Cyanogenic glycosides, amygdalin

N.A. Cydonia oblonga Mill. Tannins, pectin, mucilage, cyanogenic glycosides, amygdalin, fixed oil, tannins.99 For diarrhea, mouthwash, gargle to treat canker sores, gum problems, and sore throat. 

Bitter varieties of almonds Prunus dulcis), formerly marketed as a supplement for persons with cancer, also contain the cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin (0.2% cyanide), while commonly consumed sweet varieties of almonds have only trace amounts of the compound (Dicenta et al. 2002). Concerns listed for bitter apricot also apply to bitter almond (Shragg et al. 1982). 

Capillary electrophoresis has been applied to the analysis of enzymically glucosylated flavonoids and of monosaccharides from glycosaminoglycans, using UV detection and indirect laser-induced fluorescence detection, respectively, and the separation of the cyanogenic glycosides amygdalin and prunasin from their isomers has been achieved by a micellar capillary electrophoresis method. ... 

Four cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin, linamarin, prunasin, mandelonitrile) were extracted from apricots and separated on a C g column (2 = 200 nm or pulsed amperometric detection, ] = 0.00 V for 240 ms, = 0.60 V for 60 ms, ) = —0.80 V for 60 ms). For the amperometric analysis, a 0.5 M NaOH solution was fed into the effluent postcolumn. An isocratic 12 min 82/12 water/acetonitrile run or an 8-min 100/0- 40/60 water/acetonitrile gradient was used [1259]. Baseline resolution was achieved using the gradient... 

Almonds which contain the cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin (cf. 16.2.6) are scalded, peeled and then debittered by leaching with flowing water. The HCN content decreases by 80% in 24 h and the water content in the almonds increases to 38%. An extension of the process reduces the HCN content only slightly. 

Inhibition of cytochromes of electron transport system can be caused by cyanogenic glycosides, such as amygdalin (Fig. 11.14) in bitter almonds, Prunus amygdalus, linamarin and lotaustralin in clover and birdsfoot trefoil, or dhurrin (Fig. 11.14) in Sorghum vulgare. The potent effect of cyanide on cell respiration has given rise to a recent serious conservation problem. In Southeast Asia, divers stun fish on coral reefs with a blast of cyanide to collect them for the aquarium trade. In the process, many fish are killed and the corals bleached, because their symbionts die (e.g. Payne, 2001). 

Cyanogenic glycosides, particularly amygdalin and prunasin, are found in the kernels of apricots, bitter almonds, cherries, plums and peaches. The following are a few other sources of cyanogenic glycosides. 

The extracts of plants that contain cyanogenic glycosides are used as flavouring agents in many pharmaceutical preparations. Amygdalin has been used in the treatment of cancer (HCN liberated in stomach kills malignant cells), and also as a cough suppressant in various preparations. 

N.A. Amygdalin, prussic acid, cyanogenic glycoside, lactrile, hydrocyanic acid." Kernel is toxic. Treat coughs, asthma, wheezing, and excessive mucus, constipation. Treat cancer. 

N.A. Prunus americana Marsh. Amygdalin, cyanogenic glycoside, laetrile, hydrocyanic acid, tannins.99 Treats cancer, coughs, asthma, and wheezing. 

At one time amygdalin, sold as Laetrile, was promoted as a treatment for cancer, presumably based on the hope that the cancer cells would be poisoned by the released cyanide.1 The tubers and leaves of the cassava plant provide a major source of food in many tropical countries. However, unless the cyanogenic glycosides are removed by boiling the tubers and pulping the leaves cassava is... 

B 7 Amygdalin (laetrile), a cyanogenic glycoside with no physiological function Be Obsolete name for folic acid... 

Nahrstedt, A., Sattar, E.A. and El-Zalabani, S.M.H. (1990) Amygdalin acyl derivatives cyanogenic glycosides from the seeds oi Merremia dissecta. Phytochemistry, 29, 1179-82. 

Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside found in apricot, peach, and similar fruit pits and in sweet almonds (Sayre and Kaymakcalan,... 

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