The polyphenolic gossypol pigments are indigenous in the genus Gossypium and in certain other members of the order Malvales.  In the cotton plant, they are contained almost exclusively within discrete bodies commonly called pigment glands, which are found in the leaves, stems, roots, and seed of cotton plants.  The occurrence of the gossypol pigments in cottonseed is of considerable economic importance.  Although cottonseed is a by-product of the cotton fiber, the processing of cottonseed is a major industry in the cotton-producing areas of the world.  World production of cottonseed in 1976 was estimated at 25.6 million tons, of which 4.0 million tons were produced in the United States.  In the 14 cotton-producing states of the United States the seed represents a multimillion dollar agricultural crop.  Oils and meals obtained from cottonseed are recognized as highly desirable or preferred products in the markets in which they compete.  The principal quality deficiencies of these cottonseed products are due to their contents of gossypol pigments.