Chemical composition and nutritional value of leaves and fruits of aninga (Montrichardia linifera, Araceae) for large herbivores

• Published in: Acta amazonica 2010-12, Vol.40 (4), p.729-736
• Main Authors: do Amarante, CB, Mueller, RCS, das Gracas Fernandes Dantas, K, Alves, C N, Mueller, AH, da Conceicio Palheta, D
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Araceae; Freshwater; Montrichardia; Ruminantia
• ISSN: 0044-5967

The aninga (Montrichardia linifera, Araceae) is often found in the floodplain ecosystems of the Amazon and is the natural diet of animals such as manatees, turtles, fish, buffalo and cattle. Aiming to contribute to the chemical knowledge and nutritional value of this plant, leaves and fruits of M. linifera were collected on the banks of the Guama and Maratauira rivers, Para State, Brazil. We determined the moisture content, ash mineral composition, lipids, protein, fiber, carbohydrate and caloric value of the fruits and leaves. The mineral composition (Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) was obtained by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The leaves and the fruits of M. linifera had caloric values of 289.75 kcal and 355.12 kcal, respectively; and a low protein concentration, 0.44% for leaves and-0.24% for fruits. Manganese concentrations were 3279.46 mg kg super(-1) for leaves and 18151.53 mg kg super(-1) for fruits. These Mn concentrations are considered toxic, as they exceed the maximum tolerable for the ruminants (1000 mg kg super(-1)). The M. linifera has the capacity to absorb and bioaccumulate large amounts of Ca, Mg and Mn in the soil, which makes it inappropriate for exclusive use as food for turtles, cattle and buffaloes, requiring more studies for its application as part of the diet.Original Abstract: Montrichardia linifera (Araceae), conhecida popularmente como 'aninga', faz parte dos ecossistemas de varzea da Amazonia e da dieta natural de animais como peixe-boi, tartarugas, peixes, bufalo e gado. Com o objetivo de contribuir para o conhecimento quimico e valor nutricional da mesma, folhas e frutos de M. linifera foram coletados as margens dos rios Guama e Maratauira, no Estado do Para, Brasil. Em folhas e frutos foram realizadas analises de umidade, residuo mineral fixo (cinzas), lipidios, proteinas, fibra bruta, concentracao de carboidratos e valor calorico. A composicao mineral (Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn e Mn) foi obtida por espectrometria de absorcao atomica de chama. Observou-se que tanto as folhas quanto os frutos da aninga, apesar de caloricos (289,75 kcal e 355,12 kcal, respectivamente), possuem baixo valor proteico (0,44% e 0,24%, respectivamente). As concentracoes de manganes obtidas (folha = 3279,46 mg kg super(-1)e fruto = 18151,53 mg kg super(-1)) foram consideradas toxicas, extrapolando o limite maximo toleravel para ruminantes (1000 mg kg super(-1)). A M. linifera, tem capacidade de absorver e bioacumular grandes quantidades de Ca, Mg e Mn pre