Abstract
Cycasin, a new toxic glycoside, C8H16O7N2, has been isolated from the seeds of Japanese cycad, ion-exchange resins and active carbon chromatography being used. From the results of the ex-amination of the decomposition products such as nitrogen gas, formaldehyde, and cyanide etc. and of the ultraviolet and infrared absorption spectra, its aglycone is considered to be identical with that of macrozamin from Australian cycad, reported by Lythgoe et al. It is found, however, that the sugar component of cycasin is one molecule of glucose, unlike that of macrozamin namely primeverose. Cycasin is, therefore, concluded to be a new com-pound, glucosyloxyazoxymethane.
