First insights into the mode of action of a “lachrymatory factor synthase” - Implications for the mechanism of lachrymator formation in Petiveria alliacea, Allium cepa and Nectaroscordum species

► The mechanism of lachrymatory sulfine formation in Petiveria alliacea was studied. ► The sulfine is formed by hydride abstraction from phenylmethanesulfenic acid. ► It is concluded that the P. alliacea LFS is a dehydrogenase, whereas the LFS from onion (Allium cepa) is an isomerase.