Studies on the metabolism and excretion of benzyl isothiocyanate in man

Abstract

1. Both after ingestion of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a compound with antibacterial properties, and after consumption of garden cress known to contain BITC, the metabolite N-acetyl-5-(N-benzylthiocarbamoyl)-L-cysteine was identified in the urine of volunteers by comparative chromatography.

2. The chemical structure of the metabolite was confirmed by elemental analysis and by comparison of the i.r. and ¹H-n.m.r. spectra with those of the synthetic product.

3. On average 53˙7% of the dose of BITC was excreted as this metabolite by the renal route.

4. The metabolite was excreted rapidly, appearing with maximum concentrations some 2-6h after dosing and being essentially complete 10-12 h after administration.