Comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in China
IntroductionAlfalfa is used as a feed source for animals and plays an important role in animal nutrition. Nutritional value analysis and contamination evaluation are essential for sustainable utilisation to ensure the quality and safety of alfalfa.AimWe aimed to evaluate the nutritional value and sa...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1539462/full |
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| author | Xiaoyan Zhu Xiaoyan Zhu Xiaoyan Zhu Wenxue Chen Mengyao Li Boshuai Liu Boshuai Liu Boshuai Liu Shumin Zhao Menglin Hu Jiajing Li Defeng Li Defeng Li Defeng Li Yinghua Shi Yinghua Shi Yinghua Shi Hao Sun Hao Sun Hao Sun Chengzhang Wang Chengzhang Wang Chengzhang Wang |
| author_facet | Xiaoyan Zhu Xiaoyan Zhu Xiaoyan Zhu Wenxue Chen Mengyao Li Boshuai Liu Boshuai Liu Boshuai Liu Shumin Zhao Menglin Hu Jiajing Li Defeng Li Defeng Li Defeng Li Yinghua Shi Yinghua Shi Yinghua Shi Hao Sun Hao Sun Hao Sun Chengzhang Wang Chengzhang Wang Chengzhang Wang |
| author_sort | Xiaoyan Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAlfalfa is used as a feed source for animals and plays an important role in animal nutrition. Nutritional value analysis and contamination evaluation are essential for sustainable utilisation to ensure the quality and safety of alfalfa.AimWe aimed to evaluate the nutritional value and safety of alfalfa in five major regions in China—the Northeast Plain (NP), Inner Mongolia Plateau (IMP), Northwest Desert Oasis (NO), Loess Plateau (LP), and Huanghuaihai Plain (HP).MethodsNinety-five samples representing 44 large-scale pratacultural companies were collected and analysed.ResultsThe average nutritional values of alfalfa hay were 16.43% crude protein (CP), 44.01% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), 33.22% acid detergent fibre (ADF), 10.78% crude ash (Ash), and 91.90% dry matter (DM), which were better in the NO and IMP areas; in particular, the α-linolenic acid value of alfalfa was the highest in the IMP area (p < 0.05). The detection rates of mycotoxins, microorganisms, and heavy metals were 100%. The over-standard rates of total bacteria count and total mould count were 66.7% and 75.8%, respectively, while the over-standard rate of chromium in heavy metals was as high as 87.9%.DiscussionThis study establishes the nutrient composition and harmful component profiles of alfalfa hay in five major planting areas for the first time, which provides a valuable reference for the safe and sustainable utilisation of alfalfa in livestock feed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-34d17e2065734920966dfe93d4fd1268 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-34d17e2065734920966dfe93d4fd12682025-02-10T05:16:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-02-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15394621539462Comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in ChinaXiaoyan Zhu0Xiaoyan Zhu1Xiaoyan Zhu2Wenxue Chen3Mengyao Li4Boshuai Liu5Boshuai Liu6Boshuai Liu7Shumin Zhao8Menglin Hu9Jiajing Li10Defeng Li11Defeng Li12Defeng Li13Yinghua Shi14Yinghua Shi15Yinghua Shi16Hao Sun17Hao Sun18Hao Sun19Chengzhang Wang20Chengzhang Wang21Chengzhang Wang22Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Herbage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Herbage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Herbage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Herbage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Herbage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Herbage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou, ChinaIntroductionAlfalfa is used as a feed source for animals and plays an important role in animal nutrition. Nutritional value analysis and contamination evaluation are essential for sustainable utilisation to ensure the quality and safety of alfalfa.AimWe aimed to evaluate the nutritional value and safety of alfalfa in five major regions in China—the Northeast Plain (NP), Inner Mongolia Plateau (IMP), Northwest Desert Oasis (NO), Loess Plateau (LP), and Huanghuaihai Plain (HP).MethodsNinety-five samples representing 44 large-scale pratacultural companies were collected and analysed.ResultsThe average nutritional values of alfalfa hay were 16.43% crude protein (CP), 44.01% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), 33.22% acid detergent fibre (ADF), 10.78% crude ash (Ash), and 91.90% dry matter (DM), which were better in the NO and IMP areas; in particular, the α-linolenic acid value of alfalfa was the highest in the IMP area (p < 0.05). The detection rates of mycotoxins, microorganisms, and heavy metals were 100%. The over-standard rates of total bacteria count and total mould count were 66.7% and 75.8%, respectively, while the over-standard rate of chromium in heavy metals was as high as 87.9%.DiscussionThis study establishes the nutrient composition and harmful component profiles of alfalfa hay in five major planting areas for the first time, which provides a valuable reference for the safe and sustainable utilisation of alfalfa in livestock feed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1539462/fullalfalfamycotoxinmicroorganismheavy metalfood safety evaluationNemerow contamination index method |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoyan Zhu Xiaoyan Zhu Xiaoyan Zhu Wenxue Chen Mengyao Li Boshuai Liu Boshuai Liu Boshuai Liu Shumin Zhao Menglin Hu Jiajing Li Defeng Li Defeng Li Defeng Li Yinghua Shi Yinghua Shi Yinghua Shi Hao Sun Hao Sun Hao Sun Chengzhang Wang Chengzhang Wang Chengzhang Wang Comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in China Frontiers in Nutrition alfalfa mycotoxin microorganism heavy metal food safety evaluation Nemerow contamination index method |
| title | Comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in China |
| title_full | Comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in China |
| title_fullStr | Comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in China |
| title_short | Comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in China |
| title_sort | comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value and contaminants of alfalfa medicago sativa l in china |
| topic | alfalfa mycotoxin microorganism heavy metal food safety evaluation Nemerow contamination index method |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1539462/full |
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