Determination of Tannins and Alkaloids Content of Some Rangeland Plants Commonly Consumed by Grazing Camels in Sudan

Abstract

Rangeland plants are important for domestic and wild animals nutrition in the Sudan and animal production relied mainly on rangeland plants. They are mainly classified into herbs, shrubs and trees . Anti-nutritional factors especially Tannins and Alkaloids have adverse effects on plants nutritive value and informations of Tannins and Alkaloids content in rangeland plants are not available. Consequently, this study was conducted to furnish these informations. Anumber of five Rangeland plants were brought from Gedarif State (eastern Sudan) and sixteen Rangeland plants were brought from North Kordofan State (western Sudan) that are common feed for Camels in Sudan were investigated. The samples of the Rangeland plants were air dried and grinded for laboratory analysis to determine Tannins and Alkaloids contents. Tannins and Alkaloids percentages varied among plants. The highest percentage of Tannins was in Boscia senegalensis (Mukheit) (15.2%) and the least one was in Cenchrus biflorus (Huskanit) (0.11%) . Alkaloids percentage was highest in Acacia senegal (Hashab) (2.4%) and least in Sida cardifolia (Njata), Cenchrus biflorus (Huskanit) and Sesamum alatum (Semsemlgumal) (0.6%) . It was concluded that Rangeland plants varied in anti-nutritional factors and recommended that anti-nutritional factors should be considered due to adverse effects on plants nutritive value and limit many plants exploitation. Keywords: Rangeland, Plants, Tannins, Alkaloids, Camels.