The fluffy white material commonly known as cotton fiber, used in textiles and many household products, is not edible for humans. Unlike some plant-based foods, raw cotton fiber cannot be digested by the human body. This material, while seemingly innocuous, poses several risks if consumed.
Why Raw Cotton Fiber is Inedible
Raw cotton fiber consists almost entirely of cellulose, a complex carbohydrate humans cannot digest, meaning it passes through the body undigested, similar to paper or wood. Beyond its indigestibility, commercially grown cotton is not cultivated as a food crop and is often treated with pesticides during growth. After harvesting, cotton undergoes extensive processing with bleaches and other chemicals, rendering it unsafe. Ingesting raw cotton fiber can also present physical hazards, such as a choking risk, and may lead to an indigestible mass, known as a bezoar, within the digestive tract.
The Exception of Cottonseed
While cotton fiber is inedible, its seeds are different. Cottonseed naturally contains gossypol, a yellowish pigment that acts as a protective toxin against insects and pathogens. Raw cottonseed is unsafe for human consumption due to gossypol, causing adverse effects like male infertility and damage to the heart and liver. However, industrial processing can reduce or remove gossypol, making certain derived products safe.
Processes like heat treatment, caustic refining, and solvent extraction can bind gossypol to proteins or separate it from the oil, yielding edible cottonseed oil and cottonseed meal. Cottonseed oil is widely used in cooking, while cottonseed meal serves as a protein-rich feed for livestock, particularly ruminants like cattle, which tolerate higher gossypol levels. Scientific advancements have also led to genetically modified cotton varieties, such as TAM66274, which produce ultra-low gossypol levels in the seeds while retaining protective levels elsewhere. These low-gossypol cottonseeds are being explored as a sustainable protein source for human nutrition.
What About Cotton Candy?
Cotton candy, a popular confection, often causes confusion due to its name and appearance. This sugary treat contains no actual cotton fiber from the cotton plant; its name derives from its fluffy, web-like texture resembling cotton. Cotton candy is made by heating granulated sugar to its melting point, around 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius). The molten sugar is then spun at high speeds through tiny holes, creating fine, hair-like strands that rapidly cool and solidify upon contact with air. These delicate threads are collected, forming the airy, melt-in-your-mouth confection.