Changes in mimosine, phenol, protein and fibre content of Leucaena leucocephala leaf during growth and development

Abstract

In actively growing stems of Leucaena hucocephala, new leaves were tagged weekly. All leaves were harvested after 10 weeks and analysed for mimosine, tannin, flavonol glycosides, protein and neutral detergent fibre. Mimosine was highest in the young leaf at 45 g/kg dry weight and declined to 2 g/kg in 10-week-old leaf. Protein also decreased from about 31 to 14g/100 g during development but there were no substantial changes in fibre, tannin or phenolic concentrations.