LEAF PROTEIN-CONCENTRATES (LPC) IN CANAVALIA-ENSIFORMIS

The performance of Canavalia ensiformis in the production of leaf prot ein concentrates (LPC) during the flowering stage (14-17 weeks) was st udied in a random block design with 4 replications. The sowing was car ried out in a typical red ferrallitic soil and protein extraction was practised at pH 4.5 and 85 degrees C. Forage production did not vary w ith cutting ages and ranged between 8.8 and 12.4 t DM/ha and the highe st protein percentage was obtained at 16 weeks (28.18% CP) without dif fering from the 17th week. The LPC did not differ in DM and CP yields attaining yields of 683.09 kg DM/ha and 366.75 kg CP/ha at 15 weeks, w hile the CP percentage ranged between 53 and 54%. The CP percentage ex tracted decreased (P < 0.01) from 15 to 17 weeks and the residues of t he process attained 8.08 t DM/ha and 1.53 t/CP/ha at 17 weeks with lev els between 18 and 20% of CP. Although any of the ages evaluated could be used in the production of LPC, the 15 weeks cut is more feasilbe a t 15 weeks. Also, this study should be extended until completing the p lant's vegetative cycle to learn the optimum harvest time for the prod uction of leaf protein concentrates, as well as to carry out physiolog ical and nutritional studies to the products and by-products of the pr ocess, for its possible use as a non-conventional feeding source.