Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a naturally occurring
isothiocyanate whose precursor,
gluconasturtiin is found in some
cruciferous vegetables,
especially
watercress.
PEITC has been studied for its potential for
chemoprevention of cancers,
such as prostate cancer.
In terms of
biosynthesis
Biosynthesis is a multi-step, enzyme-catalyzed process where substrates are converted into more complex products in living organisms. In biosynthesis, simple compounds are modified, converted into other compounds, or joined to form macromolecules. ...
, PEITC is produced from
gluconasturtiin by the action of the enzyme
myrosinase.
References
Isothiocyanates
{{Cruciferous Biochemistry