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List of used abbreviations - RosDok - Universität Rostock

List of used abbreviations - RosDok - Universität Rostock

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humans: 1) the thiomethyl <strong>of</strong> methionine residues in proteins; 2) the disulfides<br />

present in proteins; and 3) sulfates present in glycosaminoglycans, steroids, and<br />

many xenobiotic metabolites. Thus, sulfur is an important constituent <strong>of</strong> amino acids,<br />

proteins, enzymes, vitamins and other biomolecules. Unlike mammalian species,<br />

plants can use inorganic sulfur for the biosynthesis <strong>of</strong> methionine from which are<br />

synthesized all the other important bioorganic sulfur compounds. Hence, sulfur<br />

deficiency occurs mainly when plants are grown in sulfur-depleted soils and when<br />

humans and animals consume low-protein diets. In recent time, the increasing<br />

prevalence <strong>of</strong> refining petroleum and the conversion <strong>of</strong> sulfur-containing metal salts<br />

and minerals into the free metals have a large impact on the balance <strong>of</strong> sulfur in the<br />

environment. Sulfur toxicity is associated mainly with high levels <strong>of</strong> volatile<br />

substances in the environment. Sulfur dioxide (SO2), a major air pollutant, may<br />

adversely affect animal and human health by causing bronchitis, bronchoconstriction,<br />

and increased pulmonary resistance. Most organic sulfur compounds in the<br />

environment are naturally occurring, as a consequence <strong>of</strong> the fact that sulfur is<br />

essential for life and two amino acids contain this element.<br />

Organosulfur compounds are <strong>of</strong>ten associated with foul odours, but ironically many <strong>of</strong><br />

the sweetest compounds known are organosulfur derivatives. Nature abounds with<br />

organosulfur compounds—sulfur is essential for life. Two <strong>of</strong> the 20 common amino<br />

acids are organosulfur compounds. Fossil fuels, coal, petroleum, and natural gas,<br />

which are derived from ancient organisms, necessarily contain organosulfur<br />

compounds, the removal <strong>of</strong> which is a major focus <strong>of</strong> oil refineries.<br />

Not all organosulfur compounds are foul-smelling pollutants. Compounds like allicin<br />

(chart 1) and ajoene (chart 2) are responsible for the odor <strong>of</strong> garlic, and lenthionine<br />

contributes to the flavor <strong>of</strong> shiitake mushrooms. Many <strong>of</strong> these natural products also<br />

7

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