Chemical composition, digestibility and antinutritional factors content oftwo wild legumes: Styphonolobium burseroides and Acacia bilimekii

The chemical composition, digestibility and toxin contents of two wild legu mes: Styphnolobium burseroides and Acacia bilimekii, collected in a semi-ar id zone of Mexico, were determined. Both legumes had a high fiber content. The seeds of Styphnolobium burseroides had a low protein content (14%), and the pod a high content of reducing sugars. However the seeds of Acacia bil imekii had a high protein concentration (35%). The seed proteins were low i n sulphur amino acids and tryptophan in both legumes but were rich in lysin e. Trypsin inhibitors and lectins were present in low concentrations; alkal oids and cyanogenic glucosides were not detected. The in vitro digestibilit y for monogastric animals was low but the same test with ruminal juice show ed a high digestibility for both legumes. Based on their chemical compositi on and digestibility, these legumes could be a good alternative source in t he feeding of ruminants.