## 3 Results and Discussion
### Mineral Analysis
AC showed the highest NT, K, and Ca concentrations, while P and Mg had lower values than in other samples. Observing Table 4, significant differences (\(p<0.05\)) among the species can be noted, except for Cr. AMs showed notably high Fe and Cr concentrations. Iron levels were lower than those found in other studies on acacia leaves. Mn concentration varied widely, ranging from 10.16 mg/kg in AL to 284.64 mg/kg in AD, consistent with data recorded by [PERSON] et al. [20] in _A. reficiencs_ (111.00 mg/kg) and _A. senegal_ (141.00 mg/kg). In our study, Cu levels were higher than those reported for AMs leaves but lower than those obtained by other researchers. Zn concentration was significantly higher for AS and AC than for other species. Regarding Cd values, the AMs, AP, and AL species presented the lowest concentrations; there are no previous studies on this mineral. As a final remark, and considering the results obtained and previously discussed regarding mineral composition, the leaves of acacia contain notable concentrations of essential minerals that are highly beneficial for plant growth. When these leaves are incorporated into the soil, they undergo decomposition, releasing vital nutrients that promote nutrient cycling and enhance soil fertility. This process offers a significant environmental advantage by reducing the dependency on chemical fertilizers, as the nutrients absorbed by the plants are returned to the soil for uptake in subsequent cultivation cycles [42]. Additionally, when acacia leaves are spread across the soil surface, they decompose gradually, providing a slow and sustained release of minerals and nutrients. Simultaneously, they act as a natural muld, forming a protective layer that reduces water evaporation, contributing to better soil moisture retention and aiding in soil conservation. Another key benefit is the potential for incorporating acacia leaves into compost. When added to compost piles, the leaves support the formation of humus, enriching the organic matter content. The resulting compost can then be applied to the soil, not only supplying essential nutrients but also improving soil structure and stability through enhanced organic matter content [43]. This creates a more sustainable method of soil enhancement, as the slow release of nutrients and increased humus content improve soil properties over the long term, fostering healthier and more productive agricultural ecosystems. For better understanding and ease of interpretation of the results, we created a heat map with the nutritional results and a specific examination of the results relating to the content of mineral elements obtained for different species. A heat map is a graphical representation of data, where values within a matrix are depicted using distinct colors [39]. Green colors represent a positive correlation between nutritional levels and species, while yellow colors represent a negative correlation. The heat map (Figure 3) was generated using each species' nutritional and mineral content. The heat maps grouped acacia leaf species into different groups according to their nutritional composition. Regarding the results obtained, it was possible to verify that Fib, ADF, ADL, Cel, and NDF are the most abundant in AMy, followed by AL, although there are some differences between them. These species present the highest quantities for these analyses, as previously confirmed. The remaining species present a modest negative correlation for these analyses. AC stands out with abundant nutritional parameters, namely H, NT, protein, Hem, and ash, while all others show a weak negative correlation with all species. NFC demonstrates a weak negative correlation with all species except AP and AR. On the other hand, AL demonstrates the highest weak positive correlation compared to the other species. NT, protein, Hem, and fat are the only study parameters that show a weak positive result for the AD species; all other investigated compounds demonstrate a weak negative connection.