Poisoning from fruit kernels

Poisoning, particularly in children, from the consumption of the kernels of various fruits is not an uncommon occurrence (39). The seeds of such fruits as the apricot, peach, cherry, plum, and almonds are known to contain cyanogenetic glycosides in which the aglycone is D-mandelo-nitrile (40) as exemplified by amygdalin whose structure is shown in Figure 8. Amygdalin itself is harmless as such, but when the seed is crushed and the pulp moistened, enzymatic hydrolysis rapidly ensues with the concomitant release of HCN. 

Cashew nuts are native to the West Indies and over the last 40 years have become one of the world s most popular nuts. They are grown in Brazil and Africa, and most of those imported into the United States are from India. They belong to the poison ivy family and the fruit (apple) contains an irritating poison that must be removed by boiling or roasting as the first step in processing. From this the edible kernel is recovered. 

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