Cyanogenic glucosides, linamarin and lotaustralin occurring in white clover, are the secondary metabolites which during enzymatic cleavage or hydrolysis release cyanide, acetone and metylethylketon. These compounds may cause chronic or acute poisoning in animals. Thus, from a nutritional point of view the cyanogens are recognised as antinutritive factors. In the present review, recent literature data on the occurrence of cyanogens and the enzymes hydrolysing them in plants as weil as biochemical polymorphism of cyanogenesis in white clover are presented. Some problems of the costs and benefits of cyanogen synthesis in plant and their possible ecological function have also been discussed. Since cyanogens are recognised by many authors as a compounds protecting plants against herbivores, some aspects of their influence on animal are summarised. It was thought until recently that Polish varieties of white clover contain trace amounts of cyanogenic glucosides. Our recent studies showed, however, that some varieties recommended in 1993 contain high amounts of these compounds and that this concentration may drastically change during the growing season. The presented data clearly show that at least some of these varieties should not be recommended to be used as pasture sward components.
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