Linamarin is a glucoside of acetone cyanohydrin found in the leaves and roots of cassava, lima beans, and flax. It is thought to function in the transport of nitrogen from plant leaves to roots in young plants but also serves as a plant defense mechanism. Linamarin is converted to toxic hydrocyanic acid or prussic acid when it comes into contact with linamarase, an enzyme that is released when the cells of cassava roots are ruptured.
Can be found in the seed skins and embryos of flax.
ChEBI: Linamarin is a beta-D-glucoside. It is functionally related to a 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanenitrile.
1) Jensen?et al.?(2011),?Convergent evolution in biosynthesis if cyanogenic defense compounds in plants; Nat. Commun.,?2?273
2) Rivadeneyra?et al. (2013),?Neurotoxic effect of linamarin in rats associated with cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) consumption; Food Chem. Toxicol.,?59?230
3) Kimani?et al. (2014),?Memory deficits associated with sublethal cyanide poisoning relative to cyanate toxicity in rodents; Metab. Brain Dis.,?29?105
