Apricot oil

Traditionally, apricot oil is incorporated in cosmetic and perfume products such as soaps and creams. 

Gutfinger, T. and Letan, A. (1973) Detection of adulteration of almond oil with apricot oil through determination of tocopherols. J. Agric. Food Chem., 21, 1120-1123. 

The apricot flesh is very sweet, with the seed kernels regarded the best part of the fruit, tasting sweet and oily, very much like almonds. (It may be noted that the apricot is of the genus Prunus of the plant family Rosaceae, as are peaches and almonds.) Apricot oil is squeezed out under pressure from the ground flour or meal and looks much like ohve oil. A spoonful may be taken as needed, and the oil is also used for deep-frying. Other uses include external apphcations, and it is also mentioned that the oil will even shine silverware. (The preceding information indicates that the apricot kernels are utilized raw, without roasting.)... 

It is stated that the apricots are eaten fresh or dried, and the seeds are cracked open to yield the almondlike nuts. The dried fruit is sweet and soft, but it does not keep well, though it lasts through the winter. It is also mentioned that the sweet apricot nuts are eaten as is, but the bitter apricot nuts are ground, followed by squeezing out of the highly poisonous apricot oil, which is used for fuel in saucer lamps equipped with a cotton wick. 

A rash of very sore stomachs among the Hunzas prompted Clark to investigate (Clark, 1956, p. 181). It was found that the Hunzas were flavoring their wine with bitter apricot oil, so Clark tried some himself and wound up with a terrible stomach ache. It was concluded that those who use prussic acid for bitters must expect a little gastric distress. ... 

Powders containing trace metals like iridium and rhodium occur naturally. For example, flax, almond and apricot oils and grape juice contain both of these elements. Moreover, there is some evidence that carrots and aloe grown in volcanic soil have detectable monatomic rhodium and iridium. Those grown in non-volcanic soil have no natural monatomic elements. 

RC0NH(CH2)3N(CH3)2CH2CH3rCH3CH20S03 , where RCO- rep. fatty acids derived from apricot oil... 

Propanaminium, 3-amino-N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-, N-tallow acyl derivs., hydroxides, inner salts. See Tallowamidopropyl betaine 1 -Propanaminium, 3-amino-N-ethyl-N,N-dimethyl-, N-apricot oil acyl derivs., ethyl sulfates. See Apricotamidopropyl... 

The other significant production method for natural benzaldehyde involves the steam distillation of bitter almond oil which has been derived from the kernels of fmit such as apricots, peaches, cherries, plums, or pmnes. The benzaldehyde product obtained in this fashion is claimed to have a superior flavor profile. The use of peach and apricot pits to produce the more profitable product laettile apparently affects the supply available to natural benzaldehyde producers. 

Oil of bitter almonds is obtained from the ketiiels (seeds) of the ordinary blilei almond, P/iiiiii.i. T/iygdahis i.imyguulus commimis), a trse which is cultivated in F.urope, Asia. Northern. Africa, and California. The kernels of the peach and apricot yield cssenttal oils which are practically identical with that from the alraond, and many sample of almond oil " of commerce are no doubt derived froni peach and... 

Apricot kernel oil, cosmetically useful lipid, 7 833t... 

Mean urine and fecal losses of calcium of subjects while receiving the three test fats are shown on Table II. Apparent calcium absorptions and calcium balances were calculated from this data. Mean fecal calcium losses when safflower oil, soybean oil and apricot kernal oil were fed were 460, 500 and 520 mg/day. With a probability of only P<0.10, these difference were not statistically significant although a strong trend toward increased fecal calcium losses with degree of saturatedness of the dietary fat was shown. Thus, a trend toward increase in calcium absorption with more polyunsaturated fats was illustrated. Coupled with changes in... 

Apricot kernal oil 5 71 23 886a 232a 520a 58.7a 41.3a 134b... 

Tucker (5), however, in 1936 demonstrated that oxidation products, formed in the oil after removal of unsaturates, caused serious toxic effects on apricot leaves. 

These herbs are moist in nature and are particularly used for moistening the dryness of the intestines and treating mild constipation. Huo Ma Ren and Yu Li Ren are seeds and contain oil that can moisten the intestines and relieve the dryness. They are often used together to enhance each other s function. Xing Ren is the seed of apricot and has a similar function to the first two herbs. However, it also has a dispersing tendency. As it can ascend the Lung-Qi, it can activate Qi movement in the Large Intestine. 

The major dietary sources of retinol are dairy products, eggs and liver, while important sources of /3-carotene are spinach and other dark-green leafy vegetables, deep orange fruits (apricots, cantaloupe) and vegetables (squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin). The richest natural sources of vitamin A are fish liver oils, particularly halibut and shark. 

There are a number of minor oils, all of high value, most of which are marketed mainly either for medical purposes or for their flavour. Olive, evening primrose, borage, fish oils and cocoa butter are described elsewhere. Others include hazelnut, walnut, macadamia, almond, apricot, pumpkin, poppy-seed and rice bran oils. The process of testing for authenticity of these oils should be approached in the same way as for the bulk oils above, i.e. fatty acid profile, sterols, tocopherols and triglyceride composition. However, there is little generally available published material on the ranges of values to be expected... 

Filsoof, M., Mehran, M. and Farrohi, F. (1976) Determination and comparison of oil in Iranian almond, apricot and peach nuts. Fette Seif. Anstrichm., 78, 150-151. 

Lazos, E.S. (1991) Composition and oil characteristics of apricot, peach, and cherry kernels. Grasas Aceites, 42, 127-131. 

Salvo, F., Dugo, G., Stago d Alcontres, I., Corroneo, A. and Dugo, G. (1980) Composition of almond oil. 2. Distinction of sweet almond oil from blends with peach and apricot seed oil. Riv. Ital. Sost. Grasse, 57, 24—26. 

It is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids its main components are oleic acid (up to 62%) and linoleic acid (up to 31%) with palmitic (up to 5%) and others, in order of descending amount stearic, palmitoleic and linolenic acids. There are no known reports of toxic effects from the oil, however, the apricot kernels are poisonous if ingested and have been reported to cause contact dermatitis. 

Amyl Propionate FEMA No. 2082 Isoamyl Propionate 144.21/C8H1602/ ch3ch2cooc5h colorless liq/ fruity, apricot-pineapple v—ale, most fixed oils ins—gly, prop glycol, water/ 160° 1 mL in 3 mL 70% ale... 

There are also natural products that contain cyanide, for example the plant cassava (see pp. 255-6) and various fruit kernels such as almonds, apricots, and apples. Oil of bitter almonds, which is used in cooking, contains enough cyanide to be lethal, and people have committed suicide by drinking it. 

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