###### Abstract  
In the present study, the nutritive composition and mineral content of the leaves of eight species of _Acacia_ trees were evaluated to assess their potential for different purposes, such as food resources for ruminants and mineral sources in soils. Caco-2 cells were employed to assess cytotoxicity, revealing that the extracts exhibited no cytotoxic effects after cellular incubation, suggesting their suitability as an alternative animal feed. The leaves proved to be a promising source of protein and fiber, offering an alternative to meet the needs of ruminants. The protein content differed among species, ranging from 18.96% in _A. cyclos_ to 14.04% in _A. melanogaster_. Similarly, fiber content varied from 35.52% in _A. melanogaster_ to 16.43% in _A. cyclos_. The species displayed moderate to high levels of minerals, particularly concentrations of Ca, P, and K. These values varied among species, ranging from 8452.90 to 28,465.31 mg/kg DM for Ca, 309.61 to 1293.82 mg/kg DM for P, and 5557.24 to 11,475.85 mg/kg DM for K, respectively. Each species displayed a distinct profile regarding the analyzed parameters, suggesting varied potential for their respective use. Additionally, vibrational spectroscopy analysis proved to be a highly valuable and dependable method for distinguishing between species. Acacia species; leaf; cytotoxicity; nutritive values; mineral content +
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that different fractions of acacia accumulate beneficial compounds, particularly in their bark, flowers, wood, leaves, pods and seeds [1; 2; 5; 6; 7; 8]. These plant components are rich sources of phytochemical compounds, notably polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and others [1; 2; 5; 6; 9]. Leaves represent a readily accessible component of _Acacia_ spp. and are crucial in releasing allebotathic compounds that significantly contribute to their success as invasive species [1]. These volatile or non-volatile compounds are released through leaching, and ongoing research focused on their identification and confirmation of allebotathic effects has unveiled intriguing potential applications, ranging from bioherbi-cides to pharmaceutical formulations [1]. Extensive research has explored the extraction of various bioactive compounds from _Acacia_ spp. leaves, employing polar or non-polar solvents to recover various hydrophilic and lipophilic components. Remarkably, these studies have demonstrated a spectrum of biological activities, such as potential biospecidal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities across several _Acacia_ species, including _A. dealbata_[10], _A. longifolia_[11], and _A. saligna_[12; 13; 14]; anthelmintic properties have been demonstrated for _A. melanogaster_, _A. karoo_[15], and _A. meamsii_[16]. The increasing demand for and associated high cost of conventional animal feed have highlighted the necessity for sustainable alternatives. The use of _Acacia_ species as fodder for ruminants has gained importance in numerous tropical regions due to their ability to provide a valuable source of food for livestock in difficult environmental conditions [17; 18]. _Acacia_ species, with their adaptability to poor soils and periods of drought, become an attractive alternative in areas where other sources of fodder may be scarce or of poor quality. In addition, acacia have been recognized for their high content of protein and other essential nutrients, contributing to the health and performance of ruminants [19; 20; 21]. The leaves of _Acacia_ spp., comprising 40% dry matter, 4% minerals, 15% protein, 50% neutral detergent fiber, and 39% acid detergent fiber [22], exhibit potential as forage. Studies evaluating the nutritive and mineral potential of various _Acacia_ species [19; 20; 23; 24] have demonstrated that acacia utilization in livestock production presents itself as a valuable feed resource during feed gaps and drought seasons.