Journal of Biodiversity & Endangered Species

Desert Dwelling Trees: Forage Suitability and Ethnobotany, Pakistan

Abstract

Hussain T, Rafay M, Manj IA , Ghazi MA, Rasool MA* and Guangchun L

Phytochemicals are primary and secondary compounds naturally occurring in the plants and trees that have defensive and protection mechanism from various diseases. Plant chemistry has been an integral component for man service as evident from history, providing substantial, entho-botanical and chemical remedies for locals in any subject area. The phyto-chemical profile of five desert dwelling tree species i.e. Salvadora oleides, Acacia nilotica, Prosopis cineraria, Tamarix aphylla and Ziziphus mauritiana was analyzed in Cholistan desert, Punjab, Pakistan. Photochemical analysis of air dried leaves/twigs powder confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins but no steroids during extraction. Moreover Chemical analyses revealed that crude fiber (CF) content was 16.67% and 6.67% in Prosopis cineraria and Acacia nilotica respectively, crude protein was found highest (2.62%) in Zizyphus mauritiana, slightly lower in Salvadora oleoides (2.36%) and minimum in Acacia nilotica (1.43%). Salvadora oleioides had highest (41.67%) ash content, while minimum in Prosopis cineraria (8%). Fat content (EE) was limiting as 5.33% in Acacia nilotica and lowest value in Salvadova oleoides (2.33%). Whereas, nitrogen free extract (NFE) was found maximum in Zizyphus mauritiana (72.22%). Results revealed species have high nutritional and medicinal values for livestock and local people.