Simple procedures to remove mimosine from young leaves, pods and seeds of Leucaena leucocephala used as food

Abstract The effect of boiling and soaking in water on the mimosine and protein contents of young leaves, pods and seeds of the tropical leguminous tree Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) was investigated. It was observed that the soluble protein content in leucaena tissue was overestimated because of the presence of mimosine. A more accurate method of determining the soluble protein content in leucaena tissue containing mimosine was developed and used in this study. It was found that boiling removed mimosine from young leaves, pods and seeds of leucaena but it also reduced the amount of soluble protein significantly. Soaking in water for 24 h eliminated 97% of mimosine from young leaves, pods and split seeds of leucaena, and up to 20% of mimosine from the whole young seeds without significantly reducing the soluble protein content.