''S''-Allylcysteine (SAC) is an
organosulfur compound
Organosulfur compounds are organic compounds that contain sulfur. They are often associated with foul odors, but many of the sweetest compounds known are organosulfur derivatives, e.g., saccharin. Nature abounds with organosulfur compounds—sulfu ...
that is a constituent of fresh
garlic
Garlic (''Allium sativum'') is a species of bulbous flowering plant in the genus ''Allium''. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, Allium fistulosum, Welsh onion and Allium chinense, Chinese onion. It is native to South A ...
. It is a derivative of the
amino acid cysteine
Cysteine (symbol Cys or C; ) is a semiessential proteinogenic amino acid with the formula . The thiol side chain in cysteine often participates in enzymatic reactions as a nucleophile.
When present as a deprotonated catalytic residue, sometime ...
in which an
allyl
In organic chemistry, an allyl group is a substituent with the structural formula , where R is the rest of the molecule. It consists of a methylene bridge () attached to a vinyl group (). The name is derived from the scientific name for garlic, ...
group replaces the proton on sulfur. A number of related compounds are found in garlic, including the disulfide ''S''-"allylmercaptocysteine" (SAMC) and γ-glutamyl-''S''-allylcysteine" (GSAC).
Allylcysteine is of interest for its potential medicinal properties. and as a chemopreventive.
See also
*
Alliin, the S-oxide of allyl cysteine
References
External links
S-allyl-laevo-cysteine thegoodscentscompany.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Allyl Cysteine, S-
Sulfur amino acids
Antioxidants
Thioethers
Allyl compounds