Kiwis Under the Microscope Will SURPRISE You!

Now I know why my throat is itchy after eating kiwis 🥝 it has nothing to do with allergies!
I mean, have you seen how pointy these structures inside the fruit are?? They’re like a bunch of needles!
Seriously though, I was surprised to read that those needle-shaped structures, called raphides, are crystals made of calcium oxalate and are known to cause irritation in the mouth! When chewing, these crystals are being freed from their cells and cause irritation to the mouth’s mucous membranes! Kiwi are also pretty acidic and contain enzymes called actinidin that digest proteins which are also known to produce a itchy sensation! The combination of those three factors is deadly 😂
Calcium oxalate crystals can be found in almost all photosynthetic organisms from micro algae to flowering plants and their main functions are to store calcium for later use, to protect plants from herbivores and for metal detoxification. These beautiful crystals are present in most organs and tissues of the plant and are stored in specialized cells called idioblasts! In fact, there are a total of 215 plant families that accumulate calcium oxalate in their tissues.
Calcium oxalate crystals are amongst the first structures that have been observed under the microscope by Leeuwenhoek, the father of microscopy, in the 1600s. Since then, these crystals have been found in rocks, soil and in bacteria, protists, fungi, plants and animals.
Kiwis are native to the temperate forests of the hills and mountains of southern and central China. Kiwi fruits were introduced to Europe, the US and New Zealand at the beginning of the 20th century. The name kiwi was attributed by a kiwi producing company from New Zealand, representing the kiwi bird; the emblem of New Zealand. Since then, it has been accepted worldwide as the fruit’s name. Not only kiwis have a gorgeous green colour but they’re also full of awesome nutrients; they contain dietary fibers, potassium, vitamin C and E as well as antioxidants!
Videos taken with my iPhone mounted on a BA310E Motic microscope with an @ilabcam ultra adapter 🔬
References:
Ferguson, A. R. (2011). Kiwifruit: a botanical review. Horticultural Reviews, Volume 6, 6.
Franceschi, V. R., & Nakata, P. A. (2005). Calcium oxalate in plants: formation and function. Annual review of plant biology, 56, 41.
Perera, C. O., Hallet, I. C., Nguyen, T. T., & Charles, J. C. (1990). Calcium oxalate crystals: The irritant factor in kiwifruit. Journal of Food Science, 55(4), 1066-1069.
Richardson, D. P., Ansell, J., & Drummond, L. N. (2018). The nutritional and health attributes of kiwifruit: a review. European journal of nutrition, 57(8), 2659-2676.

[@snxvy111]

That’s why I feel something sharp inside my mouth while eating these

[@DuckBuckled]

i am allergic to kiwis, feels nauseatic as soon as i eat one, effects after minutes

[@Snowfrostmsm]

No wonder why i feel pain on my fingers by eating it

[@GRAPEGTAGOFFICIAL]

These needle things are called raphides they an also be a defense mechanism for the plant

[@heresteven]

i feel nothing. they're so soft

[@Sheswho]

No wonder my tongue and lips hurt after

[@youtubeuser3182]

I knew they’d have the little barbs like pineapple!
Those are the two fruits I always get a rash on my tongue and corners of my lips when I eat them!

[@telesniper2]

Look at all those toxins and antinutrients

[@Oneminmicro]

Amazing!!!!

[@mebibyte9347]

God these are so good.

[@kim.in.nature.]

Those needle-like objects are oxalate's

[@Livy2K]

A kiwi have a defense mechanism where Needles puncture your mouth and it hurts very bad So be careful

[@Chartreuse_Moose]

Man, kiwis are sharp. 😬

[@EShopHero]

Love it❤❤

[@chevyfish4028]

Unexpected. 🔬

[@ChefIsaac925]

The creation of yahuwah is amazing

[@williamheinrich6925]

That is completely disgusting 🤮🤮🤮🤮😷

[@rayodelaguerra]

Helifobacter??? 🤔

[@ernesto1727]

🎊 Promo>SM!!

[@kumphobsorayothin3230]

😘🥰☺️❤️🥳🤗❤️👰

[@williamheinrich6925]

I don't like those 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤢