Proximate composition and tannin content of some multipurpose tree leaves

Abstract

Leaves from tree legumes Enterolobium cyclocarpum (EC), Pterocarpus santalonoides (Ps), Gliricidia sepium (Gs), Leucaena leucocephala (LL) and Senna sIamea (Ss) were analysed for ash, crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), Ether entract (EE) neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and tannins. The ash (7.85 0.22 10.11 0.10), CP (10.07 0.11 26.27 0.30), CF(8.16 0.15 14.76 0.68), EE(2.21 1.47 8.41 0.34), NDF(49.24 0.08 66.51 0.46) and ADF(27.84 0.15 45.66 0.49) of the tree leaves varied between plants. Ash content of P. santolonoides (7.85 0.22) was least while that of E. cyclocarpum was highest (10.11 0.10). L. leucocephala had the highest CP(26.27 0.30) and S. siamea (10.07 0.11) the least. However, CF content was highest in S. siamea (22.80 0.53) and least in P. santalonoides (8.16 0.15). The contents of tannin in E. cyclocapum, P. santalonoides, G. sepium, L. leucocephale and S.siamea were 0.254 0.005mg/g, 0.388 0.016 mg/g, 0.485 0.023mg/g, 0.267 0.013mg/g and 0.607 0.06, respectively. The results suggest that the tree legumes have potential as supplements. Also, the trace amounts of tannins (0.254 0.005 0.607 0.06) detected are less than suggested amounts (30 mg/g) that can adversely affect their nutritive value.


Key words Trees, Chemical composition, anti-nutrients and tannins

[Global Jnl Agric Res Vol.1(2) 2002: 77-82]