Nutrient composition of some important Brazilian savanna trees and their potential for animal feed

Abstract

Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) trees present high diversity, whether they are being used by fauna and traditional populations as food or medicine. However, little research has been done to evaluate the nutrient composition of different species relevant to society, which may highlight new uses of these species. The objective of this study was to characterize nutritional aspects of the leaves of different Cerrado native species. Bromatological analyses (i.e. dry matter (DM), total digestible nutrients (TDN), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), mineral matter (MM), and nutrient concentration were performed on five native tree species (Inga cylindrica; Platymiscium floribundum, Piptadenia gonoacantha, Anadenanthera macrocarpa, and Dipteryx alata) that presented potential for animal feed, according to farmer’s reports. The chemical characteristics of the leaves of Cerrado trees were characterized and compared between them. All five species evaluated in this study showed nutritional characteristics that suggest their potential use for animal feed, especially the P. floribundum, I. cylindrica, and P. gonoacantha for their high protein value.