Nutritional quality of sandbox tree (Hura crepitans Linn.)

Antinutrient, proximate, mineral, fatty acid, vitamin, and amino acid analyses of sandbox tree (Hura crepitans) seeds were carried out. The results of antinutrient analysis showed that H. crepitans seed contains alkaloid (5.0 +/- 0.2 mg/100 g), tannins (5.0 +/- 0.3 mg/100 g), phytate (53.0 +/- 6.0 mg/100 g), cardiac glycoside (1890.0 +/- 1.5 mg/100 g), and saponin (2.2 +/- 0.1 mg/100 g). Its trypsin inhibitor activity was found to be 30.27 +/- 1.86 TIU/mg of protein. The results of proximate analysis showed that H. crepitans seed is very rich in crude protein (25.16 +/- 0.22%), crude oil (51.43 +/- 0.22%), and energy content (2,621.891 +/- 6.357 kJ/100 g). H. crepitans seed also contains 1.85 ppm Na, 3.4 ppm K, 0.088 ppm Ca, and trace amounts of Mg, Fe, and Zn. The results also showed that H. crepitans oil contains 20.12% oleic acid, followed by stearic acid (3.0%), while linoleic acid is present at the lowest level (0.03%) among the other acids. The Hura oil has a high saponification value (127.16 +/- 0.18 mg/g) and low acid value (3.56 +/- 0.16 mg/g). The results also showed that the average molecular weight of glycerides is higher in the oil as reflected by the ester value (123.6 +/- 0.73 mg/g). The iodine value of Hura oil was found to be 65.62 +/- 0.73%. A low peroxide value (6.6 +/- 0.2 mg/g) was observed in Hura oil. The results showed that H. crepitans seed contains 328.1 IU of vitamin A/100 g, 0.398 mg of vitamin E/100 g, and 0.26 mg of vitamin K/100 g. The results also showed that H. crepitans seed is very rich in glutamate (14.41 g/100 g of protein) and deficient in cysteine (0.78 g/100 g of protein). Among the essential amino acids, arginine has the highest value (5.97 g/100 g of protein). This is followed by leucine, at 4.16 g/100 g of protein. Therefore, H. crepitans seed is a nutritionally promising seed.