Nutrition Analysis on Stems and Leaves of Radix pseudostellariae as Forage

Nutritional composition of the stems and leaves of ginseng,Radix pseudostellariae,was analyzed to determine their potential use for feed.The results showed that the ginseng stems and leaves contained 13.39%crude protein,2.57%fat,8.32%crude fiber,0.95%calcium,and 0.53% phosphorous.The proteins had 10.83%total amino acids,4.40% essential amino acid and 6.43% nonessential amino acid,an E/N ratio of 68.4% and an E/T ratio up to 40.6%,with Met+Cys the greatest limiting essential amino acid but abundant on Phe and Tyr.Quality of the protein was close to the FAO/WHO recommended level.Therefore,the stems and leaves of the ginseng could possibly become a new source of feeding material for domesticated livestock.