Potential nutritive value and methane production of pods, seed and senescent leaves of Gleditsia triacanthos trees

Abstract

The potential nutritive value of different fractions of honey locust was evaluated by their chemical composition and in vitro gas production method. There were significant (P<0.001) differences among parts of honey locust tree in terms of chemical composition. Crude ash (CA) content ranged from 2.55 to 9.19% of DM with highest being for senescent leaves and lowest for seed of honey locust tree. Crude protein (CP) contents ranged from 7.72 to 17.2% of DM with highest being for seed and lowest for pod and senescent leaves of honey locust tree. Cell wall contents such as neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and Acid detergent lignin (ADL) ranged from 24.6 to 46.1, 16.9 to 30.6 and 7.89 to 10.4% of DM respectively, with highest being for senescent leaves of honey locust tree. Starch contents ranged from 18.6 to 22.7% of DM with highest being for seed and lowest for pod whereas starch was not detected in senescent leaves of honey locust tree. Condensed tannin (CT) contents ranged from 0.27 to 15.4% of DM with highest being for senescent leaves and lowest for seeds. Gas and methane productions at 24 h incubation ranged from 33.1 to 67.1 5.48 to 9.68 ml with highest being for seed and lowest for senescent leaves of honey locust tree respectively. In conclusion, pod, seed and senescent leaves of honey locust tree have a potential to provide energy and protein for ruminant animals. However high level of condensed tannin in pods and senescent leaves of honey locust tree should be taken into consideration when included into ruminants diets.