Factors Influencing In Vivo Formation of p-Hydroxymandelonitrile-β-d-Glucoside

Abstract

Sorghum vulgare were germinated under conditions which allowed little cyanogenic glucoside formation. Only 1 cyanogenic glucoside was found. L-tyrosine, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, DL-p-hydroxyphenylserine and L-serine all increased the quantity of cyanogenic glucoside formed compared to a control while other amino acids inhibited its formation. The glucoside was synthesized more rapidly by plants exposed to light than others kept in the dark. The data are discussed in terms of L-tyrosine and and related compounds as precursors of the aglycon portion of the glycoside.