Proximate composition and biological activity of ChileanProsopis species

✍ Scribed by Astudillo, Luis; Schmeda-Hirschmann, Guillermo; Herrera, Juan P; Cort�s, Manuel

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 117 KB
• Volume: 80
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-5142
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0010(200004)80:5<567::aid-jsfa563>3.0.co;2-y

✦ Synopsis

The proximate and amino acid compositions of the leaves and pods of Prosopis chilensis and P tamarugo and the leaves of P alba have been assessed. The biological activity of the leaves and pods of the ®rst two species as well as the leaves and exudate of P alba has been determined for free radical scavenging activity, xanthine oxidase inhibition and DNA binding. The best protein source among the forage trees was the leaves of P chilensis; P alba and P tamarugo leaves showed higher crude protein, fat and nitrogen-free extract values than reported in previous studies. According to their amino acid pro®les, all species surveyed are de®cient in essential amino acids. The alkaloids b-phenethylamine and tryptamine were isolated from P chilensis, and phenethylamine was detected in P tamarugo. At 0.50 mg ml À1 , both compounds showed DNA binding activity, with values of 18.5 and 11% respectively. The exudate of P alba showed a strong free radical scavenging effect. The activity was related with the total phenolics content, consisting mainly of catechin.