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Cucurbitacins

Glossary

Cucurbitacins are bitter secondary plant compounds from the triterpenoid group, found in plants of the family Cucurbitaceae (gourd family).

In the context of Styrian pumpkin seed oil: in cultivated pumpkins intended for consumption, cucurbitacin levels have been greatly reduced by breeding. Strongly elevated cucurbitacin levels can occur if cultivated pumpkins back-cross with wild pumpkin species. In such cases the product may taste bitter and is not suitable for consumption.

Ingredients