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Proximate composition and biological activity of Chilean Prosopis species
Author(s) -
Astudillo Luis,
SchmedaHirschmann Guillermo,
Herrera Juan P,
Cortés Manuel
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0010(200004)80:5<567::aid-jsfa563>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - exudate , chemistry , xanthine oxidase , amino acid , phenethylamine , food science , botany , composition (language) , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , stereochemistry , linguistics , philosophy
Abstract 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 first 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 profiles, all species surveyed are deficient in essential amino acids. The alkaloids β‐phenethylamine and tryptamine were isolated from P chilensis , and phenethylamine was detected in P tamarugo . At 0.50 mg ml −1 , 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. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry