EVALUATION OF THE PYTOCHEMICAL AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF Hura crepitan SEEDS
E. J. ABAI
Department of Science Technology, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
I. R. EKANEM *
Department of Science Technology, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Phytochemicals, elemental composition, Hura crepitan, medicinal properties.