The usefulness of Prosopis chilensis may be limited by its relatively high content of phenolic compounds and other toxic components. Mice fed on mesquite leaf meal as the sole source of protein could not survive (Lyon et al., 1988). Fresh leaves and flat-green immature pods of Prosopis chilensis can be toxic to goats and sheep. A daily intake of 10 g/kg body weight will cause death to sheep and goats within a period of 4-5 weeks for leaves and 5-8 weeks for the flat green immature pods. Generally the symptoms included inappetence, weight loss, weakness, loss of fitness, visible pallor, mucuous membrane, loss of eye reflex, alopecia, lack of coordination, foul watery diarrhea, severe dehydration and recumbency followed by death. The symptoms are identical for the pods and the leaves (Ibrahim, unpublished data, cited by Gabar, 1988).
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