Cyclopentenoid cyanogenic glycosides

Figure 1. 6-Glucosidase-mediated hydrolysis of cyclopentenoid cyanogenic glycosides.

In most plants, cyanogenic glycosides are accompanied by a corresponding (3-glycosidase. One such enzyme system, emulsin, from almond seeds, has fairly broad specificity and has been widely studied. Most of these enzymes, however, have more specific substrate requirements. The specificity of enzymes from plants containing cyclopentenoid cyanogenic glycosides has been reviewed (Spencer, 1987). 

In some instances, when an unnatural enzyme is added to a substrate and the natural enzyme then added, no reaction is observed. The nature of these effects is dependent on concentrations of enzymes and substrates as well as the order of addition. Interactions of this type for cyclopentenoid cyanogenic glycosides and the corresponding enzyme system have been reviewed (Spencer, 1987). 

Spencer, K. C. and D. S. Seigler, Passibiflorin, epipassibiflorin, and passitrifasciatin Cyclopentenoid cyanogenic glycosides from Passiflora, Phytochemistry, 24, 981-986 (1985d). 

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