What compound is present in unripe jicama seeds or skin that can cause illness?
Answer
Pucherin
While the white, fleshy interior of the jicama root is safe and beneficial for consumption, certain parts of the plant must be avoided, especially in their raw state. Jicama, like many members of the nightshade family, contains trace amounts of a compound named pucherin. Ingesting large quantities of the unripe seeds or the outer skin, where concentrations might be higher or where the flesh hasn't fully developed, carries a risk of causing potential digestive distress or illness. Therefore, careful peeling to consume only the mature, white flesh is the necessary procedure for safe consumption.
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