Ginkgo biloba Seeds—An Environmental Pollutant or a Functional Food

Abstract

Ginkgo biloba has been cultivated in Bulgaria since the end of the 19th century. Ividual specimens can be seen in almost every park. Females of the tree are considered contaminants of the landscape because their ripe seeds have a strong odor and are not utilized. We undertook this study to clarify whether ginkgo seeds of local origin can be converted from an unwanted and unused environmental pollutant into a source of beneficial compounds. Various analytical and chromatographic methods were used to quantify the major constituents and ten biologically active compounds in methanol seed extract. The results showed that the seeds are low in proteins (5%) and fats (1%); the seeds were also rich in unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. About 44% of nut starch was resistant to in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis. The amount of terpene trilactones in an aqueous-methanol seed extract was significantly higher than the number of flavonoids. Ginkgotoxin and ginkgolic acid were also found. The extract demonstrated weak antimicrobial activity against thirteen microorganisms. This study revealed that seeds of locally grown Ginkgo trees can be used as a source of biologically active substances. The chemical composition show similarity to those of seeds from other geographical areas.

The Potential of Ginkgo biloba as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds—A Review of the Recent Literature and Patents

“…The approximate calorific value of Ginkgo biloba dried leaves is 287 kcal/g [ 31 ]. In turn, according to the study by Tomowa et al (2021) [ 32 ], the protein content of Ginkgo biloba seeds was 5 g/100 g of raw seeds or about 11 g/100 g dw. The fat content in raw nuts was 1 g/100 g, and in dry matter, 2.04 g/100 g. The content of saturated acids was 19 g/100 g, polyunsaturated 40 g/100 g, and monounsaturated 41 g/100 g. Starch was isolated as seed after extraction with organic solvents and water.…”

“…It is credited with relieving symptoms, memory functions and handling, dizziness, migraines, or tinnitus. To be able to attribute the pro-health effect of EGb761, it should contain 22–27% of flavonoids and 5–7% of terpenoids and less than 5 ppm ginkgo biloba acid (i.e., 0.0005% ginkgo biloba acid in the preparation) [ 6 , 32 ].…”

“…While eating cooked ginkgo seeds is safer than eating them raw, they can be toxic if consumed in large amounts or over a long period of time, especially in children. Ginkgo seeds contain a toxic component of MPN (4-methoxypyridoxin) called ginkgotoxin, and in addition, ginkgo seed tests contain large amounts of alkylphenol (over 4% ginkgolic acid)—eating more than 10–20 nuts a day may pose a health risk [ 32 ]. However, it has been shown that the concentration of ginkgotoxin in the protein of ginkgo seeds increases during the growing season and reaches its maximum in early August, but then its content drops sharply.…”

Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species in Horticultural and Ornamental Systems: Perspectives for Biodiversity, Nutraceuticals and Agricultural Sustainability

“…The possibility of converting Ginkgo biloba seeds from an unwanted and unused environmental pollutant into a source of beneficial compounds in Bulgaria was the subject of the article by Tomova et al [10]. The authors applied various analytical and chromatographic methods to quantify the major constituents and ten biologically active compounds in methanol seed extract.…”

Distinction of Male and Female Trees of Ginkgo biloba Using LAMP

“…Female plants are not desirable for this purpose since their seeds emit a foul odor [ 6 – 8 ]. Although ginkgo leaf extracts might provide some health benefits, recent studies have revealed that components of ginkgo seed have the potential to cause severe allergic reactions and carcinogenic activities [ 8 – 12 ]. Amplification of nucleic acid is the most useful method in nucleic acid detection.…”