Description
TitleA phytochemical exploration of Griffonia simplicifolia seeds and leaves
Date Created2017
Other Date2017-01 (degree)
Extent1 online resource (xxi, 210 p. : ill.)
DescriptionGriffonia simplicifolia is a legume indigenous to western region of Sub-Saharan Africa. While the seeds of this plant are known for being the most abundant natural source of 5-hydroxtryptophan (5-HTP), a widely consumed alternative treatment for conditions involving a serotonin imbalance, many phytochemical characteristics of this species remain unreported. In order to further characterize the phytochemical composition of Griffonia simplicifolia, the 5-HTP, nitrile glycoside, polyphenol, antioxidant, protein, flavonoid, mineral, fatty acids, and tocopherol content of several different populations of griffonia seeds and leaves collected from various regions of Ghana and Liberia were evaluated. For comparison, the 5-HTP content of 18 commercial products on the nutraceutical supplement market was quantified in order to verify the declared amount on their labels match their measured amount. Total polyphenol content of griffonia leaves was 21.16 ± 0.48 GAE/g and antioxidant capacities of leaves and seeds were 12.31 ± 0.45 TEAC/g and 216.50 ± 13.88 TEAC/g, respectively. Protein content of griffonia leaves was 6.89 ± 0.47 BSAE/gram and protein content of seeds was 33.58 ± 1.52 BSAE/gram. Average fatty acid, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol content of seeds were 269.54 ± 2.77 mg/g, 22.62 ± 1.54 µg/g, and 86.58 ± 4.01 µg/g, respectively. Average flavonoid content of griffonia leaves was 9182.02 ± 140.90 µg/g. The average 5-HTP content from all the sampled seed populations was 120.84 ± 9.00 mg/g and total nitrile glycosides averaged 14.25 ± 1.65 mg/g. Griffonia seeds were found to be a source of manganese but not calcium, and a high source of iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus. Among the various populations, the most substantial differences in secondary metabolite accumulation was observed in polyphenol, antioxidant, and flavonoid content of leaves as well as nitrile glycoside and tocopherol content of seeds. Pasteurizing seeds with dry heat does not significantly affect the 5-HTP content and seeds with black colored endosperms contained lower amounts of 5-HTP and nitrile glycosides than seeds with yellow endosperms. The 5-HTP content of all 18 dietary supplements was within ± 15% of the amounts declared on their labels.
NoteM.S.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Daniel Giurleo
Genretheses, ETD graduate
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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