Consider the following pairs (Compound – Source):

Question

Consider the following pairs (Compound – Source):

1. Chocolate – Phenylethylamine

2. Oysters – Aspartic acid

3. Spanish Fly – Formic acid

4. Nutmeg – Myristicin.

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. A. 2, 3 and 4
2. B. 1, 3 and 4
3. C. 1, 2 and 3
4. D. 1, 2 and 4 (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — 1, 2 and 4

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 4.

Key Points

• Pairs 1 (Chocolate–Phenylethylamine), 2 (Oysters–Aspartic acid), and 4 (Nutmeg–Myristicin) are correctly matched.
• Pair 3 is wrong: Spanish Fly (Lytta vesicatoria) contains cantharidin, not formic acid.

Additional Information

• Spanish Fly owes its effect to cantharidin, secreted by blister beetles — not formic acid, which is the compound in ant venom and stinging nettles.
• Myristicin in nutmeg is psychoactive in large doses, which is why nutmeg is used only in small culinary quantities.
• Phenylethylamine in chocolate is often called the "love drug" because it is also released in the brain during emotional arousal.