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| Part of the chemical basis for the earthy smell following rain: geosmin - a terpenoid compound produced by some bacteria but also by beets (Beta vulgaris) as part of their signature earthy flavor. Thanks @mishaploid for another awesome #PhytochemicalFriday suggestion! |
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| Psoralen - a naturally-occurring compound in fig leaves, celery, & parsley (among others) - is a flat molecule capable of squeezing into the DNA double helix and impeding DNA replication. It appears to be responsible for fig leaf photodermatitis. #PhytochemicalFriday (the 13th)! |
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| Nootkatone, a component in the signature aroma of grapefruit, has a variety of insecticidal properties, protecting the various plants that make it. It's non-toxic to humans though (GRAS), and is a key component of various products, including Fresca! #PhytochemicalFriday |
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| Happy #PhytochemicalFriday from @UMDSwenson in Duluth, MN! Today: tremetone, a component of the toxic mixture tremetol from white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima). It can poison consumers of milk from cows that've eaten the plant - killed many in the 1800s (Abe Lincoln's mother!?) |
