Studies on Cyanogenic Glycoside of Sorghum Vulgare

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Abstract
A method for germinating uni-form, etiolated seedlings of S. vulgare is described. Upon homogeniza-tion, the cyanogenic glycoside which occurs in these plants is hydrolyzed enzymically and equimolar amounts of HCN and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde are formed. The glycoside is localized in the aerial shoots of the plant. Seeds of Sorghum do not contain the glycoside but 3-day-old etiolated seedlings may contain as much as 15 [mu]moles per gram fresh weight. The 5-day-old green seedling contains approximately the same amount of glycoside but in this plant the amount decreases as the plant increases with age. Evidence for the instability of the cyanogenic glycoside in alkaline solutions is also presented.

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