Comparative Analysis Of Calcium Oxalate Crystals Of Three Edible Taxa In South West Bengal, India

Calcification and the formation of crystals is a common phenomenon in many plant groups under normal conditions. In Angiosperms, calcium oxalate is predominantly deposited as calcium salt and the most commonly encountered shapes include the raphides, druses, styloids, prismatic and crystal sands. They are varies from species to species or with in species, mainly occurs sporadically in all organs. Raphides (long, slim, pointed crystals) were most common, but druses (crystal aggregates) were also found in most of the plant organ, which also give mechanical support, mineral balance, waste sequestration, and protection against herbivores have all been proposed as crystal functions. Raphides have long been associated with the acridity of the aroids, meaning that when eaten raw they cause swelling of the lips, mouth and throat. Detoxification via cooking, pounding or leaching neutralizes the chemical, hence making the aroids edible, but does not destroy or degrade the raphides The edibility is depend upon the distribution and frequency of calcium oxalate crystals (COCs).