4 ms·
Not the same molecules. In bitter melon it is mainly momordicine (an alkaloid) that seem to cause the bitterness.
by ta988 4y ago
Not the same molecules. In bitter melon it is mainly momordicine (an alkaloid) that seem to cause the bitterness.
- 01100011 4y agoInteresting! It looks like bitter melon also has cucurbitacins though. I wonder how you'd determine a bitter melon is producing toxic cucurbitacins before eating it, since it's already bitter from the momordicine?
- ta988 4y agoYes it could be tricky, and they really tend to cross-pollinate. The best way is to not grow it close to non-edible Curcubitaceae, which can be tricky in an environment with neighbors around. Also you don't tend to eat a lot of bitter melon at once maybe that could reduce the risk.