Allyl cyanide

[6] Allyl cyanide is produced in cruciferous vegetables by myrosinase, an enzyme which hydrolyses glucosinolates to form nitriles and other products.

[9] As cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and sprouts are part of the human diet, allyl cyanide is normally consumed orally.

Although the dose-response relationship is still to be examined, it is therefore thought that allyl cyanide has no potency as a neurotoxicant when consumed in vegetables.

[10] Studies performed on rats showed that allyl cyanide cause loss of hair cells in the auditory system and troubling of the cornea.

[11] The same study also showed that the rearing activity of rats was reduced by oral ingestion of allyl cyanide.

[12] Studies done with mice showed that a single (albeit rather high) dose of allyl cyanide can cause permanent behavioural changes.

[17] Ataxia, trembling, convulsions, diarrhea, salivation, lacrimation and irregular breathing are known effects that are caused by oral ingestion of allyl cyanide.

Structural formula of allyl cyanide
Ball-and-stick model of the allyl cyanide molecule
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 4: Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. E.g. VX gas Flammability 3: Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Flash point between 23 and 38 °C (73 and 100 °F). E.g. gasoline Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code