The phytochemical screening, proximate composition, mineral elements and quantitative
assay of anti-nutrients of the seeds of Cassia hirsute have been evaluated. The brown seedshave pungent smell and are bitter and unpleasant to taste. The phytochemical screeningindicated the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, sterols, triterpenes,glycosides and carbohydrates; phlobatannins and flavonoids were absent. The proximatecomposition of the seeds was 8.7% moisture, 7.7% ash, 7.0% fat, 10.5% protein, 13.2% fibre and 52.9% carbohydrate with estimated caloric value of 316.20 kCal/100g sample. The mineral elements determined in the seeds include K, Ca, Na, Fe, Mg and P, heavy metals such as Pb, Cr and Cu were not present. The antinutrient assay revealed that the total tannins, oxalate and phytic acid contents were high but hydrocyanic acid was not detected. The high values of these toxic materials suggest that the seeds are not suitable for
consumption as food, but the solvent extract may be suitable as fumigant to dispel insects,
rodents and snakes.