Question

The bitterness in colocasia corms is due to

• A. Calcium chloride
• B. Calcium oxalate
• C. Calcium carbonate
• D. Potassium oxalate

Hint:

Many plants in the Araceae family, like Colocasia, contain needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate called raphides. These crystals cause irritation and a "bitter" or acrid sensation when the plant tissue is consumed raw.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Raw colocasia corms cause an acrid, scratchy sensation in the mouth.
Step 2: This is due to needle-shaped raphide crystals piercing the mucous membrane.
Step 3: These raphides are made of insoluble calcium oxalate, not chloride, carbonate or potassium oxalate.
Step 4: Correct option: \( \boxed{\text{Calcium oxalate}} \).