digestion, immunity, sleep, weight loss, heart health. It belongs to fabaceae  family that can be either and   or perennial herb .Cowpeas can be climbing, trailing, erect, prostate, creeping it depend on the cultivator, the leaves are compound, with two asymmetrical side leaflets and one terminal leaflet are symmetrical. The seeds have different characteristic like shape, size, colour, texture. The shape of the seeds are usually kidney shaped ,wild cowspea are very small. Cowpea seeds can be white, cream, green, red, brown, black or combination of colour and it texture have a smooth or rough coat and can be speckled, mottled or blotchy. Molybdenum is the target to be extracted  from the solid matrix of Vigna unguiculata by soxhlet extraction method. Soxhlet extraction is a continous process of extraction with a hot organic solvent and also removing the chemical constituent from the seeds of Vigna unguiculata and various identification test are performed to flavonoids, soluble and insoluble dietary fibres.

Taxonomical Classification

Synonyms

Distribution:

India, Central America, China and Africa. In India mostly cultivated, in Uttar Pradesh, Chotanagpur, Assam and in southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.

Plant Profile:

Herbaceous annual with twining stems varying in erectness and bushiness. Leaves trifoliate,  petioles 2.5 to 12.5 cm long. Central leaflet hastate,  2.5 to 12 cm long, smooth, lateral leaflets irregular. Flowers in axillary racemes on stalks 15 to 30 cm long. Pod pendulous, smooth,  10 to 23 cm long with a thick curved beak and 10- to 15-seeded. Seeds 4 to 8 mm long,  3 to 4 mm broad, variable in size and colour.

Leaves

Compound leaves with three leaflets

Flowers

Bisexual flowers with five fused sepals and five free petals,usually growing in pairs at the ends of long stalks

Pods

Long and cylinder pods that can grow 20 to 30cm long and can contain six to 13 seeds

Seeds

Kidney shaped seeds that can be white,cream,green,red,brown,and black or various

combination

Seed Coat:

Seeds can have a smooth or rough coat, and be speckled, mottled, or blotchy.

Importance of Molybdenum in Human Body           Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral that helps the body in many including

1. Processing proteins and genetic material

Molybdenum helps the break down process proteins and genetic material like DNA

2. Breaking down drugs and toxins

Molybdenum helps breakdown drugs and toxic substance that enter the body.

3. Preventing toxins from building up

Molybdenum helps the body get rid of harmful sulfites and prevents toxins from building up in tissues

4. May help with esophageal cancer

Studies have shown that a deficiency in molybdenum may play a role in the higher incidence of esophageal cancer in populations consuming food grown in soil low in this this mineral.

Molybdenum Deficiency

Molybdenum also acts as the cofactor that is required in order to metabolize sulfur amino acids, nitrogen-containing compounds. There are compounds in DNA and RNA that have a variety of functions. The lack of molybdenum does not appear in healthy individuals, but there is a specific metabolic consequence known as molybdenum co-factor deficiency which results from an inadequate amount of molybdoenzymes in the body. The molybdenum toxicity of humans is small, owing to the rapid excretion of this mineral in urine. The people with a very rare genetic condition called co-factor molybdenum deficiency, the body is not able to use molybdenum as a result of this disorder. It can cause seizures and severe brain damage that usually leads to death within days after birth of infants.

Causes of molybdenum:

There is a relatively rare lack of molybdenum in humans due to the fact that there are very low level of this mineral required by the body. Molybdenum is required for a number of fundamental processes in the biological system, e.g. metabolism of amino acids from sulfur and elimination of some compounds. There are some possible causes of molybdenum deficiency are

Insufficient dietary intake:

 If a person's diet is very low in molybdenum-rich food, he or she may suffer from Molybdenum deficiency. Legumes, whole grains, leafy vegetables, nuts, and organ meat are good sources of molybdenum.

Malabsorption:

Molybdenum may be hard to absorb from the diet in people who suffer from some health conditions that are affecting their absorption of nutrients.

Amino Acids:

 A diet excessively high in sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine) can increase the body's demand for molybdenum. If there is insufficient dietary intake to meet the increased demand, it may be capable of producing a molybdenum deficiency.

 High intake of molybdenum antagonists:

 Some dietary compounds, such as tungsten or some sulfite-derived food additives, can have a negative influence on the absorption and use of molybdenum in the body. Molybdenum depletion may be associated with consuming a high amount of these compounds.

Metabolism Deficiencies:

 In fact, as molybdenum-dependent enzymes need these cofactors to function properly, a deficiency in essential nutrients like copper or iron can have an indirect effect on metabolism.         Genetic Disorders:

In rare cases, individuals with inherited genetic disorders that affect molybdenum metabolism, such as molybdenum co-factor deficiency, may be at risk of molybdenum deficiency.

Malnutrition:

There may be risks of various nutrient deficiencies, including molybdenum deficiency, for persons who are malnourished or have limited access to a variety of food.

Risk Factors:

Molybdenum deficiency is crucial to maintaining optimal health. Molybdenum, an essential trace mineral, plays a vital role in various physiological process within the body. While molybdenum deficiency is relatively rare, certain factors can increase the risk of developing this deficiency. One of the primary risk factors for molybdenum deficiency is a diet lacking in foods that are rich in this mineral. Molybdenum is found in various food sources such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, and leafy green vegetables. Individuals who consume a highly processed or restricted diet may not be obtaining adequate amounts of molybdenum, thus increasing their risk of deficiency. Certain medical conditions and medications can also contribute to molybdenum deficiency. Gastrointestinal disorders that impair nutrient absorption, such as Crohn's disease or Celiac disease, can interfere with the body's ability to absorb molybdenum from the food sources. Individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery or have had a portion of their intestines removed may also be at an increased risk of molybdenum deficiency due to reduced absorption capacity. It's important to note that while these risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing a molybdenum deficiency, it does not necessarily mean that individuals will experience symptoms or complications. Regular monitoring and consultation with a healthcare professional are essential for identifying and addressing any potential deficiencies.

Symptoms:

 The symptoms do not appear to be well documented due to a limited number of reported cases. The body's need for molybdenum is also relatively low, given that it requires very little in the form of trace amounts. However, if a deficiency occurs, there can be several symptoms that are not associated with molybdenum deficiency but may also appear in addition to the symptoms of another nutrient deficit or normal health conditions. The following symptoms may occur as a result of molybdenum deficiency  like Fatigue, a broad feeling of tiredness or weakness. Weakness: Reduced muscle strength and endurance. 

Rapid heartbeat:

An increase in heart rate may be observed in some people who are not adequately Molybdenum deficient.

Headaches:

Some cases of persistent or severe headaches have been observed.

Nausea:

The feeling of nausea or a sick stomach, loss of Appetite: a reduction in desire to eat or diminished appetite

Cognitive Symptoms:

Neurological symptoms, such as confusion and disorientation, may occur in severe cases.

 Diagnosis:

There may be difficulties in the diagnosis of molybdenum deficiency in human beings due to  it's a fairly rare condition and symptoms are not specifically related to such deficiency. A combination of treatments, such as a doctor's history, physical examinations, and laboratory tests is often used by healthcare professionals for the determination of molybdenum deficiency. In order to diagnose molybdenum deficiency, the following steps shall be taken:

1. Clinical assessment:

The healthcare provider starts by verifying the patient's health records and performing an examination of his or her body. They'll look at a patient's nutrition and any health conditions that are currently in place, as well as the presence of specific symptoms that can be indicative of malnutrition.

2. Blood tests:

It is possible to determine molybdenum levels in the body through blood tests. In particular, blood levels of molybdenum can be measured by a healthcare professional. These tests are not widely available and, in most cases, do not constitute part of the regular blood work.

3. Assessment of symptoms:

A molybdenum deficiency may be suspected in the presence of some symptoms, e.g. fatigue, weakness, and neurological problems. Given the overall health status of a patient, it is important to take these symptoms into account.

4. Dietary assessment:

To determine if a patient is at risk of molybdenum deficiency as a result of the consistently low intake of molybdenum-rich foods, healthcare professionals may ask patients about their dietary habits.

 Treatments:

1. Changes in diet:

The most common and generally recommended way of addressing the lack of molybdenum is to change foods that have a higher content of molybdenum. The recommended sources of molybdenum include legumes, such as beans and lentils; whole grains, leafy vegetables, nuts, and organ meat. It is possible that increasing the intake of these foods will lead to increased levels of molybdenum in the body.

2. Molybdenum supplements:

Health care professionals are encouraged to prescribe mineral supplements for patients who have a severe deficiency or when diet changes do not work. Molybdenum supplements can be obtained in various forms, like molybdenum trioxide or molybdenum aspartate. A healthcare provider shall determine the prescribed dose and form of molybdenum supplementation.

3. Monitoring:

Periodic blood molybdenum levels monitoring can help resolve the deficiency when you start to alter your diet or supplement with molybdenum. Based on the needs of each individual, healthcare professionals will develop a suitable follow-up schedule.

4. Preventive Measure:

You should eat a balanced diet including foods that are high in molybdenum, such as beans, whole grains, leafy vegetables, nuts, and meat. Excessive intake of sulfur amino acids can increase molybdenum demand, so be careful. Ensure a balanced intake of methionine and cysteine. Control gastrointestinal disorders and other conditions that may restrict nutrient absorption, as these could be contributing to a lack of molymphatics. Periodic  assessments, early identification of deficiencies in nutrients such as molybdenum, and timely intervention if necessary, may be useful for the assessment of nutritional status.

Method of Extraction of Molybdenum From Cowpeas :    

Soxhlet extraction is a general and well established technique. This technique is based on exhaustive the extraction of organic compounds , in a soxhlet system by  an organic solvent . The seeds of cowpeas  needs to be crushed, using a mortor and pestle to provide a greater surface area the material should be sufficient to fill the porous cellulose thimble. The solvent is added to a round bottom flask, which is attached to a soxhlet extractor and condenser on a isomantle. The crushed seeds of cowpeas are loaded into the thimble which is placed inside the soxhlet extractor the side arm is lagged with glass wool .The solvent is heated using isomantle and well begin to evoparate, moving through the apparatus to the condenser. The condensate then, drips into the reservoir containing the thimble. Once the level of solvent reaches the siphon it pours back into the flask and the cycle begin again.The process should  run for a total of 7 days .Once the process has finished ,the ethanol should be evaporated using a rotary evaporator leaving a small yield of exracted crushed seed of cowpeas in the glass bottom flask

Chemical Constituents:

Generally plant contains Carbohydrates (56-67%), Proteins (20.5-31.7%), Fats (1.14-3.03%) vitamins, minerals, soluble and insoluble dietary fibers with the varying amount of glycoside, alkaloids, flavanoids, tannis, saponins, vignalin, the saponincy aglycone  part of which belong to the oleanane series of triterpenoids identified as soyasapogenol B.Twenty varities of cowpeas with the following proximate composition :dry matter 87-94%,crude protein 24-33%,ether extract 1-2%,crude fibre 2-5%,and ash2-5% were analysed. The flours of cowpeas contains important source of protein 24.30-26.33%,ash 2.71-3.64%,and starch 50.99-51.33% were amylase was found in the range of 16.72-19.15%.

ESSENTIAL MINERALS (mg/100g)                AMINO ACID(%)