Pumpkins could be hiding a deadly secret, study finds

Pumpkins and other gourds may be hiding a toxic secret - they can absorb dangerous pollutants from the soil and store them in their edible parts.

Scientists at Kobe University have discovered that subtle differences in plant proteins explain why pumpkins, courgettes and squash soak up more contaminants than other crops.

The finding that could lead to pollution-resistant vegetables or even plants designed to clean up contaminated land.

Professor Hideyuki Inui, the study’s lead scientist, said: “The pollutants don’t easily break down and thus pose a health risk to people who eat the fruit.

“Interestingly, other plants don’t do this, so I became interested in why this happens in gourds specifically.”

The team found that a key protein binds to pollutants and transports them through the pl