Prosopis cineraria (Ghaf): An Unconventional Desert protein rich supplement

Abstract

Prosopis cineraria (Ghaf) is not well known as a rich and sustainable source of protein for many people in the world. It emphasis on its broad food and non-food applications, nutritional values and health benefits. This research was carried out to meet the increasing demand of protein, alternative strategies and unconventional sources of protein for human and animal nutrition. This is probably the first research work which provides a comparative study between the protein content of ghaf leaves with different species of fish muscle protein. Fish muscle homogenate was prepared using ice cold distilled water. The muscle homogenate of Euthynnus affinis showed highest protein 137.5 mg/g. The other fishes muscle protein were Carangoides chrysophrys (43.33 mg/g), Lenthrinus lentjan (105 mg/g), Sardinella longiceps (104.17 mg/g), Pomacanthus maculosus (81.67 mg/g), Nemipterus japonicus (111.67 mg/g), Lutjanus ehrenbergi (99.17 mg/g), Gerres oyena (107.5 mg/g), Argyrops spinifer (100.83 mg/g), Terrapin jarboe (82.5 mg/g), Tilapia mossambica (54.72 mg/g). Ghaf tree is a keystone species having multiple beneficial uses from combating desertification and improving soil fertility in arid environments to being an essential food source, as well as a source of fuel, shelter and medicine for both humans and animal species. The Ghaf leaves extracts were tested for protein content analysis. The protein content in Ghaf leaves was found to be 88.61 mg/g. Thus, the research results revealed that Ghaf leaves has almost similar amount of protein as compared to fish muscle protein and can be used as protein supplement for growth and metabolism of body.