Gynocardin from Baileyoxylon lanceolatum and a revision of cyanogenic glycosides in Achariaceae

The cyclopentenone cyanhydrin glycoside gynocardin was the only cyanogen isolated from foliage of monotypic Australian rainforest tree, Baileyoxylon lanceolatum (Achariaceae). The presence of cyanogenic compounds in plants can have considerable taxonomic utility. A review of previous reports of cyanogenesis in the recently revised Achariaceae revealed distinct taxonomic patterns as well as inconsistencies in the reporting of cyanogenic compounds. This variation appears to be due to tissue level localisation of cyanogenic compounds as well as discrepancies in results obtained from different detection methods. Recommendations are made for future investigations.