COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE NUTRITIVE VALUES OF DECORTICATED AND NON-DECORTICATED SANDBOX (Hura crepitans) SEEDS

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare the nutritive values of decorticated and non-decorticated sandbox (Hura crepitans) seeds. The matured and ripe seeds were gathered, sundried and divided into two portions. One portion was decorticated while the other was not decorticated. The two portions were later milled and subjected to proximate analysis, phytochemical analysis and amino acids profile determination. Poultry metabolizable energy values were also estimated from the proximate compositions. Each analysis was carried out in replicates of three and all data collected were subjected to Independent Sample T-test analysis. Results showed that decorticated sandbox seeds were significantly higher (p<0.05) in crude protein, ether extract and metabolizable energy values while the non-decorticated seeds were significantly higher in crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract values. Both seeds have statistically similar ash content. The decorticated seeds have significantly higher (P<0.05) levels of alkaloids and flavonoids while the non-decorticated seeds have significantly higher levels of oxalates and tannins. Both seeds were not significantly different in their contents of saponin, cyanide and phytate. The ten essential amino acids are present in the two forms of the seeds and the decorticated seeds have significantly higher values of these amino acids than the non-decorticated seeds. It is concluded that decorticated sandbox (Hura crepitans) seeds have better nutritional value than non-decorticated sandbox (Hura crepitans) seeds