The occurrence of cyanogenetic glucosides in South African species of Acacia. I

Abstract

(1) Cyanogenetic glucosides were found in five South African species of Acacia (A. giraffae Willd., A. lasiopetala Oliv., A. litakunensis Burch., A. robusta Burch., and A. stolonifera Burch.), whilst repeated tests conducted with the fresh leaves, flowers, and immature pods of Acacia karroo Hayne failed to reveal the presence of such a glucoside. The glucoside in A. robusta was not accompanied by an enzyme capable of splitting it. Certain processes of decomposition appear to destroy the enzyme, but not the glucoside in the shells of the pods (Acacia giraffae Willd.). (2) Methods are described of feeding the pods of species of Acacia, which contain cyanogenetic glucosides, to stock with safety. (3) A cyanogenetic glucoside has been isolated from Acacia lasiopetala Oliv. Its formula is shown to be C₁₁H₁₇O₆N. It has M.P. 176-7°, and [α]²²/D = - 35•96° , and does not correspond with any known cyanogenetic glucoside. The name Acacipetalin is suggested for this substance, the constitution of which will form the subject of a further communication.