Chemical Composition of Some Browse Species of Bundelkhand Negi A.S.1, Bhadoria B.K.*, Nag S.K., Kundu S.S. Plant Animal Relationship Division, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284 003, India. *Reprint request: Dr. B.K. Bhadoria, Tel: +91-517-2481112; Fax: +91-517-2730833; E-mail: brijesh@igfri.up.nic.in.
1Present address: Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India. Abstract Eight browse species of Bundelkhand region of India were assessed for their proximate constituents and tannin content. Crude protein content varied from 8.9–25.2 per cent in these shrubs in different seasons. There was less variation in cell wall constituents (NDF, ADF, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) round the year. However, the total phenolics and condensed tannin content showed significant changes with seasons as they were maximum in spring and minimum mostly in summer. None of the browse species was found to contain tannin beyond the harmful level (~5%) except in Grewia flavescens (6.74%) in spring and in all the season in Acacia catechu (6.65–13.6%). These shrub species may be used as source of forage during lean period. Top Key Words Condensed tannins, Total phenolics, Shrubs. Top |