Proximate and mineral components of Viscum album var. coloratum grown on eight different host tree species

Abstract

Mistletoes are parasite plants growing on various tree species, taking nutrients from the host. Beneficial compounds of mistletoe were used in medicine and these mistletoes were commonly collected from oak species that were not well identified. We analyzed the nutritional value by measuring proximate and mineral components of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) from various host trees. Carbohydrate was the most proximate component in both leaves and twigs followed crude protein, crude fiber, crude ash and crude fat. While the contents of the proximate components and minerals varied among hosts and between plant parts, leaves contained higher crude protein and ash, and more minerals except for magnesium than twigs, although no significant difference was found in mistletoe grown on Prunus mandshurica. There were significant differences of proximate and mineral contents depending on the host species. Mistletoe grown on Chaenomeles sinensis contained higher levels of carbohydrates, crude fat, crude ash, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, and zinc than mistletoe grown on other species. Mistletoe grown on P. mandshurica contained high mineral levels of potassium, copper and phosphorous. The nutritional value of mistletoes were greatly influenced by the host species but among the hosts, specific nutrients accumulated in leaves more than in twigs, and vice versa. Based on the analysis, Korean mistletoe contains relatively good quality of nutrients and has high potential for dietary supplements as well as for medicinal compounds.