Evaluation of nutrient composition and feeding value of halophyte (Suaeda glauca) seeds in the Songnen grassland

The suaeda glauca seeds were collected in Songnen grassland located in Dorbod Mongolian Autonomous County of Heilongjiang province from September to October in 2006.The analysis results of nutrients, mineral contents and amino acid composition showed that the Suaeda glauca seeds contained high percentage of crude fat, ash and sodium and potassium, which was 8.65%, 26.46%, 4.46% and 1.26%, respectively. The sulfuramino acids of suaeda glauca seeds were very abundant and the methionine and cystine contents of suaeda glauca seeds were 0.24% and 0.20%, respectively, and was higher than that of alfalfa meal, meanwhile, the lysine concentration of suaeda glauca seeds was nearly equal to that of alfalfa meal. The digestive energy content of suaeda glauca seeds would be close to the level of Leymus chinensis and alfalfa meal according to prediction from gross energy; and the suaeda glauca seeds was rich in linoleic acid, linolenic acid and linolenic acid, whose content were 63.22%, 6.15% and 1.74, respectively. This study put forward that the suaeda glauca seeds should be utilized as a good feed resource, and had a potential value for producing functional animal food containing healthy fatty acid. This study also pointed out that the supplemental level should be considered for avoid toxicosis of sodium for animal.