Metabolization of cyanogenic glucosides inHevea brasiliensis

Over 90% of the cyanogenic precursors ofHevea seeds is stored in the endosperm tissue. During seedling development most of the cyanogenic material is consumed to form noncyanogenic compounds. No gaseous HCN is liberated in the course of this process. The -glucosidase, responsible for the cleavage of cyanogenic glucosides and the key enzyme for cyanogenesis is widely distributed over all tissues. The highest enzyme activity of the HCN-metabolizing -cyanoalaninesynthase is found in young seedling tissues. It is concluded, that the cyanogenic glucosides must be transported and metabolized in the young, growing tissues.Lecture held at the Tagung der Deutschen Botanischen Gesellschaft in Vienna, September 1984.