 |
| #Aumsum |
Onions produce the chemical irritant known as
syn-propanethial-S-oxide. It stimulates the eyes' lachrymal glands so they
release tears. Scientists used to blame the enzyme allinase for the instability
of substances in a cut onion. Recent studies from Japan, however, proved that
lachrymatory-factor synthase, (a previously undiscovered enzyme) is the culprit
(Imani et al, 2002).
- The process goes as follows:
- Lachrymatory-factor synthase is released into the air when we cut an onion.
- The synthase enzyme converts the amino acids sulfoxides of the onion into sulfenic acid.
- The unstable sulfenic acid rearranges itself into syn-ropanethial-S-oxide.
- Syn-propanethial-S-oxide gets into the air and comes in contact with our eyes. The lachrymal glands become irritated and produces the tears!
