[1] Persin is an oil-soluble compound structurally similar to a fatty acid, a colourless oil, and it leaches into the body of the fruit from the seeds.

The relatively low concentrations of persin in the ripe pulp of the avocado fruit is generally considered harmless to humans.

[2][3] All parts of the avocado — the fruit, leaves, stems, and seeds — contain the toxin.

[7] Animal studies show that exposure to persin leads to apoptosis in certain types of breast cancer cells.

[11] Persin is however highly insoluble in aqueous solutions and more research will be needed to put it into a soluble tablet form.