(2R)-2-azaniumyl-3-[(S)-prop-2-ene-1-sulfinyl]propanoate

DescriptionAlliin (S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide) is an organic sulfur-containing product derived from the amino acid cysteine. It is the precursor of thiosulfinates, which are responsible for the characteristic pungent flavours of Allium species. It is an L-alanine derivative in which one of the methyl hydrogens of L-alanine has been replaced by an (S)-allyl sulfinyl group. It has a role as a plant metabolite, an antioxidant, a cardioprotective agent, a neuroprotective agent and an antimicrobial agent. It is a non-proteinogenic alpha-amino acid, an L-cysteine derivative, an L-alanine derivative, a sulfoxide and an olefinic compound. It is a tautomer of an alliin zwitterion.

OccurrenceAlliin is a sulfoxide that is a natural constituent of fresh garlic. It is a derivative of the amino acid cysteine. When fresh garlic is chopped or crushed, the enzyme alliinase converts alliin into allicin, which is responsible for the aroma of fresh garlic. Garlic powder is not a source of alliin, nor is fresh garlic upon maceration since the enzymatic conversion to allicin takes place in the order of seconds. Alliin was the first natural product with both carbon- and sulfur-centered stereochemistry[1].

Usesantibacterial, antioxidant