Influence of chemical composition and secondary metabolites on the digestibility of Leucaena leucocephala

Abstract

Leucaena leucocephala, for the tropical region, constitutes a protein tree, which is used as the main alternative to solve the lack of food during the dry period is a challenge for researchers. The influence of chemical composition and secondary metabolites on Leucaena leucocephala digestibility was evaluated. A randomized block design with six replications was used. The statistical procedure. Multiple linear equations between in vitro and in situ digestibility, as dependent variable, and the age, NDF, ADF, ADL, Ca, Si, NDF/N, ADF/N, TT, CT and saponins, as independents variables, were established.  An increase in cell wall content, its component, and a variable performance of minerals were obtained. The linear equations between digestibility’s with the age, NDF, ADF and Si (R2> 0,78) and the secondary metabolites TT, CT and saponins (R2> 0,79) showed high fitting. The regrowth age, cell wall components, polyphenol compounds, saponins contents affected the digestibility and these aspects must be taken into consideration to use this plant in animal nutrition.