Characterization of chitin with different aging of Leucaena leucocephala pods

This study was done to characterize chitin with different aging of Leucaena leucocephala pod by using elemental analyser. The sample collected was dried under sunlight before it been grinded. Then, the sample was analysed using elemental analyser. The size of the Leucaena pod was in range 4.5-23.5 cm length and 0.3-2.3 cm wide. The age of the sample also was recorded based on observation of the samples tree and the seed size. Result shows the smallest amount of nitrogen content in the sample was sample Leucaena 5 with 3.20% and the largest amount was sample Leucaena 2 which is 4.67%. After calculation using the formulas, the percentage of protein content and the degree acetylation (DA) was recorded. Sample 5 with smallest nitrogen content became the largest amount of protein and DA value compared to others and sample Leucaena 2 became the smallest. The result of this study shows that the chitin in Leucaena leucocephala can be characterize but to get the value as pure as the chitin which is 6.89% nitrogen content and 100% DA need further deproteinization or extraction of the Leucaena leucocephala.