Evaluation of Anti-nutritional Compounds in Selected Wild Plants Consumed by Ruminants in Pasturelands

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the anti-nutritional compounds in the wild plants of Soone valley Punjab, Pakistan. A wide range of anti-nutritional factors exists in the wild plants of this area which are consumed as forages by the ruminants. Few anti-nutritional compounds i.e. oxalate, phytate, saponins and tannins were analyzed during the course of study. Oxalate content ranged from 0.4467% to 0.6267%. The highest oxalate content was found in Chenopodium album and lowest oxalate content was available in Mentha arvensis. The content of phytate ranged from 3.8167% to 4.9767% in all wild forages. The maximum amount was observed in Buxus papillosa and minimum amount was found in Ahadota vasica. Saponins ranged from 2.2700% to 3.7833%. The percentage of tannins varies from 1.3167% to 1.6300% in all plant species. The optimum value of tannins was found in Adatoda vasica and low value of tannins was investigated in the Mentha arvensis among the investigated plant species. Overall, the maximum factors observed in Buxus papillosa and lowest in Mentha arvensis plants. The values estimated in the present study are below the mark as compared to the toxic levels. Nutritional and health issues are developed due to the large consumption of monotypic wild edible plant parts during one meal. However, anti-nutritional compounds related to respective risks are less with the use of traditional methods.