Question:
Which of the following wild cucumber has highest level of cucurbitacins?
Which of the following wild cucumber has highest level of cucurbitacins?
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Bitter cucurbitacins are a hallmark of wild Cucurbits. Among wild Cucumis species, Cucumis hookeri (C. hookei) stands out for its high accumulation of Cucurbitacin B, making it a key model for bitterness biosynthesis studies.
Updated On: Aug 13, 2026
- C. naudinianus
- C. hookei
- C. foetidissima
- C. melo
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Cucurbitacins are a class of highly bitter-tasting tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds found in plants of the family Cucurbitaceae.
They serve as a chemical defense mechanism against herbivores.
Wild relatives of cultivated cucurbits typically contain much higher concentrations of these compounds than domesticated varieties.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Among wild cucurbits, several species produce exceptionally high levels of specific cucurbitacins.
Cucumis hookeri (frequently written as C. hookei in regional literature, and considered a wild relative of cucumber) is noted for having some of the highest concentrations of bitter cucurbitacins, particularly Cucurbitacin B.
These high concentrations make the plant extremely bitter and toxic if ingested, but highly valuable for extracting pure cucurbitacins for biochemical and pharmacological research (such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory studies).
While other wild species like C. naudinianus and Cucurbita foetidissima (buffalo gourd) also contain bitter compounds, the highest concentration of total cucurbitacins within the genus Cucumis is found in Cucumis hookeri.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Cucumis hookeri (C. hookei) contains the highest level of cucurbitacins among the given options, which corresponds to option (B).
Cucurbitacins are a class of highly bitter-tasting tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds found in plants of the family Cucurbitaceae.
They serve as a chemical defense mechanism against herbivores.
Wild relatives of cultivated cucurbits typically contain much higher concentrations of these compounds than domesticated varieties.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Among wild cucurbits, several species produce exceptionally high levels of specific cucurbitacins.
Cucumis hookeri (frequently written as C. hookei in regional literature, and considered a wild relative of cucumber) is noted for having some of the highest concentrations of bitter cucurbitacins, particularly Cucurbitacin B.
These high concentrations make the plant extremely bitter and toxic if ingested, but highly valuable for extracting pure cucurbitacins for biochemical and pharmacological research (such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory studies).
While other wild species like C. naudinianus and Cucurbita foetidissima (buffalo gourd) also contain bitter compounds, the highest concentration of total cucurbitacins within the genus Cucumis is found in Cucumis hookeri.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Cucumis hookeri (C. hookei) contains the highest level of cucurbitacins among the given options, which corresponds to option (B).
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