Chemical composition, digestibility and antinutritional factors content of two wild legumes: Styphonolobium burseroides and Acacia bilimekii

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1999;54(1):59-65. doi: 10.1023/a:1008174001083.

Abstract

The chemical composition, digestibility and toxin contents of two wild legumes: Styphnolobium burseroides and Acacia bilimekii, collected in a semi-arid zone of Mexico, were determined. Both legumes had a high fiber content. The seeds of Styphnolobium burseroides had a low protein content (14%), and the pod a high content of reducing sugars. However the seeds of Acacia bilimekii had a high protein concentration (35%). The seed proteins were low in sulphur amino acids and tryptophan in both legumes but were rich in lysine. Trypsin inhibitors and lectins were present in low concentrations; alkaloids and cyanogenic glucosides were not detected. The in vitro digestibility for monogastric animals was low but the same test with ruminal juice showed a high digestibility for both legumes. Based on their chemical composition and digestibility, these legumes could be a good alternative source in the feeding of ruminants.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / analysis*
  • Animals
  • Digestion
  • Fabaceae / chemistry*
  • Food Analysis / methods
  • Mexico
  • Nutritive Value
  • Plant Proteins / analysis*
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Seeds

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Plant Proteins