β-cyano-L-Alanine

β-cyano-L-Alanine (Beta-cyano-l-alanine), a nitrile of widespread occurrence in higher plants, is enzymatically produced by cyanoalanine synthase from cyanide and cysteine as substrates[1]. β-cyano-L-Alanine abolishes the protective effect of ethanol on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury[2].