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In search of nonconventional sources of protein to combat widespread malnutrition, the possibility of developing a protein concentrate as an alternative dietary supplement from abundantly available yet poorly valorized leaves of Albizia lebbeck (siris) was examined. A process for recovery of leaf protein concentrate (LPC) from these leaves was optimized and applied for isolation of LPCs from lower, middle, and upper canopies of the tree. The optimized conditions (leaves to water 1:9, coagulation at pH 4.0 using 1 N citric acid at 90°C for 11 minutes) afforded LPCs containing protein 37.15%, 37.57%, and 37.76% in 5.99%, 5.97%, and 6.07% yield, respectively. The proximate nutritional composition, pigments, minerals, in vitro digestibility, and antinutritional factors of these LPCs were determined. Analysis of variance of these data revealed no significant difference with respect to canopy. Use of Albizia lebbeck leaves for development of LPC as a food/feed supplement was revealed.

Girardinia heterophylla (Decne), distributed extensively in Middle Himalayas, is a potential source of Leaf Protein Concentrate (LPC). Present study envisages the phytochemical investigations to assess the availability and commercial viability of LPC of G. heterophylla. Samples of plant leaves were collected from Mussoorie Hills of Uttarakhand (India) and contents of LPC were isolated. Proximate analysis of LPC for nitrogen, protein, fat, ash and carbohydrate content revealed their concentration in appreciable quantities making it a potential source of nonconventional protein. LPC has important biochemical characteristics, which establish the usefulness and potential of leaves of this plant to be used as animal fodder for better milk production and also as nutritionally rich source for protein for human consumption.

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