Glucosinolates
Gynandropsis gynandra belongs to the Cleomeaceae family, in the order Brassicales, and as such its plant parts may contain glucosinolates. The seeds are known to contain glucocapparin and glucocleomin (Mnzava et al., 2004). The leaves of certain varieties have been shown to contain 3-hydroxypropyl glucosinolate (5-11 µmol/g DM) as the main glucosinolate, but the leaves contained much less glucosinolates than inflorescences and siliques (Omondi et al., 2017).
Acridity and bitterness
Gynandropsis gynandra leaves and seeds contain an acrid volatile oil comparable with mustard oil that is known to act as a repellent for ticks. The leaves are bitter for humans (Chweya et al., 1997; Mnzava et al., 2004).