Citronin

/ˈsɪtroʊnɪn/ noun

Definition

A yellow toxic pigment or compound produced by certain fungi, sometimes found in moldy citrus fruits or related products.

Etymology

From 'citron' (the fruit) plus the chemical suffix '-in' (indicating a chemical compound)—named because it was first identified in or associated with citrus-attacking fungi.

Kelly Says

Citronin is a mycotoxin that fungi produce to fight off competing microorganisms—nature's chemical warfare that humans discovered by studying the mold on forgotten fruit in labs!

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