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. 2013 Sep 19:2013:610648.
doi: 10.1155/2013/610648. eCollection 2013.

Potential Toxic Levels of Cyanide in Almonds (Prunus amygdalus), Apricot Kernels (Prunus armeniaca), and Almond Syrup

Nadia Chaouali  1 , Ines Gana, Amira Dorra, Fathia Khelifi, Anouer Nouioui, Wafa Masri, Ines Belwaer, Hayet Ghorbel, Abderazzek Hedhili
Affiliations

Potential Toxic Levels of Cyanide in Almonds (Prunus amygdalus), Apricot Kernels (Prunus armeniaca), and Almond Syrup

Nadia Chaouali et al. ISRN Toxicol. .

Abstract

Under normal environmental conditions, many plants synthesize cyanogenic glycosides, which are able to release hydrogen cyanide upon hydrolysis. Each year, there are frequent livestock and occasional human victims of cyanogenic plants consumption. The present work aims to determine the hydrocyanic acid content in different samples of cyanogenic plants, selected from the Tunisian flora, and in the almond syrup. In order to evaluate their toxicity and their impact on the consumer health in the short term as well as in the long term, using the ISO 2164-1975 NT standard, relating to the determination of cyanogenic heterosides in leguminous plants.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of cyanide on cellular respiration: Cyanide reversibly binds to the ferric ion in cytochrome oxidase a3 within the mitochondria, effectively halting cellular respiration by blocking the reduction of oxygen to water. ATP: adenosine triphosphate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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