de Morais, JPGCampana, MGregorini, PabloGarcia, TMMinussi, JFDAPereira, SNPereira, FCDel Valle, TA2024-08-132023-11-292023-11-292023-09-072076-2615AD2J9 (isidoc)38067053 (pubmed)https://hdl.handle.net/10182/17443The present study aims to evaluate the nutritional value of different tree and shrub leaves in Brazilian ruminant production systems. Eight potentially edible trees and shrubs were identified from interviews with 30 ruminant producers: Aroeira (ARO; Lithraea molleoides), Black Mulberry (BMU; Morus nigra), Candeia (CAN; Eremanthus erythropappus), Jatobá (JAT; Hymenaea courbaril), Gliricídia (GLI; Gliricidia sepium), Santa Bárbara tree (SBT; Mélia azedarach), Tithonia (TIT; Tithonia diversifolia), and White Mulberry (WMU; Morus alba). Four leaf samples of each edible tree were sampled, and chemical analyses and in vitro assays were performed. Edible trees (except CAN and JAT) had lower neutral detergent fiber content than Mombasa grass. In addition, SBT, BMU, WMU, and TIT had lower fiber content than the other evaluated edible trees. Consequently, SBT, TIT, BMU, and WMU had improved dry matter degradation. Among the edible trees and shrubs, SMW and WMU increased the potential for gas production (a parameter). On the other hand, CAN decreased the estimated gas production 48 h after incubation. Furthermore, TIT decreased methane production up to 24 h after in vitro fermentation. Thus, except ARO, CAN, and JAT, the edible trees evaluated in the present study are potential feeds in moderate- to high-producing animals. Additionally, TIT fermentation reduces in vitro methane production.8 pagesElectronicen© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.AroeiraCandeiadigestibilityGliricídiaJatobámulberrynutritional valuemethaneSanta Bárbara treeTithoniaJournal Article10.3390/ani132337032076-2615ANZSRC::300303 Animal nutritionANZSRC::300710 Tree nutrition and physiologyANZSRC::370203 Greenhouse gas inventories and fluxesANZSRC::4101 Climate change impacts and adaptationANZSRC::3003 Animal productionANZSRC::3009 Veterinary sciencesANZSRC::3109 Zoologyhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Attribution