Prunasin

Natural occurrences

Prunasin is found in species in the genus Prunus such as Prunus japonica or P. maximowiczii and in bitter almonds. It is also found in leaves and stems of Olinia ventosa, O. radiata, O. emarginata and O. rochetiana and in Acacia greggii.

It is also found in dandelion coffee, a coffee substitute.

Metabolism

Prunasin beta-glucosidase is an enzyme that uses (R)-prunasin and H₂O to produce D-glucose and mandelonitrile.

Amygdalin beta-glucosidase is an enzyme that uses (R)-amygdalin and H₂O to produce (R)-prunasin and D-glucose.