A study was conducted to reduce the mimosine content of Leucaena leucocephala leaves by using ethyl
methanesulphonate (EMS). The seeds were treated with three different doses of EMS (i.e., 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.6%)
aiming at reducing the mimosine content and improving the nutritive value of L. leucocephala. The mimosine
content, crude protein and crude fiber were decreased with the increasing of EMS doses. The effect of 0.6% EMS
treatment was much more beneficial as compared to 0.1% EMS or 0.3% EMS in the reduction of the mimosine
content in L. leucocephala leaves. Mimosine content was successfully reduced from 1.6% to 0.2% or a reduction of
87.5% obtained in 0.6% EMS treated samples. This result has led to the identification of a new L. leucocephala
clone with reduced mimosine content from the 0.6% EMS treated samples. Livestock feed should not contain more
than 30% of L. leucocephala as the mimosine can cause hair loss and stomach problems in animals. This limitation
can be overcome by using this newly identified L. leucocephala clone. The livestock feed now can contain more than
30% of L. leucocephala leaves and still have all the Leucaena benefits. However, treatment with 0.6% EMS
decreased the nutritive values of L. leucocephala leaves, but the crude protein of 0.6% EMS treated samples
(18.69%) was still higher than Medicago sativa (alfalfa) with 14.83% crude protein. With this clone, it assists the
foresters or farmers to reduce the livestock feed price significantly in future.