Fractionation of leaves and biochemical composition of the fractions

A. Nag and S. Matai

Abstract

Leaf protein concentrates were prepared from tree species Albizzia procera, Moringa oleifera and Sesbania grandiflora. Leaf protein concentrates were analyzed for protein, crude fat, ash, crude fibre, calcium,  hosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium and amino acids. Calculated values for the antinutritional factors like polyphenols (free and bound) and alkaloids were also included. Analysis showed that the leaf protein concentrate from tree leaves was a good source of protein (48–60% on dry weight basis) compared with other fractions. Leaf protein of A. procera had the lowest amount of ash (4%), while leaf protein of M. oleifera had the highest in vitro digestibility (50%) among the three protein concentrates. Both fresh leaves and protein concentrates were rich sources of calcium, potassium, phosphorous and iron but poor source of sodium. The protein concentrates were good sources of essential amino acids except A. procera where sulphur containing amino acids were limiting. The fresh leaves (9%) and protein concentrate (8%) of S. grandiflora had the highest polyphenol content compared with two other species. The presence of alkaloids was observed in the fresh leaves of the three species.

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