Flavor precursors cysteine Sulfur compounds

Onions Allium cepa) were shown to contain similar compounds, S-methyl and S-propyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (20). The principal flavor precursor in onion is fmn -S( + )-l-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide 21, 22, 23). It is responsible for the lachrymatory properties and bitter taste of freshly cut onion (22). All these compounds were cleaved by an S-alkyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide lyase from onion 24, 25) which yielded pyruvate and ammonia in addition to a sulfur compound. The enzyme has also been demonstrated in Bacillus subtilis 26) and in a number of the Cruciferae where the only substrate known is S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (27). The product presumably gives rise to dimethyl disulfide which is the odor of cooked cabbage. 

The flavor precursors, 5 -alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides, themselves do not have any specific flavor. However, when garlic or onion cells are damaged by cutting or crushing and the 5 -alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides meet the C-S lyase (alliinase), they are converted into various volatile sulfuric compounds. Stoll and Seebeck (1951) first proposed the production of diallyl thiosulfinate (allicin) from the 5 -allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (alliin) by the C-S lyase. Through the reaction catalyzed by the C-S lyase, 5 -alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides yield alk(en)yl sulfenic acid and aminoacrylic acid, the latter being spontaneously degraded... 

Lenthionine has the characteristic shiitake flavor. It is formed from the precursor, lentinic acid 14 by complex reactions involving a C-S lyase enzyme.30 Cyclic polysulfides occur in other Basidiomycete mushrooms (Genus Micromp-hale and Colly bid), in some red alga, and in seeds of Parkia speciosa. The latter contain lenthionine and 1,2,4-trithiolane (1,2,4-trithiacyclopentane) 17 as well as compounds with 4, 5, or 6 sulfur atoms.31 These seeds are valued in Indonesia for a unique, onion-like odor. Djenkolic acid and dichrostachinic acid S -[(2-carboxy-2-hydroxyethylsulfonyl)-methyl]cysteine are converted by a C-S lyase enzyme to cyclic polysulfides djenkolic acid yields 1,2,4-trithiolane and 1,2,4,6-tetrathiepane the latter is also formed from dichrostachinic acid.32... 

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