Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and other temperate forage legumes

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Canada and the United Kingdom as lead countries, deals with the composition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and other temperate forage legumes which are important in animal feeds. It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of feeds (and foods) derived from new varieties. Background is given on alfalfa (lucerne) production, processing and characteristics screened by breeders. Then alfalfa nutrients, anti-nutrients and secondary metabolites are detailed, followed by key products and compositional parameters suggested for analysis of new varieties for feed use and for food use. It also provides information on other forage legumes (clovers, trefoil, sainfoin, vetch, other species) and their key components.