Crossword Genius

Not ripe, perhaps, but you need it in your diet (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

protein

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'you need it in your diet' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'not ripe perhaps' is the wordplay.
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'not'+'ripe'='notripe'
'notripe' with letters rearranged gives 'PROTEIN'.

'but' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for protein that I've seen before include "Key part of healthy diet" , "Organic compound, essential constituent of living cells" , "Dietary requirement" , "Combination of amino acids in living matter" , "A body chemical; pointer (anag.)" .)

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