Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Lantana camara leaf

Abstract

Objectives: The nutritional and anti-nutritional contents of Lantana camara leaf were investigated. Levels of nutrients like the crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash, mineral and anti-nutrients like phytate, tannins and oxalate were determined. Methods: The nutritional and anti-nutritional contents of L. camara leaf were investigated using standard methods. Results: The results of the proximate analysis showed that the crude protein content was the highest among other components with the value of 24.84±0.51 (%) while the crude fat gives the least value which is 2.99±0.01 (%). Other components are moisture content, 10.15±0.57 (%), crude fibre, 16.41±0.58 (%) and ash, 10.77±0.43 (%). The mineral analysis has potassium with the highest concentration of 1.05±0.03 ppm while phosphorus was the least with 0.07±0.01 ppm. Other minerals are calcium (0.54±0.01 ppm), manganese (0.99±0.02 ppm), sulphur (0.73±0.03 ppm), iron (0.84±0.01 ppm), magnesium (0.43±0.03 ppm) and copper (0.53±0.01 ppm). Zinc was not detected. The anti-nutrients detected include phytate, 41.06 mg/100g, tannins, 3.35 mg/100g and oxalate, 280.75 mg/100g. Conclusion: It is considered that L. camara could be a very good source of protein and minerals in animal diets, if well processed, to reduce or eliminate the anti-nutritional factors.

Proximate composition, mineral content, phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant activities of a wild edible fruit (Grewia sapida Roxb. ex DC.) found in Assam of North-East India

“…Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium are macrominerals, whereas iron, zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt and nickel are micro-minerals which are also known as trace elements. The trace elements are required in very trace quantities as they are important for the physiological and biological functions of the human body [41,42]. These elements can sometimes act as antioxidants.…”

Pastoralism versus Agriculturalism—How Do Altered Land-Use Forms Affect the Spread of Invasive Plants in the Degraded Mutara Rangelands of North-Eastern Rwanda?

“…A number of reasons have been put forward to explain why L. camara has been particularly successful as an invasive species [ 37 ]. The high tannin content protecting the species from being browsed [ 32 , 33 ], its ability to disperse using birds as vectors [ 51 ] (as well as endozoochory by other animals consuming its drupes [ 54 ]), and its general tolerance to a wide range of ecological factors in anthropogenically disturbed habitats appear to be prime reasons for the species’ high invasion potential [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. Moreover, it was reported that the digging activity of ungulates, such as pigs, enhances the dispersal of L. camara in Australia by causing the death of trees and subsequent increased light penetration, which favored the spread of Lantana [ 57 ].…”

“…Although their high tannin content is suspected to largely protect L. camara and C. nardus from being eaten [ 32 , 33 , 42 , 44 , 46 ], it can be assumed than at least some wildlife species (browsing ungulates and primates) consume parts of these plants and thus contribute to their dispersal. Wildlife densities were estimated using the local ecological knowledge of the resident pastoralist population following previously established methods [ 78 ].…”

“…Lantana camara has spread around the world, has become invasive in over 50 countries, and is currently becoming one of the most harmful invasive weeds in recorded history [30,31]. The invasiveness of L. camara can partly be explained by the high tannin content largely protecting the species from being browsed [32,33], its tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions [34,35], as well as increased logging and other landscape modifications in conjunction with its general preference for anthropogenically disturbed habitats [36,37]. One of the most striking land-cover changes in rangelands during the last 150 years has been the proliferation of trees and shrubs at the expense of perennial grasses [38,39].…”

“…In this case, the distribution of invasive plants should correspond with high wildlife densities or bird species richness. We also tested whether domestic livestock contributes to the distribution of invasive plants ([ 54 ], but see [ 32 , 33 ]), in which case percentage cover of invasive plants should positively correlate with local livestock densities. Third, we predicted human landscape alterations (i.e., construction of fences, roads, houses and gardens) to be partly responsible for the spread of invasive plants [ 36 ].…”