Description
BioResources International Inc. (BRI) provides high quality seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia a natural source of the serotonin precursor, 5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan (5HTP).
Griffonia simplicifolia is a tropical shrub of high medicinal value abundant in Ghana , West Africa . The plant belongs to the botanical family Caesalpiniaceae, and grows as a woody climber in the coastal and secondary forest regions of Ghana . The plant flowers annually during the later half of the year (Aug-Nov) producing a two-inch pod which explodes with a loud noise when ripe, releasing seeds which are harvested and dried (Irvine, 1961) .
In Ghana , Griffonia is commonly named after its characteristic explosive noise, i.e. totolimo, gbogbloto (Ga); wotowoto (Ewe); kagya (Twi). Different parts of the plant are used traditionally to treat various ailments including vomiting, diarrhea, pelvic congestion, purgative, antiseptic for wounds and aphrodisiac. The twigs are used as chewing sticks while the leaves are fed to sheep and goats to stimulate reproduction or as insecticides to ward off lice from poultry coops. (Ayensu, 1978).
The seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia have been shown to be deficient in a critical decarboxylase enzyme involved in the tryptophan metabolic pathway leading to the accumulation of unusually high levels of 5HTP (Fellows and Bell, 1970). The levels of 5HTP in the mature seeds have been determined in the range of 10-18% on dry weight basis. Griffonia also provides a source of a well-known plant lectin with antigenic properties which is used as immunoreagent in diagnostic tests and blood group typing (Goldstein, 1983).
BRI through its affiliate company BRI ( Ghana ) Limited has established an efficient collection network for sustainable harvesting of Griffonia seeds. BRI has also conducted a thorough inventory of the natural resource base for the plant as well as a countrywide survey of the 5-HTP content of seed varieties collected from different regions and the optimum harvest time.
BRI ( Ghana ) has well-trained purchasing agents armed with up-to-date field instruments to confirm identity and grade the quality of seeds collected. The seeds are processed in controlled-heat drying facilities which ensures consistently low residual moisture below 10%. The dried seeds are packaged in 50 kilogram burlap bags and stored in environmentally-controlled warehouses until shipment.
BRI retains the services of senior scientists at the Universities of Ghana to conduct independent quality control tests including HPLC analysis of 5HTP, residual moisture and detection of microbial contaminants on each seed lot to meet specifications before shipment.
BRI handles its export business transactions including letters of credit, through the services of a leading international financial institution in the West African trading zone. BRI management staff resident in the US facilitates trade negotiations and coordinate timely delivery of orders to customers.
References:
Irvine , F. R. (1961) Woody Plants of Ghana with Reference to their Uses. Oxford University Press, London , UK .
Ayensu, E. S. (1978) Medicinal Plants of West Africa . Reference Publications, Michigan , USA .
Fellows, L. A., and Bell , E. A., (1970) 5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan, 5-Hydroxytryptamine and L-Tryptophan-5-Hydroxylase in Griffonia simplicifolia . Phytochemistry, vol. 9, pp 2389-2396.
