Griffonia simplicifolia

Griffonia simplicifolia is not consumed as a food ingredient for macronutrient or caloric value; its nutritional relevance is almost entirely defined by its seed bioactive alkaloid content. Primary bioactive compound: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), present in seeds at approximately 6–14% of dry seed weight (some commercial extracts standardized to 98% 5-HTP). Secondary bioactive compounds include griffonilide (a furanone lactone), lectins (particularly Griffonia simplicifolia lectin I and II, GS-I and GS-II, which are N-acetylgalactosamine and galactose-binding), and trace amounts of related indole alkaloids. Protein content of whole seeds is estimated at 15–20% dry weight, though protein is not commercially exploited. Carbohydrate content includes complex polysaccharides and fiber components (~30–40% dry weight), with lectins being glycoprotein-bound. Fat content is low (<5% dry weight). Mineral content is not well characterized, but seeds contain modest levels of iron and magnesium typical of leguminous species. Bioavailability note: 5-HTP from Griffonia seed extract is well absorbed orally with ~70% bioavailability, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier without requiring a transport molecule (unlike L-tryptophan), and is rapidly converted to serotonin via aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Lectins are largely denatured by heat processing and have limited systemic bioavailability when ingested.