The distribution of the twelve known cucurbitacins in 45 species, belonging to 18 genera, is reported. In certain species the cucurbitacins occur exclusively as glycosides. Variations of bitter principle content in different parts and with age and origin of a plant have been found. An association of cucurbitacin B with D, G and H, and of cucurbitacin E with I, J and K is indicated. The relation between bitter principle composition and taxonomic divisions is discussed.
The bitter principle content of the seedlings of twenty-one species and a large numberThe cucurbitacins I3 and E are the main The biogenesis of the cucurbitacins, the taxonomy of the of varieties of cucurbits has been investigated. bitter principles in all seedlings. family and the genetics of bitterness are discussed in the light of these results.
IntroductionIn the preceding paper1 it was stated that the embryos of all the cucurbits investigated are completely free from bitter principles. These substances are, however, quickly formed in the germinating seeds, even in most of the varieties of cultivated cucurbits which contain no bitter principles at later stages of development.Since this discovery is of great importance in studying the inheritance of bitterness in cucurbits, the occurrence of bitter principles in the seedlings of twenty-one species, including many varieties which are non-bitter when mature, was investigated. The results obtained throw new light on the genetics and biogenesis of the cucurbitacins.
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