Polyphenolics and minerals composition of selected browse tree species leaves native to north-western Tanzania traditional fodder banks

Utilisation of browse tree fodder supplements in ruminant feeding in the tropics is limited by lack of information on their nutritive potential. A study was conducted to screen leaves of six browse species (Acacia sieberiana, Boscia spp., Grewia spp., Lonchocarpus capassa, Pithecellobium dulce and Salvadora persica) for potential chemical composition, total extractable phenolics (TEP) and tannins (TET) and concentration of minerals, using chemical assays. The species had high levels of crude protein (CP) that varied among the species from 153 to 231 g kg -1 DM in Grewia spp. and Boscia spp., respectively. Acacia sieberiana had the highest neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (475 vs. 323 g kg -1 DM; P. dulce), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (393 vs. 191 g kg -1 DM; Grewia spp.) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) (196 vs. 71 g kg -1