MECHANISMS OF FORMATION OF VOLATILE SULFUR-COMPOUNDS FOLLOWING THE ACTION OF CYSTEINE SULFOXIDE LYASES

Mechanisms for the formation of methanethiol, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide in disrupted cabbage tissues were investigated. Dimethyl disulfide was produced in both air- and nitrogen-saturated disrupted cabbage tissues without significant. differences (p less than or equal to 0.05), which indicated that air oxidation of methanethiol is not the predominant mechanism for the formation of dimethyl disulfide. These results favored the mechanism in which the formation of dimethyl,disulfide occurs from chemical disproportionation of methyl methanethiosulfinate. Methanethiol and dimethyl trisulfide were formed rapidly in model systems containing either methyl methanethiosulfinate or methyl methanethiosulfonate and hydrogen sulfide. This indicated that the reactions of the thiosulfinate and thiosulfonate compounds with hydrogen sulfide are prominent mechanisms for the formation of methanethiol and dimethyl trisulfide following the action of cysteine sulfoxide lyases. Methyl methanethiosulfinate and methyl methanethiosulfonates were found to possess characterizing sauerkraut aroma notes.