Mimosine content in various fractions of Leucaena leucocephala grown in western Nigeria

Abstract

The mimosine content of the dry matter of edible parts of Leucaena leucocephala in western Nigeria ranges from 12.3% in the yellow cotyledon to 0.5% in the empty green pod. Mature seeds are twice as rich in mimosine as young seeds, 6.15 and 3.20%, respectively, but the reverse is true of the leaves, 2.57 vs. 5.10%. Young and mature leaflets are richer in mimosine than the corresponding petioles, rachis and rachillae or entire leaves. The green and brown seedcoats and empty brown pods contain no mimosine.