Tears come when peeling onions, because onions expel?
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Tears come when peeling onions, because onions expel sulfenic acid
Onions spew enzymes and sulfenic acid when their skin is broken. These compounds combine to produce propanethial S-oxide, an irritating gas. Propanethial S-oxide is a lachrymatory agent, meaning that it generates tears when it touches the eye.
Tears form when peeling onions due to the release of sulfur compounds. Onions contain sulfur-containing compounds like syn-propanethial-S-oxide. When onions are cut or peeled, enzymes break down these compounds, releasing volatile sulfur gases. These gases react with the moisture in our eyes to form sulfuric acid, causing irritation and tears.
Crying when peeling an onion is known as ‘reflex tearing’. When we cut the onion it releases fumes. When eyes come in contact with the “fumes”, the body automatically responds and produces aqueous tears to flush out the toxins from your eyes.