Nutritional Characterisation of Leucaena leucocephala Leaves: Insights for Sustainable Ruminant Production

Abstract

Leucaena leucocephala, a drought-resistant leguminous tree, is widely utilized in animal feed due to its high nutritional value. This study evaluates the chemical composition, mineral content, and amino acid profile of Leucaena leucocephala leaves to assess their potential as an alternative protein source for ruminants. The leaves were collected, dried, and ground for proximate analysis, amino acid determination, and mineral estimation. The results revealed that Leucaena leaves have a high crude protein content (23.17% DM), moderate crude fibre (13.67%), and a significant concentration of minerals, particularly calcium (2.19%) and potassium (1.45%). Trace minerals such as iron (337.91 ppm) and boron (64.63 ppm) were also present in notable quantities. Amino acid analysis showed a balanced profile with essential amino acids like lysine, histidine, and methionine, though cysteine and methionine were identified as limiting amino acids. The findings support the potential use of Leucaena leucocephala as a valuable and sustainable protein source in livestock feeding, though attention should be given to the presence of mimosine, a toxic compound. This research highlights the importance of exploring unconventional and local feed resources to reduce feed costs and improve livestock productivity.