Anatomy, nutritional value and cell wall chemical analysis of foliage leaves in Guadua chacoensis (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae), a promising source of forage

PANIZZO, CECILIA C.; FERNÁNDEZ, PAULA VIRGINIA; COLOMBATTO, DARÍO; CIANCIA, MARINA; VEGA, ANDREA S.

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2017

0022-5142

BACKGROUND: The present study combines morphological and anatomical studies, cell wall chemical composition, as well as the assessment of the nutritional value of Guadua chacoensis foliage leaves. RESULTS: Foliage leaves of G. chacoensis are a promising source of forage because: (a) as a native woody bamboo it is adapted and it helps to maintain environmental conditions in America, (b) leaf anatomical studies exhibit discontinuous sclerenchyma, scarcely developed; pilose indumentum, silica cells, prickles, and hooks are also scarce, (c) it has a high protein content, similar to that of Medicago sativa, while other nutritional parameters are similar to those of common forages, and (d) glucuronoarabinoxylan, the major extracted polysaccharide, has 1/3 of the 4-linked B-D-xylopyranosyl units of the backbone substituted mainly with a-L-arabinofuranose as single stubs or non reducing end of short chains, but also 5-linked a-L-arabinofuranose units, terminal B-D-xylopyranose and D-galactopyranose units, and a-D-glucuronic acid residues, and small amounts of its 4-O-methylated derivative. CONCLUSION: These results constitute the first report for this species and as culms are utilized in constructions and crafts, the remaining leaves, when used as forage, constitute a byproduct that allows an additional income opportunity.