Nutritional quality of the “Algarrobo” neltuma pallida fruit and its relationship with soil properties and vegetation indices in the dry forests of Northern Peru

Abstract

The dry forests of northern Peru are home to extensive populations of algarrobo (Neltuma spp.). Its fruit serves as feed for goats and is used in various agro-industrial products. However, the nutritional quality can be influenced by the physicochemical properties of the soil and vegetation coverage. The objective of this study was to understand and predict the concentration of protein and ether extracts of carob and evaluate its relationship with soil properties and vegetation indices. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analyses were conducted. The prediction of protein and ether extract was carried out using the Eureqa-Formulize software 1.24.0. In the PCA, protein showed a positive relationship with ash and ether extract but a negative relationship with moisture. Likewise, moderate correlations were observed between protein and ash content (0.51). Protein also showed positive correlations with pH (r = 0.19), BI (r = 0.22), and NDSI (r = 0.22). Additionally, the ether extract exhibited correlations with sand content (r = 0.22), Ca2+ (r = −0.26), Cu (r = −0.20), S5 (r = 0.26), and Si (r = 0.24). Protein predictions showed moderate performance (CC = 0.73 and R2 = 0.53), as did ether extracts (CC = 0.68 and R2 = 0.46). These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors that influence the nutritional quality of carob and can be used for the development of sustainable management strategies in the dry forests of northern Peru.