Proximate and Antinutrient Composition of Hura crepitans (Sandbox Tree) Seeds

Analysis of proximate and antinutrient composition of Hura crepitans (Sandbox tree) seeds obtained from campus of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene were carried out using standard analytical procedures. The result of the proximate composition analysis showed that H. crepitans seeds contain moisture content (13.875 ± 0.176%), crude fat (36.750±1.060%), crude fibre (0.5±0.000%), crude protein (36.625±0.884%), ash content (0.25±0.000%) and carbohydrate (25.875±0.200%). The result of the antinutrient analysis showed that H. crepitans seeds contain phytic acid (phytate) (0.615±0.002mg/100g), hydrogen cyanide (3.289±0.003mg/100g), oxalate (1.386±0.001mg/100g) and tannins (8.130±0.003mg/100g). Tannins had the highest concentration while phytate had the lowest concentration of all the antinutrients analyzed. The antinutrients can be removed during processing. The result of the proximate composition reveals high crude fat and protein contents of the seed of H. crepitans, showing that the seed is nutritional. Findings from this study therefore suggest intensified research on the seeds of H. crepitans so as to harness its potentials in the production of animal feed.