Protein and mineral status of tree leaves and range plants of indore district of Madhya Pradesh

Eighteen amples of commonly available tree leaves and range plants (Ficus religiosa, Leucaena leucocephala, Azadirachata indica, Psidium guajava, Acacia arabica, Bambusa dendrocalmus, Mangifera indica, Eugenia jambolana, Ziziphus mauritiana, Saraca asoca, Delonix regia, Barringtonia acutangula, Annona reticulate, Parthenium hysterophorus, Cassia tora, Phaseolus vulgaris, Jasminum sambac and Nyctanthes arbortritus) from Indore district of M.P were collected and analysed for their protein and mineral content. The crude protein and total ash content (%) of the samples ranged from 9.96 to 20.08 and 4.53 to 16.87 respectively. Calcium and phosphorus content of samples were 0.73 to 3.77% and 0.06 to 0.63% on dry matter basis. Among trace minerals content of the leaves, iron was 258 to 872 ppm, zinc was 205 to 840 ppm, copper was 3.45 to 21.65 ppm while cobalt was 1.28 to 9.72 ppm. Crude protein and mineral content of leaves and range plants were found satisfactory except copper. In general Ziziphus mauritiana, Cassia tora and Parthenium hysterophorus were found rich in crude protein and Ficus religiosa, Psidium guajava, Nyctanthes arbortritus and Ziziphus mauritiana were rich in mineral content.