Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit Seeds: A New Potential Source of Sulfhydryl Compounds

Background: Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit seeds are considered the most widely consumed legumes by ruminants. The seeds contain around 1.5 mmol of thiol/sulfhydryl compounds per 100 g of dried seeds. The contents of the sulfhydryl compounds can act like glutathione. On the other hand, the intake of a high amount of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit seeds is limited by mimosine because it can induce toxicity and death in ruminants. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine sulfhydryl compound levels in Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit seeds after the mimosine removal process. Materials and methods: Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit seeds were soaked in aquadest for 24 hours and then dried at 40°C for 86 hours. The dried seeds were macerated at room temperature using 30%, 50%, 70%, and 96% (v/v) of ethanol as the solvent with a 1:10 solvent-to-solid ratio. Levels of dried extract yield were determined for sulfhydryl compounds and mimosine using a spectrophotometer. Results: The 30% ethanol extract without soaking produced the highest levels of extract yield, but 70% ethanol was the most effective solvent for extracting the maximum sulfhydryl and minimum mimosine levels. Conclusion: Ethanol solvent (70%) can be used to extract maximum levels of sulfhydryl compound and minimum levels of mimosine from Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit soaked seeds.