A plant genus of the family CUCURBITACEAE known for the fruit which is the source of the luffa sponge and the seeds which contain luffin.

The gourd plant family of the order Violales, subclass Dilleniidae, class Magnoliopsida. It is sometimes placed in its own order, Cucurbitales. 'Melon' generally refers to CUCUMIS; CITRULLUS; or MOMORDICA.

Ribosome inactivating proteins consisting of only the toxic A subunit, which is a polypeptide of around 30 kDa.

Triterpenes that derive from LANOSTEROL by a shift of the C19 methyl to the C9 position. They are found in seeds and roots of CUCURBITACEAE and other plants and are noted for intense bitterness.

The encapsulated embryos of flowering plants. They are used as is or for animal feed because of the high content of concentrated nutrients like starches, proteins, and fats. Rapeseed, cottonseed, and sunflower seed are also produced for the oils (fats) they yield.