Prosopis cineraria (ghaf): a potential desert nutraceutical

Prosopis cineraria (Ghaf) is considered as one of the highly valued trees in many arid and dry areas in the world. Historically, this tree has drag attention for its various uses therefore, in 2008, it was declared the national tree of the UAE not only for its sustainability through low water consumption and its ability to maintain desert ecosystems, but also for its many cultural uses. Ancient literature from Arabian Gulf and Indian desert illustrated the importance of the tree in treated various ailments like asthma, dysentery, leucoderma, leprosy, dyspepsia, earache, etc. The P. cinerariais not well known as a rich and sustainable source of proteinfor many people in the world. It emphasis on its broad food and non-food applications, nutritional values and health benefits. The Ghaf plant is a keystone species having multiple beneficial uses from combating desertification and improving soil fertility in arid environments to being an essential food source, as well as a source of fuel, shelter and medicine for both humans and animal species. The present research work, describescomparison between the nutrient content of ghaf leaves with spinach and lettuce.