Effect of species on macro and micro mineral composition of oak leaves with respect to sheep requirements

C O Ozkan, A I Atalay, O Kurt and A Kamalak

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
akamalak@ksu.edu.tr

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of species on the macro and mineral composition on the oak tree leaves used for small ruminant animal in Turkey.

Calcium contents of oak trees ranged from 8.32 to 8.67 with highest being for Quercus cerris and lowest for Quercus branti. Phosphorus content of oak tree leaves varied widely from 3.06 to 3.38 g/kg DM with highest being for Quercus branti and lowest for Quercus coccifera. Magnesium contents of oak species ranged from 2.34 to 2.54 g/DM with highest being for Quercus branti and lowest for Quercus coccifera. Potassium contents of oak trees ranged between 10.93 to 11.91 g/kg DM, the lower value corresponding to Quercus cerris and the higher to Quercus libani. There were significant differences among oak species in terms of Iron contents which varied between 264.7 to 291.3 mg/kg DM, the lower value corresponding to Quercus libani and the higher to Quercus branti. There were significant differences among oak species in terms of Zinc contents which varied between 32.5 to 41.1 mg/kg DM, the lower value corresponding to Quercus cerris and the higher to Quercus suber. Species had a significant effect on the macro and micro mineral composition of oak tree leaves. All oak species had a significant amount macro and micro minerals to support the growth and production of lamb and sheep.

Key words: macro mineral, micro mineral, sheep, oak tree leaves

Introduction

It is well known that tree leaves play important role for small ruminant animals in providing with energy, protein and mineral for growth in the most parts of world (Kamalak et al 2010; Kaya and Kamalak 2012). Oak is one of the most important trees which provide considerable amount leaves and acorn for ruminant animals to meet their requirements. There are a lot of oak trees from different species in Turkey. Although there are a lot of researches carried out on the chemical composition, nutritive value of oak tree leaves in terms of metabolisable energy and organic matter digestibility (Kamalak et al 2004; Ozkan and Sahin 2006; Kilic et al 2010), the mineral content of oak tree leaves from different species was ignored by researches and thus, there is limited research on the macro and micro mineral contents of oak species such as Q. infectoria, Q. cerris, Q. coccifera, Q. libani, and Q. suber. Macro and micro minerals may have important role as a structural function in bones, as electrolytes in body fluids, as integral components of enzymes and other biologically important compounds (Bourne and Orr 1988). The information about macro and micro mineral compositions of oak tree leaves from different species can be used in accurate formulation of diet to achieve the optimum performance of small ruminant animals. The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of species on the macro and mineral composition on the oak tree leaves used for small ruminant animal in Turkey.

Materials and Methods

Tree leaves

Oak leaves from Q.branti, Q. infectoria, Q. cerris, Q. coccifera, Q. libani, and Q. suber were collected in July, 2014 by hand from eat least 10 different trees of each oak species in Kahramanmaras, Turkey (Figure 1). The soil of the study area is classified as Inceptisols which was formed on a colluvial serpentine-limestone parent material (Yilmaz et al 2000 ). Oak species of Q. infectoria, Q. cerris, and Q. libani, are deciduous with leaf life span between 5-6 months (approximately) whereas oak species of Q. coccifera and Q. suber are evergreen with a leaf life span 15 and 15.6 months (Mediavilla et al. 2008).

Figure 1. Location of Kahramanmaras Province in Turkey (Wikipedia)

Leaf samples were pooled and dried at 65 0C using a forced air oven. Dried oak leaves were ground using a laboratory mill with 1 mm screen size for mineral analysis. Oak tree leaves were subjected to wet-ashing process with hydrogen peroxide following three different steps. Firstly oak leave samples were kept at 145 ºC 75% microwave power for 5 minutes. Secondly oak leave samples were kept at 80 ºC 90% microwave power for 10 minutes. Finally oak leave samples were kept at 100 ºC 40% microwave power for 10 minutes in a wet-ashing unit (speed wave MWS-2 Berghof products + Instruments Harresstr.1. 72800 Enien Germany) resistant to 40 bar pressure (Mertens 2005a). After wet-ashing, macro and micro mineral contents of oak tree leave samples were analyzed using Inductively Couple Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer, Optima 2100 DV, ICP/OES, Shelton, CT 06484-4794, USA) (Mertens 2005b).

Statistical analysis

One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of species on the macro and mineral composition on the oak tree leaves. Significance between individual means was identified using the Tukey’s multiple range tests. Mean differences were considered significant at P<0.05.

Result and Discussion

Macro mineral contests of oak tree leaves

Effect of species on the macro mineral composition of oak tree leaves is given in Table 1. Species had a significant effect on the macro mineral composition of oak tree leaves. Calcium contents of oak trees ranged from 8.32 to 8.67 with highest being for Q. cerris and lowest for Q. branti. The Ca contents of Q. coccifera and Q, infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2011) who reported that Ca contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 5.9 to 12.7 and 2.8 to 17.2 g / kg DM respectively. The Ca contents of Q.cerris is in agreement with findings of Leonardi et al (1999) who reported that Ca contents of Q. cerris was 9.2 g/kg DM. NRC (1985) suggested that calcium contents in the range of 0.2 and 0.82 % of DM are adequate for lamb and sheep at gestation and lactation stages respectively. As can be seen from Table 1, calcium contents of all oak species studied in the current study were higher than the upper value reported by NRC (1985).

Phosphorus content of oak tree leaves varied widely from 3.06 to 3.38 g/kg DM with highest being for Q. branti and lowest for Q. coccifera. Phosphorus contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2011) who reported that P contents of Q.coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 1.38 to 3.74 and 2.09 to 4.33 g/ kg DM respectively. The P contents of Q. cerris is in agreement with findings of Leonardi et al (1999) who reported that P contents of Q. cerris was 2 g/kg DM. NRC (1985) suggested that phosphorus contents in the range of 0.16 and 0.38 % of DM is adequate for lamb and sheep at most production stages. As can be seen from Table 1, phosphorus contents of all oak species studied in the current study were higher than the upper value reported by NRC (1985).

Magnesium contents of oak species ranged from 2.34 to 2.54 g/DM with highest being for Q. branti and lowest for Q. coccifera. Magnesium contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2011) who reported that Mg contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 2.39 to 2.85 and 2.63 to 3.55 g/kg DM respectively. The Mg contents of Q. cerris is in agreement with findings of Leonardi et al (1999) who reported that Mg contents of Q. cerris was 2.1 g/kg DM. Although there is limited information about requirement of magnesium for sheep, NRC (1985) suggested that the minimum requirement of magnesium should be 0.12, 0.15 and 0.18 g/kg DM for growing lamb, pregnant and lactating ewe respectively. As can be seen Table 1, magnesium contents of all oak species were higher those suggested by NRC (1985) for growing lamb, pregnant and lactating ewe.

Potassium contents of oak trees ranged between 10.93 to 11.91 g/kg DM, the lower value corresponding to Q. cerris and the higher to Q. libani. Potassium contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2011) who reported that K contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 4.22 to 14.02 and 2.98 to 12.81 g/kg DM respectively. The K contents of Q. cerris is in agreement with findings of Leonardi et al (1999) who reported that K contents of Q. cerris was 8.9 g/kg DM. Although potassium content of diets for lamb growth should be more than that 0.5 % of DM, the potassium content of diets for lactating sheep should be in the range of 0.7-08 of DM (NRC 1985). As can be seen Table 1, potassium contents of all oak species were higher those suggested by NRC (1985) for lamb and sheep.

There were also significant differences among oak species in terms of sodium content which ranged between 1.24 to 1.50 g/kg DM, the lower value corresponding to Q. branti and the higher to Q. suber. Sodium contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2013) who reported that Na contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 0.57 to 0.85 and 0.68 to 1.44 g/kg DM respectively. The sodium contents in the range of 1 to 4 g/kg DM are adequate for sheep at most production stages (Underwood 1981). Sodium contents of all oak species studied in the current experiment fell into this range. Therefore it is not likely that sodium deficiency will occur with sheep consuming oak trees from different species.

Micro mineral contests of oak tree leaves

Effect of species on the micro mineral composition of oak tree leaves is given in Table 2. Species had also a significant effect on the micro mineral composition of oak tree leaves. There were significant differences among oak species in terms of Iron contents which varied between 264.7 to 291.3 mg/kg DM, the lower value corresponding to Q. libani and the higher to Q. branti. Iron contents ofQ. coccifera and Q. infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2013) who reported that Fe contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 75.1 to 236.7 and 122.3 to 346.2 mg/kg DM respectively. NRC (1985) suggested that 30 mg /kg DM is adequate to meet the dietary iron requirements for all classes of sheep. On the other hand, a maximum tolerable level of Fe has been indicated as 500 mg Fe/kg DM (NRC 1980). As can be seen from Table 2, Fe contents of all oak species studied in the current experiment was eight or nine times higher than that reported by NRC (1985) but lower than maximum tolerable level suggested by NRC (1980).

There were significant differences among oak species in terms of Zinc contents which varied between 32.5 to 41.1 mg/kg DM, the lower value corresponding to Q. cerris and the higher to Q. suber. Zinc contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2013) who reported that Zn contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 17.31 to 33.93 and 22.44 to 30.47 mg/kg DM respectively. Although zinc requirement of lamb for growth is 20 mg/kg DM, zinc requirement of sheep at most production stages is 33 mg /kg DM. The zinc contents of different oak trees are higher than the adequate level of Zinc. Therefore sheep fed on different oak tree species is not likely to suffer from zinc deficiency.

Copper contents of oak tree leaves varied widely from 36.7 to 48.3 mg/kg DM with highest being for Q. infectoria and lowest for Q. coccifera. Copper contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2013) who reported that Cu contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 4.75 to 15.37 and 5.93 to 113.78 mg/kg DM respectively. It is very difficult to give the exact dietary copper requirement of sheep since there are some factors affecting dietary copper requirement of sheep. There are considerable differences among sheep breeds in terms of efficiency in absorbing copper from feedstuffs. On the other hand, the amount of molybdenum in feedstuffs also effect of the dietary copper requirement of sheep. High level of molybdenum in feedstuffs induces the copper deficiency. However the copper contents of oak species is adequate for sheep since the copper contents of oak species higher than that (7-23 mg/kg DM) recommended by NRC (1985).

Manganese contents of oak tree leaves ranged from 67.5 to 82.8 mg/kg DM with highest being for Q. branti and lowest for Q. coccifera. Manganese contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria are consistent with finding of Gokkus et al (2013) who reported that Mn contents of Q. coccifera and Q. infectoria varied from 71.2 to 314.6 mg and 552.5 to 1569 mg/kg DM respectively. Although exact dietary requirement of manganese for sheep is not known, 20 mg/kg DM of manganese should be adequate for sheep at most production stages (NRC 1985). Therefore manganese contents of oak trees from all oak species were three or four times higher than that adequate level for sheep at most production stages.

Conclusions

• Species had a significant effect on the macro and micro mineral composition of oak tree leaves.
  
  
• All oak species had a significant amount macro and micro minerals to support the growth and production of lamb and sheep.

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Received 12 April 2016; Accepted 6 May 2016; Published 2 June 2016

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