What compounds found in the *Cucurbitaceae* family are responsible for bitterness?
Answer
Cucurbitacins
Cucurbitacins are chemical compounds present within the *Cucurbitaceae* family, and they are directly responsible for imparting bitterness to the plants that contain them. While the widely consumed cucamelon variety is prized for its mild tartness, a genuinely bitter flavor in a gourd is a warning sign. High concentrations of cucurbitacins can be toxic, and this bitterness often manifests when the plant experiences stress during its growing phase, signaling a potentially problematic consumption risk.
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