Assessment of the Proximate and Mineral Compositions of Acacia ataxacantha Leaves

Abstract

Study was carried out to evaluate the nutritive values and mineral concentrations of Acacia ataxacantha leaves to underscore the suitability for intensive livestock projection, The proximate parameters analyzed revealed the presence of moisture (6.47%±0.02), ash (4.00%±0.06), crude fat (13.24%±0.77), crude fiber (39.78%±0.75), lignin (0.95%±0.07), nitrogen (1.05%±0.07), crude protein (6.58%±0.45), and total carbohydrate (51.75% ±0.38). The Lassaigne’s test revealed Sulphur, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and the halogens. The concentration of the minerals determined were Sodium (0.01mg/100g) Iron, Potassium (0.02mg/100g), Calcium, Zinc, Manganese (0.03mg/100g), Magnesium (0.26mg/100g) and Phosphorus (2.93mg/100g). The significance of this plant leaves was discussed in relation to the presence of these nutritive values and mineral elements. It was found that the leaves have good levels of nutrients, low and safe concentration of minerals that could form good feed resources for modern animal production, grazing and browsing.