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Volume 14
Issue 20
10.3390/app14209437
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Article

A Systematic Analysis of Nutritional and Mineral Composition and Toxicity in Acacia Species Leaves

by
Soraia I. Pedro
1,2,3,*,
Joana Gonçalves
4,5,
Carmo Horta
2,
José C. Gonçalves
1,2,
Jorge Gominho
3,
Eugenia Gallardo
4,5 and
Ofélia Anjos
1,2,3,*
1
CBPBI—Centro de Biotecnologia de Plantas da Beira Interior, Quinta da Senhora de Mércules, 6000-098 Castelo Branco, Portugal
2
CERNAS-IPCB—Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais, Ambiente e Sociedade, Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, Portugal
3
CEF—Centro de Estudos Florestais, Laboratório Associado TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
4
CICS-UBI—Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
5
Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia—UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9437; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209437
Submission received: 17 August 2024 / Revised: 27 September 2024 / Accepted: 1 October 2024 / Published: 16 October 2024
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Abstract

In the present study, the nutritive composition and mineral content of the leaves of eight species of Acacia trees were evaluated to assess their potential for different purposes, such as food resources for ruminants and mineral sources in soils. Caco-2 cells were employed to assess cytotoxicity, revealing that the extracts exhibited no cytotoxic effects after cellular incubation, suggesting their suitability as an alternative animal feed. The leaves proved to be a promising source of protein and fiber, offering an alternative to meet the needs of ruminants. The protein content differed among species, ranging from 18.96% in A. cyclops to 14.04% in A. melanoxylon. Similarly, fiber content varied from 35.52% in A. melanoxylon to 16.43% in A. cyclops. The species displayed moderate to high levels of minerals, particularly concentrations of Ca, P, and K. These values varied among species, ranging from 8452.90 to 28,465.31 mg/kg DM for Ca, 309.61 to 1293.82 mg/kg DM for P, and 5557.24 to 11,475.85 mg/kg DM for K, respectively. Each species displayed a distinct profile regarding the analyzed parameters, suggesting varied potential for their respective use. Additionally, vibrational spectroscopy analysis proved to be a highly valuable and dependable method for distinguishing between species.
Keywords: Acacia species; leaf; cytotoxicity; nutritive values; mineral content Acacia species; leaf; cytotoxicity; nutritive values; mineral content

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MDPI and ACS Style

Pedro, S.I.; Gonçalves, J.; Horta, C.; Gonçalves, J.C.; Gominho, J.; Gallardo, E.; Anjos, O. A Systematic Analysis of Nutritional and Mineral Composition and Toxicity in Acacia Species Leaves. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14, 9437. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209437

AMA Style

Pedro SI, Gonçalves J, Horta C, Gonçalves JC, Gominho J, Gallardo E, Anjos O. A Systematic Analysis of Nutritional and Mineral Composition and Toxicity in Acacia Species Leaves. Applied Sciences. 2024; 14(20):9437. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209437

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pedro, Soraia I., Joana Gonçalves, Carmo Horta, José C. Gonçalves, Jorge Gominho, Eugenia Gallardo, and Ofélia Anjos. 2024. "A Systematic Analysis of Nutritional and Mineral Composition and Toxicity in Acacia Species Leaves" Applied Sciences 14, no. 20: 9437. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209437

APA Style

Pedro, S. I., Gonçalves, J., Horta, C., Gonçalves, J. C., Gominho, J., Gallardo, E., & Anjos, O. (2024). A Systematic Analysis of Nutritional and Mineral Composition and Toxicity in Acacia Species Leaves. Applied Sciences, 14(20), 9437. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209437

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