Plural of gossypol; toxic compounds found in cotton seeds that can be removed for safe human and animal consumption.
From 'gossypol' (a chemical compound found in Gossypium species) + '-s' for plural. The root comes from the scientific name Gossypium plus '-ol' (chemistry suffix for alcohols).
Gossypols are actually being researched as natural pesticides and even potential male contraceptives—what makes cotton toxic to pests might help solve modern agricultural and medical challenges.
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