Allyl isothiocyanate from mustard seed is effective in reducing the levels of volatile sulfur compounds responsible for intrinsic oral malodor

J Breath Res. 2013 Jun;7(2):026001. doi: 10.1088/1752-7155/7/2/026001. Epub 2013 Mar 8.

Abstract

Oral malodor is a major social and psychological issue that affects general populations. Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), particularly hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH), are responsible for most oral malodor. The objectives for this study were to determine whether allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) at an organoleptically acceptable level can eliminate VSCs containing a free thiol moiety and further to elucidate the mechanism of action and reaction kinetics. The study revealed that gas chromatograph with a sulfur detector demonstrated a good linearity, high accuracy and sensitivity on analysis of VSCs. Zinc salts eliminate the headspace level of H₂S but not CH₃SH. AITC eliminates both H₂S and CH₃SH via a nucleophilic addition reaction. In addition, a chemical structure-activity relationship study revealed that the presence of unsaturated group on the side chain of the isothiocyanate accelerates the elimination of VSCs.

MeSH terms

  • Breath Tests / methods*
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Food Preservatives / pharmacology
  • Halitosis / diagnosis*
  • Halitosis / drug therapy
  • Halitosis / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Isothiocyanates / pharmacology*
  • Mustard Plant*
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Sulfur Compounds / analysis*

Substances

  • Food Preservatives
  • Isothiocyanates
  • Sulfur Compounds
  • allyl isothiocyanate