Chemical and mineral constituents of Haloxylon salicornicum from Cholistan Desert,, Pakistan

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012

306 [email protected]

Study of chemical and mineral constituents of Haloxylon

salicornicum collected from Cholistan Desert, Bahawalpur,

Pakistan

Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf1*

, Karamat Mahmood2, Shahnaz Kousar

2, Abdul Wajid

2 and Ismail

Yusoff3

1 Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2Department of chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur 63100 Pakistan

3 Department of Geology, University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: +60172770972 E-mail: [email protected]

The research is financed by The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan and University of

Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

The present study evaluates the proximate composition and mineral constituents of Haloxylon

salicornicum plant collected from Choilsitan Desert, Pakistan. Total 125 plant samples (stem and

leaves) were collected from ten different locations in the area. Collected samples were washed, dried,

ground and sieved through 20 mm mesh sieve. The powdered samples were analysed for chemical

and minerals analysis using standards procedures developed by Association of Official Analytical

Chemists (AOAC). The results showed that stem and leaves of Haloxylon salicornicum are rich in

minerals and chemical components, therefore can be a good source of animal feeds. Phytochemical

investigation of plants revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, bound

glycosides suggesting that plant can be useful in medicinal field. In conclusion, it is suggested that

Haloxylon salicornicum has great medicinal and nutritional importance which can be a good sources

of some important nutrients for humans and can become a source of poverty alleviation for the poor

local community of the area.

Key words: Haloxylon salicornicum, stem; leaves; phytochemical; nutritive analysis.

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


1. Introduction

The use of the medicinal plants all over the world predates the introduction of antibiotics and other

modern drugs. Herbal medicines have been widely used and formed an integral part of the primary

healthcare in different parts of world mainly, China (Daccord et al. 2002), Ethiopia (Desta 1993),

Argentina (Anesini & Perez 1993), Papua New Guinea (Nick et al. 1995) and all over Indo-Pak

regions from centuries (Muneer et al. 2006). The biochemical and mineral analysis of medicinal

plants has been carried out in detail by several workers (Iqbal et al. 1981, Gul-e-Rana et al. 1990,

Rashid et al. 1999, 2001, Karamat et al. 2002, Ahmad et al. 2007).

Keeping in view, the present study investigates the chemical composition of Haloxylon

salicornicum. Haloxylon persicum Bunge ('Ghada') is one of the well known saxaul tress of Central

Asia, Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan, North West China and near eastern deserts (Butnik et al. 1991,

Stuart Chapin 2001). It is an Irano-Turanian species which apparently originated in Central Asia,

where it is an important component of the desert vegetation (Sanderson et al. 2002). Haloxylon

salicornicum is distributed throughout Afghanistan, Pakistan (Balochistan, Sindh) and India. In

general, it is a plant of sandy habitats growing mostly on the shallow depressions along the slopes of

dunes. It is a potential source of firewood, and in some deserts of Central Asia, it yields up to 50,000

kg of charcoal per hectare (Naeem et al. 2000). It is very tolerant to environmental extremes in

temperature, light and water availability (Casati et al. 1999).

Haloxylon salicornicum belongs to family Chenopodiaceae locally called as “Lana” or

“Khar” (Shafi et al. 2002) is a common shrub in desert areas of Pakistan. It is a much branched,

perennial erect leafless shrub, woody at base. Stem and branches are pale yellow, jointed, joints

produces into two short triangular points which take the place of leaves and are woolly within,

flowers and fruits not observed (Figure 1). It is a fodder plant, mostly grazed by the camels, has high

salt contents, better to reclaim the soil, its extract is used to wash the cloth. The plant also has some

medicinal value in livestock to cure ailments (Bhandari 1995). Some native people also claim about

this plant as poisonous on the basis of local non-scientific knowledge (Ahmad et al. 2007) and mostly

applied externally on insect stings by local population (Arshad et al. 2002). In folk medicine, its

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


decoction is recognized for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. Traditional healers are using

it to treat intestinal ulcers (Shafi et al. 2002). A piperidyl alkaloid “haloxynin” has also been isolated

and characterized form Haloxylon salicornicum by mass spectrometry, among the 80 identified

alkaloids, 10 alkaloids were recorded for the first time from this plant and the genus haloxylon,

haloxynine, halosaline, haloxine, anabasine and smipine figure as a major alkaloids with a relative

abundance of more than 5% of total alkaloids. Some of these alkaloids are known to be stronger

agonistic at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and it is thus likely that they serve as chemical defense

compounds against insects and mammalian herbivores (El-Shazly et al. 2005).

Figure 1: Haloxylon salicornicum collected from Cholistan Desert, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

1.1. Study Area

Pakistan lies between 24o–37

o North latitude and 61

o–75.5

o East longitude, covering an area of

796,095 sq. km. Out of this area, 468,000 sq. km is in the north and west in the form of mountainous

land and plateau, while the remaining 328,000 sq. km comprises the plains. Environmental variability

in Pakistan is enormous, ranging from high snowy Himalayan peaks in the north to the hot humid

climate of shores of the Arabian Sea in the south. Cholistan is an extension of the Great Indian Desert

which includes the Thar Desert in Sindh province of Pakistan and the Rajasthan Desert in India

(Figure 2), covering an area of 85000 km2, it lies within Southeast quadrant of Punjab province

between 27º42' and 29º45' North latitude and 69º52' and 73º05' East longitude (Jowkar et al. 1996,

Ahmad 1999, 2002, FAO 2004, Arshad et al. 2007, Ahmad & Sameera 2007). The climate of the area

is an arid subtropical, continental type, characterized by low and sporadic rainfall, high temperature,

low relative humidity, high rate of evaporation and strong summer winds (Ahmad 2002). Aridity is

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


one of the most striking features of the Cholistan desert with wet and dry years occurring in clusters

(Akbar et al. 1996, Akbar & Arshad 2000, FAO 2004). The entire area of this desert is rain

dependant for its ground water recharge and drinking water being stored in dug-out ponds (Tobas).

Underground water is at the depth of 30-40 m and mostly is brackish having salt concentration 9000-

24000 mg/l (FAO 2004). The mean annual temperature of the area is 27.5ºC, whereas mean summer

temperature is 35.5ºC, and winter temperature is 18ºC. The average maximum summer temperature

goes up to 46ºC (Figure 2) and average minimum winter temperature falls up to 7ºC. The month of

June is the hottest and daily maximum temperature normally exceeds 45ºC and sometimes crosses

50ºC (Ahmad 2002). The daily maximum temperature comes down in July due to monsoon rainy

season in the country. There is always an abrupt fall in temperature during the nights. Mean annual

rainfall varies from less than 100 mm in the west to 200 mm in the east. Rainfall is usually received

during monsoon (July through September) and in winter and spring (January through March)

(Mughal 1997, Arshad et al. 2006). About half of the total rainfalls come under threshold category

while, others do not create runoff however, on the whole create a favourable environment for the

growth of vegetation (Abdullah et al. 1990, Akbar & Arshad 2000).

Figure 2: Landuse system of Cholistan Desert, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

On the basis of its topography i.e., parent material, soil and vegetation; it is divided into

two geomorphic regions. The northern region (Lesser Cholistan) bordering the canal-irrigated areas

cover about 7770 km2 while the southern region (Greater Cholistan) comprises 18130 km2. The

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


Lesser Cholistan consists of large saline, hard and compact areas (locally called ‘Dahars’) alternating

with low sandy ridges. Sand dunes are stabilized, semi-stabilized or shifting, while the valleys are

mostly covered with sand. The soils are classified as either saline or saline sodic, with pH ranging

from 8.2 to 8.4 and 8.8 to 9.6, respectively. The Greater Cholistan is a wind sorted sandy desert and

comprises river terraces, large sand ridges and less interdunal plain areas (Baig et al. 1980, Akbar et

al. 1996, Akbar & Arshad 2000, Arshad et al. 2006).

The vegetation of Cholistan desert is a typical of arid regions and comprises of xerophytic

species, adapted to extreme seasonal temperature, moisture fluctuation and a wide variety of edaphic

conditions (Rao & Arshad 1991, Akbar & Arshad 2000, Arshad et al. 2007). Vegetation cover is

comparatively better in eastern region (200 mm rainfall zone) than the hyper arid southern region

(100 mm rainfall zone). The soil topography and chemical composition is playing an important role

in plant distribution in the area (Arshad & Rao 1994, Arshad et al. 1999). The association of certain

plant species to certain soils at different places is very common. On the top of the dunes (stabilized)

Haloxylon salicornicum and Calligonum polygonoides are the dominant species. These species are

good soil binders and do not require much moisture, as their roots can penetrate deeper in search of

water. Grasses like Cymbopogan jwarancusa, Panicum antidotale, Digitaria pennata, Dichanthium

annulatum and Eragrostis japonica are found to cover the middle of dunes. These too are good soil

binders and have a high fodder value. At the bottom of dunes the dominant species are Haloxylon

recurvum. Aerua tomentosa, Leptadenia spartium, Zizyphus nummularia, and Crotalaria burhia.

However, species like AIhagi camelorum, Tribulus terrestris, Euphorbia prostrata, Calotropis

procera and C.gigantea were observed to grow abundantly in shady habitats of the dunes. These

plants are neither soil binders nor have they any fodder value. The compact saline ‘dahars’ without

any soil cover are dominated by Haloxylon recurvum, Haloxylon salicornicum and Suaeda fruticosa,

whereas Salsola baryosma, Sporobolus ioclados, Aeluropus lagopoides, Capparis decidua,

Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Ochthochloa compressa and Prosopis cineraria are specific to the ‘dahars’

having some sandy cover. Similarly, the sand dunes are dominated by Calligonum polygonoides,

Aerva javanica, Panicum turgidum and Lasiurus scindicus (Chaudhary 1992, Arshad et al. 2002,

2006, 2007, Ramirez et al. 2004, Arshad et al. 2007).

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The past literature showed that less work has been carried out on mineral and nutritional

analysis of Haloxylon salicornicum. In present work an attempt has been made to elucidate and

analyze Haloxylon salicornicum have this forage contained sufficient amount of mineral and other

nutrients.

2. Material & Methods

2.1. Plant collection and sampling

Samples collecting expeditions were executed in 2008 and 2009 in the sand dunes of Cholistan

Desert, Pakistan by the author with the help of two research assistants from the Department of

Chemistry, Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

Table 1: (Selection Criteria) for ten sampling sites in Cholistan Desert, Pakistan

Accession

Number

Collection

Number

Name of the

Site

Soil Texture Habitat Description Vegetation Type

1 LS1/3 Lal Suhanra Sand stone with

clayed sand

Plain surface in the

periphery

Dominant grasses and

shrubs

2 LS1/2 Kalay Paharr Sand stone, lime

stone

Plain surface in the

periphery

Dominant herbs with

grasses and few

shrubs

3 KP1/2 Kalay Paharr Sandy clay Inside desert Dominant grasses

with herbs

4 KP1/3 Kalay Paharr Sandy clay Inside desert Dominant large shrubs

with grasses

5 KP2/2 Kalay Paharr Red sandy clay

with sand stone

Inside Desert Small shrubs and

herbs with grasses

6 KP2/4 Kalay Paharr Mostly sand stone Inside Desert Mixture of grasses and

herbs

7 DR2/3 Derawar

Fort

Sandy clay Moderate slope Sedges and small

shrubs

8 SZE1/15 Sheikh Zaid

Enclosure

Lime stone, sand

stone

Steep slope Dominant grasses

with large and

medium shrubs


Enclosure

Lime stone with

sand stone

More or less flattered

peripheral area

Dominant grasses

with herbs


Enclosure

Sand stone with

clay stone

Uneven peripheral

area

Dominant grasses and

shrubs

Field survey of desert was performed for this purpose, which comprised of the following three

aspects: selection of sites, collection of data, and analysis of data. On the findings of a preliminary

survey, ten study sites namely, Lal Suhanra, Kalay Paharr, Derawar Fort and Sheikh Zaid Enclosure

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


were selected mainly on the basis of variation in their ecological attributes, especially topography,

vegetation type and soil composition. Information about the ecology, brief geological position and

soil properties of these sites are presented in (Table 1).

2.2. Preparation of the plant materials for chemical analyses

Total 125 plant samples (green leaves or leaflets and immature pods) of available plant

Haloxylon salicornicum were collected from the ten sites. These collected samples were washed to

remove any soil debris material, dried at room temperature to remove residual moisture, then placed

in paper envelope and oven-dried at 55ºC for 24 h (Aletor & Adeogun 1995, Abuye et al. 2003). The

dried stem and leaves were ground into powder using pestle and mortar, and sieved through 20-mesh

sieve. The powder was used for the nutrients analysis.

2.3. Chemical analysis

The methods recommended by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used

to determine ash (#942.05), crude lipid (#920.39), crude fibre (#962.09) and nitrogen content

(#984.13) (AOAC, 1997).

2.4. Determination of crude lipid and crude fibre content

Two grams of dried stem and leaves were weighed in a porous thimble of a Soxhlet

apparatus, with its mouthed cotton wool plugged. The thimble was placed in an extraction chamber,

which was suspended above a pre-weighed receiving flask containing petroleum ether (b.p. 40-60ºC).

The flask w as heated on a heating mantle for eight hours to extract the crude lipid. After the

extraction, the thimble was removed from the Soxhlet apparatus and the solvent distilled off. The

flask containing the crude lipid was heated in the oven at 100ºC for 30 min to evaporate the solvent,

then cooled in a dessicator, and reweighed. The difference in weight was expressed as percentage

crude lipid content. Crude fibre was estimated by acid-base digestion with 1.25% H2SO4 (prepared by

diluting 7.2 ml of 94% conc. acid of specific gravity 1.835g/ml per 1000 ml distilled water) and

1.25% NaOH (12.5 g per 1000 ml distilled water) solutions. The residue after crude lipid extraction

was put into a 600 ml beaker and 200 ml of boiling 1.25% H2SO4 added. The contents were boiled for

30 minutes, cooled, filtered through a filter paper and the residue washed three times with 50 ml

aliquots of boiling water. The washed residue was returned to the original beaker and further digested

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by boiling in 200 ml of 1.25% NaOH for 30 minutes. The digest was filtered to obtain the residue.

This was washed three times with 50 ml aliquots of boiling water and finally with 25 ml ethanol. The

washed residue was dried in an oven at 130ºC to constant weight and cooled in a dessicator. The

residue was scraped into a pre–weighed porcelain crucible, weighed, ashed at 550ºC for two hours,

cooled in a dessicator and reweighed. Crude fibre content was expressed as percentage loss in weight

on ignition (AOAC 1997, Nesamvuni et al. 2001)

2.5. Determination of nitrogen content and estimation of crude protein

Macro-Kjeldahl method was used to determine the nitrogen content of the 2 g of dried

stem or fruits stem were digested in a 100 ml Kjeldahl digestion flask by boiling with 10 ml of

concentrated tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid and a Kjeldahl digestion tablet (a catalyst) until the mixture

was clear. The digest was filtered into a 100 ml volumetric flask and the solution made up to 100 ml

with distilled water. Ammonia in the digest was steam distilled from 10 ml of the digest to which had

been added 20 ml of 45% sodium hydroxide solution. The ammonia liberated was collected in 50 ml

of 20% boric acid solution containing a mixed indicator. Ammonia was estimated by titrating with

standard 0.01 mol L-1

HCl solution. Blank determination was carried out in a similar manner. Crude

protein was estimated by multiplying the value obtained for percentage nitrogen content by a factor

of 6.25 (AOAC 1997).

2.6. Estimation of carbohydrates and energy values

Available carbohydrate was estimated by difference, by subtracting the total sum of

percent crude protein, crude lipid, crude fibre and ash from 100% DW of the plant the plant calorific

value (kJ) was estimated by multiplying the percentages of crude protein, crude lipid and

carbohydrate by the factors 16.7, 37.7 and 16.7 respectively (AOAC 1997).

2.7. Mineral analysis

The stem and leaves parts of Haloxylon salicornicum were analyzed for the mineral

contents present. The wet digestion method (nitric and perchloric acid) was used in the preparation of

the samples. Sodium (Na), Potassium (K) and Lithium (Li) were determined using the standard flame

emission photometer (Corning 410, USA). NaCl, KCl and LiCl were used as the standards (AOAC

1997). Phosphorus (P) and Sulpher (S) was determined calorimetrically using the Spectronic 20

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


(Gallenkamp, UK) as described by Hansen et al. (2009). Nitrogen (Kjeldhal method); while Calcium

(Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Lead (Pb), Cobolt (Co), Nickel (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) was analyzed by

Atomic Absorption A Analyst 100 (Perkin Elmer, USA) (Table 3).

2.8. Phytochemical analysis

Stem and leaves parts of Haloxylon salicornicum were subjected to the qualitative

phytochemical analysis. Extracted crude lipids from stem and leaves were subjected to elucidate the

chemical properties of the crude lipids. Standard procedures of American Oil Chemist Society were

used for indices values AOAC (AOAC 1997), procedures were applied for i.e; iodine value (standard

993.20, 1997), acid value (standard 969.17, 1997) and saponification value (standard 920.160, 1997)

(Table 4). The crude powdered stem was analyzed for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins

anthraquinones, bound anthraquinones, glycosides and cardiac glycosides according to established

procedures (Harbone, 1973, Trease & Evans 1989, Brain & Turner 1989) (Table 5).

2.9. Statistical analysis

Each experiment was repeated three times. The results are presented with their means and

standard error. The results were prepared by using MS Excel 2003 version. All the experiments were

performed at room temperature350C ± 2. The proximate results are expressed as percentage of sample

on dry weight basis. The dry matter of the samples was determined by using the following formula;

Dry matter % = 100 − Moisture content

3. Results

Table 2 presents the results for proximate analysis of Haloxylon salicornicum stem and leaves. The

analysis showed that Haloxylon salicornicum stem and leaves contain (21.23 %, 29.90 %

respectively) moisture contents. The highest proximate bio-component was ash contents. The

biochemical analysis shows that stem contains 51.2 % and leaves 50.80 % of total ash contents. The

value of the crude lipid in the stem was 0.5 % while in leaves was1.35 %. Similarly, the value crude

fiber obtained in stem was 5.06 % and in leaves was 15.44%. The total nitrogen content obtained in

the stem and leaves of Haloxylon salicornicum were 1.78% and 1.25 % respectively. The value of

11.125 % and 7.812 % for crude protein was calculated in stem and leaves respectively. In the

present investigation the starch contents in stem was found to be only 0.049 % but leaves contain

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


3.12% of starch. The total carbohydrate contents obtained from H. salicornicum leaves were 25 %

while in stem was 4.5 % only.

Table 2: Chemical analysis of Haloxylon salicornicum

Serial No. Parameter Haloxylon salicornicum (mean DM* %)

N=125

Stem Leaves

1 Moisture contents 21.23±0.4 29.90±0.4

2 Ash contents 51.20±0.4 50.85±0.5

3 Crude fiber 5.06±0.1 15.44±0.2

4 Crude lipid 0.50±0.09 1.355±0.1

5 Crude Protein 11.12±0.1 7.812±0.1

6 Nitrogen value 1.78±0.1 1.25±0.1

7 Starch value 0.049±0.05 0.132±0.05

8 Carbohydrates Total 4.50±0.1 25.0±0.4

9 Reducing sugars 0.76±0.09 0.5±0.09

10 Non reducing sugars 3.74 ±0.1 24.5±0.3

11 Calorific values (kcal/100g) 349.14±6.40 289.3±4.80

* The data are mean values ± deviation (SD) of three replicates Thangadari et al. (2001).

DM* Dry Matter

The present study also revealed the data of 10 essential elements (Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, S, Pb,

Co, Ni and Cr) investigated in the stem and leaves of Haloxylon salicornicum, naturally grown in the

Cholistan Desert, Pakistan (Table 3).

Table 3: Mineral analysis of Haloxylon salicornicum

Serial No. Parameter Haloxylon salicornicum (DM* %)

Stem Leaves

1 Sodium 1.20±0.1 3.91±0.1

2 Potassium 2.90±0.1 4.80±0.1

3 Calcium 4.1±0.1 3.00±0.1

4 Magnesium 48.50±0.3 39.00±0.3

5 Lead 0.14±0.05 0.25±0.07

6 Cobalt 0.10±0.06 0.10±0.05

7 Chromium 3.00±0.1 3.00±0.1

8 Nickel 0.07±0.06 0.002±0.005

9 Sulpher 82.10±0.4 10.40±0.2

10 Phosphorous 22.50±0.4 2.00±0.1


DM* Dry Matter

The present studies showed the overall concentration of the sodium (1.2 %) in stem is

lower than leaves (3.91 %). The leaves of H. salicornicum are rich for the potassium (4.8 %) than 2.9

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


% in the stem. The overall concentration of the calcium in stem was (4.1 %) which is higher than

leaves (3 %). The study showed that stem parts of Haloxylon salicornicum have higher concentration

of phosphorous 22.50% then in leaves 2.0%. Similarly, the stem of the plant has higher concentration

(48 %) of magnesium whereas in leaves contain (39 %). The overall concentration of the sulphur in

stem is (82.10 %) which is higher than leaves (10.40 %). The results showed that the minerals lead,

chromium, nickel, and cobalt are found at the trace amount in both studied parts of the plant except

chromium which has higher amount (3.0%) then others (Table 3).

The iodine value for stem and leaves of H. salicornicum is 9.04 % and 4.09 % respectively

(Table 4). Similarly, the acid value in the stem and leaves of H. salicornicum was found to be 12.15

% and 0.253 % respectively (Table 4). The higher saponification values were obtained from stem

(16.83% then in leaves (9.048%) (Table 4).

Table 4: Crude Lipids Indices of Haloxylon salicornicum

Serial No. Parameter Haloxylon salicornicum (DM* %)

Stem Leaves

1 Iodine value 9.04±0.1 4.096±0.1

2 Acid value 12.15±0.2 0.253±0.05

3 Saponification Value 16.83±0.3 9.048±0.3


The phytochemical analysis of the plant stem and leaves showed the presence of major

metabolites of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides and cardiac glycosides (Table 5). The number

of positive signs indicates the intensity of the reactions that reflects the quantity of phytogroup

present in the extract.

Table 5: Phytochemical analysis of Haloxylon salicornicum

Serial No. Parameter Haloxylon salicornicum

Stem Leaves

1 Alkaloids + + + + + + + +

2 Flavonoids - -

3 Saponins + +++ + + + +

4 Tanins + + + + + +

5 Glycosides&Cardiac

Glycosides

+ + + +

+ + + +

6 Anthraquionone&

Bound anthraquinone

-

-

+, Positive test −, negative test ++++, quantitative presence

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4. Discussion

According to the results presented in the present study, significant differences among accessions for

nutritive and minerals indices were evident. However, not all the parameters studied appeared to be

equally useful for screening of the accessions of the plant for sensitivity to nutritive values. The

proximate analysis includes the analysis of ash contents, moisture, carbohydrates, starch, crude lipids,

crude proteins, and crude fiber (Table 2). Total moisture contents of the plants helps in determining

the actual weight of plant body. The amount of the moisture in the plants usually affected by the

habitats includes the climatic conditions, plant texture and soil types of that area (Stewart 1989).

Haloxylon salicornicum stem and leaves contain (21.23 %, 29.90 % respectively) moisture contents

which is within the range of other plants from Cholistan desert reported i.e., 87.90 % in Suaeda

fruticosa (Rashid et al. 2001); 67.02 % in Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Karamat et al. 2002) and 8.9 %

in Panicum antidotale (Glu-e-Rana et al. 1990) respectively. The highest proximate bio-component

was ash contents. The high values of ash contents (51.2 % in stem and 50.80 % in leaves) may

attribute to the saline nature of soil where the plant grows. This may causes accumulation of minerals

in this halophytic specie. This indicates that Haloxylon salicornicum contains higher amounts of

mineral elements and can be used as a minerals rich feeding source for browsing animals. The crude

lipid values (stem, 0.5 % and leaves, 1.35 %) are in the range reported by Shad et al. (2002) and

Karamat et al. (2002), which confirmed that the plant rich in lipid contents and can be used as a good

source of the lipids. The crude fiber values obtained (Stem, 5.06 % and leaves, 15.44%) are in

agreement with the results reported previously (Rashid et al. 1999, Karamat et al. 2002). These

results show that leaves are good source of the crude fibers than the stem parts. However both in

combination can enhance the forage quality and other nutritional parameters of the plant for

livestocks. The total nitrogen content obtained in the stem and leaves of Haloxylon salicornicum were

1.78% and 1.25 % respectively showing a good nitrogenous feeding source. Crude protein values

(Stem, 11.125 % and leaves, 7.812 %) is obtained by multiplying the nitrogen content with 6.25

factor. These values are higher than 0.01% obtained previously in Fagonia arabica (Qiaser et al.

1997), 5.20 % in Cymbopogon Jwarancusa (Karamat et al. 2002), 3.26 % in Panicum antidotale

(Gul-e-Rana et al.1990) but is in agreement with (Rashid et al. 1999) 7% value obtained in the of

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


leaves Glinus lotoide, hence it can be predicted that Haloxylon salicornicum is a good source of

nitrogen and plant protein on its own. In the present investigation the starch contents in stem were

found to be only 0.049 % predicting that stem of H. salicornicum is not a good source of this

component but leaves contain 3.12 %, which can be used as a rich source of starch in animal forages.

The total carbohydrate contents obtained from H. salicornicum (stem, 4.5 % and leaves, 25 %) are

higher than the value of 0.71% in Fagonia arabica (Qiaser et al. 1997), 0.66 % in Suaeda fruticosa

and 2.4 % Glinus lotoide (Rashid et al. 1999) suggesting that the stem and leaves of H. salicornicum

are good sources for carbohydrates on their own compared to other food sources. The calorific value

of H. salicornicum was estimated to be 349.14 kcal/100 g (DW) for stem and 289.3 kcal/100 g (DW)

for leaves, which is an indication that it could be an important source of dietary calorie. High calorific

content of the stem could be attributed to high carbohydrates and protein contents. These

investigations indicate that Haloxylon salicornicum possesses rich amount of valuable feeding

components as compared to the other plants analyzed from Cholistan desert and can effectively be

used as a good feeding source.

Minerals are essential for plants. A number of valuable mineral elements have been

identified in the different plants species of Cholistan Desert (Iqbal et al. 1981, Gul-e-Rana et al.

1990, Qaiser et al. 1997, Rashid et al. 2001, Arshad et al. 2002). In the present investigation, ten

different minerals such as Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, S, Pb, Co, Ni and Cr were analysed in the stem and

leaves of Haloxylon salicornicum collected from Cholistan Desert. The present study revealed the

higher levels of sodium in Haloxylon salicornicum; however the amount of sodium in stem is within

the range for the plants reported earlier (Qaiser et al. 1997, Rashid et al. 1999, 2001, Hussian 2002,

Saadat 2006). The level of the potassium in the leaves and stem are within the range of the standard

values (0.5 % - 5 %) of potassium in the plants reported earlier (Hoffmann & Der 2003). The

potassium value in stem is in close agreement with results (2.6 %) obtained in Fagonia arabica

(Qaiser et al.1997) and 2.7 % in Euphorbia prostrata (Karamat et al. 2001). The levels of potassium

in the leaves are below than 5 % in Salsola baryosma leaves (Ahmed et al. 2006). Hence this plant

can be a good source of the potassium for nutritional supplements for livestock. Calcium is the

secondary macronutrient and an important constituent of the cell walls. In human beings it plays a

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


vital role in neuromuscular function, many enzyme-mediated processes and blood clotting, as well as

providing rigidity to the skeleton (Brown & Hebert 1997). The overall concentration of the calcium

(4.1 %) in stem is higher than leaves (3 %) and the standard concentration values of calcium in plants

(0.3 % to 2.5 %) (Hoffmann & Der 2003). These values for calcium in stem and leaves were within

the range reported for other plants by Qaiser et al. (1997) and Rashid et al. (1999). The present study

showed that stem of H. salicornicum contain good amount of calcium in it and could be a good

source for minerals used in bone formation. The study showed that stem parts of Haloxylon

salicornicum have higher concentration of phosphorous than standard concentrations reported for the

plants i.e., 0.05 % - 0.3 % (Hoffmann & Der 2003). Therefore extracts of these plants can be used in

the synthesis of phosphrous containing drugs. Similarly, Magnesium found in the plant body with

distinctive functions. It activates much wider range of enzymatic systems besides calcium and its low

levels in the herbage induce disorders in livestock (Stewart 1989). The proximate analysis of

Haloxylon salicornicum showed that stem part of this plant have 48 % and leave 39 % magnesium.

The result revealed that plant stem and leaves both could be used effectively in magnesium deficient

diets and forages as a good source of magnesium. Sulphur (secondary macronutrients) accumulates in

the plants as sulphate (Rennenberg 1984) and available as an elemental component with nitrogen,

lipids and proteins from plants body (Hoffmann & Der 2003). Table 3 shows that Haloxylon

salicornicum plant stem and leaves are rich in sulphur contents. These concentration also higher even

than the standard concentration ranges of sulphur reported in plants i.e., 0.08% - 0.5 % (Stewart

1989), indicating that this plant contain appreciable amount of sulphur containing components and

can serve as a good source of sulphur for sulphur containing drugs.

Beside the macronutrient there are many other minerals, which constitute the plant body

and are present in the trace amounts. Haloxylon salicornicum stem and the leaves were studied for

lead, chromium, nickel, and cobalt. The results (Table 3) showed that these minerals were found at

the trace amount in both parts except chromium. The higher amount of the chromium was found in

the stem and leaves of H.salicornicum which may attribute to the effect that this element is widely

distributed in trace amounts in soils and vegetation. However its amount in the basic and igneous

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


soils is relatively higher (Hoffmann & Der 2003). Therefore it can cause the greater accumulation of

chromium in H. salicornicum, where it grows.

The iodine value for stem and leaves of H. salicornicum is 9.04 % and 4.09 % respectively

(Table 4). These values are higher than the other non-conventional crude lipids /oils sources such as

Fagonia arabica (0.10 %), Suaeda fruticosa (0.02 %) and Cymbopogon jwarancusa (1.6 %) (Qaiser

et al. 1997, Rashid et al. 2001, Karamat et al. 2002). These indices suggest that H. salicornicum has

higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than other wild plants from Cholistan area. Therefore this

plant can be used as a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids. The stem and leaves of H. salicornicum

showed the acid value of 12.15 % and 0.253 % respectively (Table 4). This value is almost in

conformity with the specifications of edible oils (1 -7% of oleic acid ), and is in agreement with

earlier results (Karamat et al. 2002, Qaiser et al. 1997, Rashid et al. 1999, 2001). The low acidity

value was obtained in the leaves, which is an indication of a stable lipid at the room temperature

(Codex Alimentairus 1993) thus enhancing the value of leaves as a best feeding source.

Saponification gives the indication of the short and long chain free fatty acids present in the oil

(Howard et al. 1982).The higher saponification values obtained in both i.e. stem and leave. However

stem of the plant have much higher saponification value than the leaves (Table 4), shows that stem

contains long chain free fatty acids than the leaves. The presence of these carboxylic acids indicated

that the plant could show the antimicrobial activity which needs to study further. The overall results

for lipids characterization indicate that the crude lipid obtained from the stem and leaves of H.

salicornicum can be utilize in food chemistry by enhancing its medicinal and nutritive value.

The phytochemical analysis of the plant revealed (Table 5) the presence of major

metabolites of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides and cardiac glycosides. The number of

positive signs indicates the intensity of the reactions that reflects the quantity of phytogroup present

in the extract. Anthraquinones, bound anthraquionone and flavonoids were absent. Earlier reported

work (Varro et al. 1998, Obadoni & Ochuko 2001, Edeoga et al. 2005, Mallikharjuna et al. 2007,

Ayoola et al. 2008, Akharaiyi & Bolatito, 2010, Abdulgafar et al. 2011, Vaghasiya et al. 2011)

revealed the physiological and medicinal importance of saponins, alkaloids, glycosides and cardiac

glycosides obtained from the medicinal plants. In comparison to the importance of these reported

Vol 19, No. 10;Oct 2012


results it is suggested that H. salicornicum stem and leaves can be used in respiratory stimulants,

blood vessels contractions, muscles relaxant and as a laxative drugs. Moreover this plant can also be

used in local aesthetic, cardiac specific glycosides and many other analgesics. The further studies on

the phytochemical analysis of this plant are in progress in our laboratory to elucidate more divers and

medicinally important phytogroups.

5. Conclusions

The purpose of this study was the assessment of the nutritive and medicinal value of Haloxylon

salicornicum. It has been observed that Halaoxylon salicornicum contained rich amount of the

essential minerals and bio-components. These results could be a starting point for a valuable

knowledge resource, allowing better mineral sources selection and nutritional status of the diet of

local populations and grazing animals of Cholistan Desert. Moreover, preliminary phytochemicals

results dicussed during this study could be a base for the future investigation of medicinal and

clinically valuable components.

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Chemical and mineral constituents of Haloxylon salicornicum from Cholistan Desert,, Pakistan

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