Enzymic hydrolysis of glucosinolates in a low water system

The hydrolysis of glucosinolates by a co‐occurring thioglucosidase, myrosinase, produces a range of physiologically active compounds including organic isothiocyanates and nitriles. Myrosinase is known to be a membrane‐bound enzyme, thus the reaction with glucosinolates is likely to occur in vivo at an interface. Glucosinolates were hydrolysed in a low water system both with and without surfactant. In the former case, more rapid hydrolysis was observed than occurs in buffered aqueous solution. Desulphoglucosinolates were found to inhibit glucosinolate hydrolysis in this system.