Abstract
Poincianella pyramidalis (catingueira) is a endemic plant of the Caatinga, selected by animals grazing on native pasture. With the aim of evaluating characteristics indicative of its nutritional quality, 10 plants were selected and identified, sampled at five different ages, were used to determine dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), mineral matter (MM), DM degradability (Deg DM), NDF degradability (Deg NDF) and in situ and in vitro leaf-tissue degradability. Phytochemical prospection was performed, and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance applied to detect the presence of secondary compounds. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at 5%, and correlation analysis was carried out on the variables for leaf maturity in days. The levels of CP, NDF and Deg NDF showed a negative correlation with the increases in leaf age. Leaf-tissue degradation was restricted due to a physical barrier developed in the leaf fragments, which can be attributed to plant defence mechanisms. The in situ degradability of the cell wall components decreased with the increase in leaf age. The high levels of tannins and lignin, and the strong presence of flavonoids, should be considered for their anti-nutritional and pharmacological potential.
Highlights
Caatinga, a type of vegetation found in the semi-arid region of Brazil, includes a diversity of native plants with forage potential, whose nutritive value is mainly utilised by small ruminants (Oliveira et al, 2016b; Santos et al, 2008)
The acid detergent fibre (ADF) components, dry matter (DM) degradability and tannin content showed no variation in relation to leaf age (Table 1)
The crude protein content found in the leaves when the plant was in the flowering and fruiting phases was 100 g kg-1; in general, the start of the reproductive period is recommended for cutting forages to be used for conservation, considering that this nutrient may be redistributed to the reproductive organs and to the storage organs of the plant before leaf-fall (Etienne et al, 2018)
Summary
A type of vegetation found in the semi-arid region of Brazil, includes a diversity of native plants with forage potential, whose nutritive value is mainly utilised by small ruminants (Oliveira et al, 2016b; Santos et al, 2008). The species Poincianella pyramidalis, endemic to the Caatinga and popularly known as catingueira, is a deciduous legume shrub, widely used both in popular medicine, and as wood and forage, and preferred by ruminants in this environment during the last phase of its phenological cycle. It is a medium-sized, thornless tree, 4-6 m in height, sometimes reaching 12 m. Aspects of the nutritional potential of the plant were studied by Gonzaga Neto et al (2001), and Mendonça Júnior, Braga, and Galvão (2008) and there are many studies of the pharmacological and medicinal potential of the species due to the presence of biflavanoids and other compounds (Oliveira, David, & David, 2016a)
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