Abstract

Nutrient and antinutrient constituents in seeds of Sphenostylis stenocarpa were determined. The proximate composition revealed that S. stenocarpa seed contains 12.44% moisture, 18.55% protein, 2.41% lipid, 2.93% ash, 1.95% fibre, 74.16% carbohydrate and 392.50 kcal caloric value. The antinutrients analysis showed that the seed contains 15.25 mg/100 g hydrocyanide, 144.14 mg/100 g tannins, 1.01 mg/100 g phytate and 61.60 mg/100 g oxalate. It may be concluded that the seeds of S. stenocarpa contribute to nutrient intake by the consuming populations in Nigeria and contain some pharmacological evidence for the treatment of stomach aches and acute drunkenness can serve as an antimalarial, antidiabetic, fertility agent, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and cardioprotective agent.

Key words: Nutrient, antinutrient, Sphenostylis stenocarpa.