Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol4 / Issue 4 / 2014 / 162-166.

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e - ISSN - 2249-7722

Print ISSN - 2249-7730

International Journal of Phytotherapy

www.phytotherapyjournal.com

USES AND COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS OF PROSOPIS

JULIFLORA, IN PUDUKKOTTAI DISTRICT, SOUTH INDIA

V. Nandagopalan*, A. Doss and S.P. Anand

PG & Research Department of Botany, National College (Autonomous), Trichirappalli 620 001, Tamil Nadu, India

INTRODUCTION

Prosopis plays a leading role in the afforestation

of arid lands. Their capability of growing on degraded

land under arid conditions has made them especially

suitable for this purpose. Being a multipurpose tree, it fits

very well into dry land agroforestry systems, controlling

soil erosion, stabilizing sand dunes, improving soil

fertility, reducing soil salinity, providing fuel energy

resources, supplying feed and forage for grazing animals,

furnishing construction timber and furniture wood,

supplementing food for humans, and promoting honey

production. Prosopis juliflora produces good quality fuel

of high quality calorific value, which burns well even

when freshly cut. It also produces high quality charcoal

and its heartwood is strong and durable. It branches are

widely used as fencing posts, while its pods which are

high in protein and sugars may be important fodder for

livestock, and / or food for humans [1]. However, the

pods have been reported to result in facial contortions,

impacted rumen and constipation among livestock. These

ill effects may sometimes result in death.

Prosopis juliflora is an evergreen tree with a large

crown and an open canopy, growing to a height of 5-10m.

stem green-brown, sinuous and twisted, with axial thorns

situated on both sides of the nodes and branches.

Bark somewhat rough; dull red. The root system includes

a deep taproot. Leaves compound; leaflets in 13-25 pairs,

oblong (3 x 1.7 mm) and dark green, bipinnate with 1 or

sometimes 2 pairs of rachis, almost pendulous. Flowers

lateral to the axis with a tubular, light greenish-yellow,

1.5 mm wide calyx with hooded teeth; corolla light

greenish-yellow, composed of 5 petals with 3 mm wide

pubescent along its edges. Fruit a non-dehiscent pod,

straight, linear, falcate to annular, with a coraceous

mesocarp in 1 segment or divided into several segments;

seeds compressed, ovoid, hard, dark brown, with

mucilaginous endosperm surrounding the embryo;

cotyledons flat, rounded, epigenous when germinating.

Larger branches and trunks yield a high quality

timber, comparable in colour, finish and physical

attributes to Indian rosewood and other commercial

hardwoods. While also used for posts and poles, the

wood, called wooden anthracite in some areas, is almost unsurpassable as a fuel. Fruit pods are high in sugar and

protein and are a rich food source for man and beast.

Prosopis honey is of the highest quality and exudates gum

Corresponding Author: V. Nandagopalan Email:veenan05@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Prosopis juliflora DC.is commonly known as "mesquite". Itis oneof the most economically and ecologically

important tree species in arid and semi-arid zones of the world. The potential of the mesquite as a source of animal

feed, health problems and activated charcoal is discussed. Mesquite was considered one of the most important food

sources to desert dwelling tribes and were also the beans eaten raw and ground (sometimes even with the whole pod)

into a flour which was made into atole (a type of hot meal resembling gruel) and bread.

Key words: Drylands, Livelihood, Fuelwood, Prosopis julifora.

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is comparable to gum arabic. Prosopis products have

added value if processed, such as a 30-fold increase by

turning firewood to finished timber, and even more if

manufactured into furniture [2].

Chemistry

Per 100 g, the flower is reported to contain

(ZMB): 21.0 g protein, 3.2 g fat, 65.8 g total

carbohydrate, 15.5 g fiber, 10.0 g ash, 1,310 mg Ca, and

400 mg P. Leaves contain 19.0 g protein, 2.9 g fat, 69.6 g

total carbohydrate, total carbohydrate, 21.6 g fiber, 8.5 g

ash, 2,080 mg Ca, and 220 g P. Fruits contain 13.9 g

protein, 3.0 g fat, 78.3 g total carbohydrate, 27.7 g fiber,

and 4.8 g ash. Seeds contain (ZMB) 65.2 g protein, 7.8 g

fat, 21.8 g total carbohydrate, 2.8 g fiber, and 5.2 g ash.

Another analysis of the fruit shows 14.35% water

(hygroscopic), 1.64% oil, 16.36% starch, 30.25% glucose,

0.85% nitrogenous material, 5.81% tannin-like material,

3.5% mineral salts, and 27.24% cellulose. Mesquite gum

readily hydrolyses with dilute sulfuric acid to yield L-

arabinose and D-galactose and 4-o-methyl-D-glucuronic

acid at 4:2:1. Owing to the high content of arabinose, the

gum is an excellent source of sugar. Roots contain 6.7%

tannin, bark 38.4%, and dry wood 0.9%. The alkaloids 5-hydroxytryptamine and tryptamine are reported from

this species [3].

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study area

Pudukkottai District was carved out

of Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur districts in January

1974. The district has an area of 4663 Sq. Km. with a

coast line of 39 Kms. The district lies between 78.25' and

79.15' of the Eastern Longitude and between 9.50' and

10.40' of the Northern Latitude. It is bounded by

Tiruchirappalli district in the North and West, Sivaganga

district in the South, Bay of Bengal in the East and

Thanjavur district in the North East. The mean annual

rainfall was 1033 mm and the dry season lasts for six

months (January to June), and receives less than 60 mm

rainfall on monthly average.

Methods

The field work was conducted in Pudukkottai

District during December 2009 to Aug 2010.

Ethnomedicinal data were collected following standard

methods. The questionnaire survey, field observations,

personal interviews and focus group discussion aimed at

gathering information on present and past status of this

plant and their traditional uses. A total 31 local informants

belonging to age group of 25-80 yrs were interviewed

during the survey. At the end of interview, specimen of

plant for their medicinal uses were collected and

identified. The plant specimen collection is deposited in

the department Herbarium, National College,

Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu. The nomenclature and

identification of the plants is carrying out of flora of

Tamilnadu and the other non-published recent literature.

RESULTS

The study shows a high degree of ethnobotanical

novelty and the use of plant sources for medicine by the

rural communities reflects the revival of interest in

traditional folk medicine, besides bringing to the fore

their esoteric knowledge. Prosopis juliflora is an

evergreen tree native to South America (Figure 1). It is a

fast growing, nitrogen-fixing and tolerant to arid

conditions and saline soils. Under the right conditions, P.

juliflora can produce a variety of valuable goods and

services: construction materials, charcoal, soil

conservation and rehabilitation of degraded and saline

soils. Concern about deforestation, desertification and fuel

wood shortages in the late 1970s and early 1980s

prompted a wave of projects across the world. P.juliflora

has survived where other tree species have failed and in

many cases become a major nuisance. P. juliflora has

invaded, and continues to invade, millions of hectares of

rangeland in South Africa, East Africa, Australia and

coastal Asia. In 2004 it was rated one of the worlds top 100 least wanted species (Invasive Species Specialist

Group of the IUCN, 2004).

Improvement of soil fertility

Prosopis juliflora has also been used to shelter

agricultural crops from wind and to reduce the movement

of soil and sand. Its leaves contain various chemicals

known to affect palability to livestock, but also suppress

the germination and growth of crops, weeds and other

trees. Empirical studies conducted in Sudan indicate that

wind speed inside a five-year-old Prosopis juliflora

plantation was reduced by an average 14 %, while

potential evaporation was reduced by 22%. There was

also considerable improvement in soil texture and soil

organic matter under the tree canopy, with soils under the

canopy having higher total nitrogen and available

phosphorus, and lower soil pH than soils in the adjacent

open field [4]. Organic carbon and total nitrogen

concentrations in soils under Prosopis juliflora were 13%

and 45% higher than in the open areas. An evaluation of

the comparative performance of Prosopis juliflora against

other tree species such as Albizia lebbeck, Azadirachta

indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Morus indica, Populus deltoids,

Syzigium cuminii and Syzigium fructicosum found that

Prosopis juliflora seedlings had the highest survival rate,

height gain, girth growth and the highest primary biomass

production. Furthermore, it can spreaded through the root

stock where the soil had loamy and loose texture.

Fodder, shade and fence

The importance of Prosopis as a dry land

resource is illustrated in India where it is considered a

valuable tree species of the desert ecosystem, particularly

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in the arid zone of the northwestern Gujarat state. There,

it constitutes a large percentage of vegetative cover,

producing about 25 to 30 tons of biomass/ha/year at a

short rotation age of 4 to 5 years [5]. Prosopis juliflora

pods are a valuable low cost fodder in the semi-arid areas

of northeastern Brazil [6], where it partly offsets fodder

scarcity during the dry season. Results of feeding trials

indicate that rations for goats, sheep, beef cattle and dairy

cattle can give very good weight gains and/or milk

production when about 60% of the diet consists of ground

Prosopis pods [7]. The remarkable economic and

physiological characteristics of Prosopis juliflora make it

a prime contributor to the development of many arid

regions, especially if its invasive habit is controlled and

the thorns that limit its widespread acceptance are

controlled [8].

Prosopis juliflora is considered to be a valuable

tree species of the desert ecosystem. The collection,

processing and marketing of various minor forest

products obtained from different parts of Prosopis

juliflora. The following forest products have been

collected from different parts of the northwestern arid

zone of Gujarat: pods, gum, honey, and wood for charcoal

production. Prosopis has also been used to combat

desertification. Pods collection for livestock feed

Prosopis juliflora trees have a tremendous potential for

pod production. Because of the high carbohydrate content

and good amount of protein, the spongy walls of ripe pods

are highly nutritive and used in making meal for humans

(pinole) and alcoholic beverages (Mesquitabole, mesquite

wines, etc.). The husk of pods is used for dying; they

contain tannin (1.9%). Raizada and Chatterjee [9] have

noticed that the ripe pods are said to have high nutritive

value, i.e., rich in sugar and nitrogen and are greedily

eaten by most of the herbivorous animals and livestock.

Further, the pods may yield a substitute for wood

shavings used in various industries for thermal insulation

and acoustic control [10].

Gum production

Gum production Prosopis juliflora exudes gum

from the sap wood. On average, about 40 g of gum is

produced from one plant. However, under drought

conditions more gum is exuded. During 1991-1992, the

maximum production of more than 1000 metric tons was

obtained. This compares to the normal yield of about of

about 300 metric tons/year (GSFDC, Vadodara*s

records). The gum forms adhesive mucilage, with

favourable physical and chemical properties, that can be

used as an emulsifying agent. Prosopis gum also finds use

in confectionery, mending pottery, and as an adulterant

and substitute for gum Arabic [11]. Owing to the high

content of arabinose, which is easily separable, the gum

has proved to be an excellent source of this sugar.

Moreover, the gum is used in industries, etc. If additional

utilization of this gum can be found, it would further

enhance the value of this already economically important

tree [12]. Furthermore, the gum contains: D-galactose

45%; L-arabinose 24%; L-rhamnose 13% and glucuromic

acid 13.7%. It possesses fairly good adhesive strength and

can be used as paper adhesive for brown paper and wall

paper. The gum has also been used in treating eye

infections [13].

Firewood and charcoal

Charcoal is prepared by burning thick stems and

roots of trees under anaerobic conditions. Only one third

of the total quantity of fuel wood processed becomes

charcoal. The wood is hard and heavy (specific gravity

0.70). It is excellent firewood (calorific value is 4800 k

cal/kg) that burns slowly and evenly and holds heat well.

Because of its superior quality, it is considered to be one

of the best charcoals. Dry wood, on destructive distillation

gives 33.9% charcoal, 1.24 methanol and 124.8 litre/kg of

gas. Prosopis wood, together with rice husk and other

agro-wastes, can be briquetted to form a good quality

white coal (Figure 2 &3). Other forms of charcoal can be

used for household purposes. In addition, the Gujarat

Agricultural University manufactures charcoal from

Prosopis juliflora for the government of Gujarat. Between

1990- 1995, it manufactured about 300,000 bags of

charcoal and generated about 300,000 mandays of labor

demand. In Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, Prosopis pods

are an important source of animal feed [14].

CONCLUSION

Health Problems

The thorn of Prosopis on penetrating the eye or

skin of human and animals causes more inflammation

than expected from the physical injury. An injury from

the thorn of this species does not heal easily despite

intensive medical treatments (personal communication

with the pastoralists). The irritation may be due to waxes

[15]. The local inhabitants are severely affected by injury

from the thorns of Prosopis and are complaining about its

rapid colonization of the area. Using the wood in a

fireplace can also cause dermatitis [16]. The available

reports on cattle toxicity vary. According to reports by

local Afar pastoralists, the ingestion of the pod over long

periods of time will result in death of cattle. Stomach

poisoning by the pod may induce a permanent impairment

of the ability to digest cellulose. This might be due to the

high sugar content of the pod that depresses the rumen

bacterial cellulose activity and finally killing the animal.

Other uses

Prosopis juliflora flowers profusely twice a year

and produces sweet nectar that gives excellent honey

(Figure 4). In the last five years, about 300 metric tons of

honey has been collected, processed, and marketed and

Apisfloriea, that is found in large numbers in Kachchh

district due to its peculiar climatic and environmental

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conditions. The honey produced by Apisfloriea is

regarded as one of the best quality of honey from the

medicinal point of view, with an A grade by researchers

at the Central Bee Research & Training Institute (CBRTI)

in Pune.

Figure 1. Prosopis juliflora

Figure 2. View of initial process of the stem is

geometrically arranged in the conical form of structure

Figure 3. Final stages of charcoal making

Figure 4. View of honey comb in-between the Prosopis tree

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3. Simpson BB. (ed.). Mesquite, its biology in two desert scrub ecosystems. Dowden,Hutchinson& Ross, Inc. Stroudsburg, PA. 1977.

4. El Fadl MA. Management of Prosopis juliflora for use in agroforestry systems in the Sudan. University of Helsinki Tropical Forestry Reports, 16, 1997, 107.

5. Varshney AK. Survey reveals alarming advance of desert. In, Times of India, Regional, dated, 17.11. 95, 1996.

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6. De Barros NAMT, Bai CAG and Fonseca FCE. Use of Prosopis juliflora (Sw) DC and cassava (Manihot utilissima Pohl) for confined sheep feeding during the dry season.In, Mario A. Habit and Julio C. Saavedra (eds), The current state

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10. Narayanmurti. Indian For Bull, 207, 1955, 41. 11. Krochmal A, Paur S and Duisber P. Useful native plants in American southwestern deserts. Eco Bot, 8, 1954, 3-20. 12. Ganguly, BN. and Kaul, RN. Gumosis in Prosopis juliflora, Sci and Cult, 27, 1961, 489-490. 13. Vimal OP and Tyagi PD. Prosopis juliflora Chemistry & Utilization. In, Role of Prosopis in Wasteland Development.

(V.J. Patel, ed.), OPV-1 to 8. Jivrajbhai Patel Agroforestry Centre, Surendrabag-Kardij - 364 061 (Gujarat), 1986.

14. Felker, Peter and James Moss (editors). Prosopis, semi-arid fuel wood and forage, tree building consensus for the disenfranchised. A workshop. 13th 15th march, 1996. US National Academy of Science. 55, 1996.

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