EVALUATION OF THE PYTOCHEMICAL AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF Hura crepitan SEEDS

The present study was designed to determine the phytochemical and elemental composition of Hura crepitan seed grown in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeia. Standard methods of analysis were used. The result revealed that the concentrations of the phytochemicals were as follows: alkaloids (6.32± 0.41 mg/100g). saponins (9.07± 0.03 mg/100g), flavonoids (3.79± 0.03 mg/100g), tannins (23.11± 0.24mg/100) and cyanogenic glycoside (1.9 ± 0.01mg/100g). The results of the elemental composition revealed the following: Iron (0.10± 0.00mg/100g), potassium (12.45 ±0.00mg/100g), magnesium (5.73 ± 0.03 mg/100g), zinc (4.20 ± 0.00 mg/100g ) , calcium (9.07 ± 0.74 mg/100g), sodium (2.12 ± 0.04mg/100g) and phosphorus (3.29 ± 0.06mg/100g). The study showed that the plant contain very high amount of tannins. This may be responsible for its medicinal properties. The result of the elemental composition indicates that Hura crepitan seed could serve as a source of nutrients for human consumption.