Applications of direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) in Allium chemistry. 2-propenesulfenic and 2-propenesulfinic acids, diallyl trisulfane S-oxide, and other reactive sulfur compounds from crushed garlic and other Alliums.

Through the use of direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS), 2-propenesulfenic acid, an intermediate long postulated as being formed when garlic ( Allium sativum ) is crushed, has been detected for the first time and determined by mass spectrometric methods to have a half-life of <1 s at room temperature. Two other key intermediates, 2-propenesulfinic acid and diallyl trisulfane S-oxide, have also been detected for the first time in volatiles from crushed garlic, along with allicin and related thiosulfinates, allyl alcohol, sulfur dioxide, propene, and pyruvate as coproducts. A commercial dietary supplement containing garlic powder, which was sampled after crushing, was found to contain alliin, methiin, and S-allylcysteine and produced allicin upon addition of water. DART-MS detection of 1-butenesulfenic acid from the ornamental A. siculum is also reported. (Z)-Propanethial S-oxide (onion lachrymatory factor), absent in garlic, is found to be formed from crushed elephant garlic ( Allium ampeloprasum ), consistent with the classification of this plant as a closer relative of leek than of garlic. Mixtures of thiosulfinates, lachrymatory thial S-oxides, and related compounds are directly observed from crushed leek ( Allium porrum ) and Chinese chive ( Allium tuberosum ). Disulfanes and polysulfanes are detected only when the Allium samples are heated, consistent with earlier conclusions that these are not primary products from cut or crushed alliums.