Abstract
•A characterization and valorization of Leuceana leucocephala seed oil were studied.•The most prominent fatty acids were linoleic, oleic and palmitic acid.•The oil is high in vitamin E.•The oil showed high thermal stability (up to 255.47°C).•L. leucocephala can be used as cosmetic or pharmaceutical ingredient.
Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (coffee bush) is a strictly tropical species that requires warm temperatures for optimal growth. It is drought-tolerant (even during establishment) and can withstand up to 7 months of dry season. L. leucocephala oil extracted from seeds was analyzed to determine it possible uses. The oil content of the seeds was 5.44% and mainly consisted of linoleic acid (51.65%), oleic acid (21.40%), palmitic acid (13.21%) and stearic acid (5.92%). This oil has high vitamin E activity because of its concentration of α-tocopherol (175.47mg/100g). The weak acid and peroxide values (0.6% and 3.56mequiv.·O2/kg oil, respectively) were indicators of the good quality of the oil. L. leucocephala showed high thermal stability (up to 255.47°C) and some absorbance in the UV-B and UV-C ranges. The results showed that this new seed oil can be used as an ingredient in cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations.