A SULPHUR-CONTAINING SUBSTANCE FROM THE SEED OF CONRINGIA ORIENTALISE

Abstract

The seeds of Conringia orientalis, which contain a bitter principle, were crushed, freed from fat, and steeped in water. The chloroform extract of the aqueous liquor yielded a crystalline substance which was identified as 2-mercapto-5,5-dimethyl-oxazoline (I). It tastes bitter to some persons but is tasteless to others. The suggestion is made that the seeds contain β-methyl allyl isothiocyanate in the form of a glycoside, and that this substance is converted to (I) during the treatment described above.