Plum seeds

Anelli et al. (1971) studied 27 cultivars of plum grown in Tuscany, Italy. The oil was extracted from the dried seeds in a soxhlet apparatus with petroleum ether. The oil content of the dry seeds ranged from 25 to 53%. Neubeller and Buchloh (1970) reported an oil content of 44% in plum seeds and Luthra et al. (1980) reported 31% oil on the dry basis. Kamel and Kakuda (1992) report similar values and give production statistics for Canada and the United States. 

Zdmykovskaya, A. I. Nurture of plum seed embryos derived from secondary (autumnal) flowering Agrobiology. 1954, Nad. P. 39-45. (in Russian). 

Benzaldehyde Cyanohydrin. This cyanohydrin, also known as mandelonitrile [532-28-5] is a yellow, oily Hquid, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol and diethyl ether. Mandelonitrile is a component of the glycoside amygdalin [29883-15-6] a precursor of laetdle [1332-94-7] found in the leaves and seeds on most Prunus species (plum, peach, apricot, etc). In 1832, mandelonitrile was the first cyanohydrin to be synthesized. 

Recent work [64] by Kiljunen and Kanerva has been directed towards the search for novel sources of (R)-oxynitrilases which may transform bulky aryl aldehydes. For this purpose whole cell preparations (called meal) from apple seeds and cherry, apricot and plum pips were tested for their (R)-cyanohydrin activity. In this study a comparison of almond and apple meal showed that they possess similar properties for the formation of the (R)-stereogenic centre. However, in certain cases higher enantioselectivity was observed using the apple meal preparation. Additionally, apple meal (R)-Hnl has also been applied to transform ketones into their corresponding cyanohydrins [65] thus creating a wider repertoire of substrates for this latest of (R)-Hnls. Thus it has only recently been shown that apple meal (R)-oxynitrilase is now an additional member of the (R)-Hnl family. 

Auxins have set several many-seeded fruits such as tomato, but have failed to set single-seeded fruit. Gibberellin has set many-seeded fruits, and Crane, Primer, and Campbell (14) showed that it can also set single-seeded fruits such as peach, almond, and plum. 

Pasquini, G., Simeone, A. M., Conte, L., and Barba, M. (1998) Detection of plum pox virus in apricot seeds. Acta Virol. 42,260-263. 

The Romans used cyanide from natural seed sources, such as apple seeds, for executions and suicides. The seeds of apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, and some other fruits contain sources of cyanide. Other natural sources of cyanide include arrowgrass, sorghum, flax, velvet grass, and white clover. 

V. Drupaceous Fruits (Succulent fruits in which the mesocarp is more or less succulent, but the endocarp leathery or stony).— A Drupe is a one-celled, one-seeded drupaceous fruit such as the fruit of the Plum, Peach, Prune, Sabal, Rhus, Piper, Cherry, etc., whose endocarp or putamen is composed wholly of stone cells or stone cells and sclerenchyma fibers. Fig. 103 (i). 

In addition, cyanides can be found in the seeds of the apple, peach, plum, apricot, cherry, and almond in the form of amygdatin, a cyanogenic glycoside. Amygdatin (Laetrile) has been used as an... 

Lunch draws a well-dressed crowd of yuppies and professors. The Morning Star salad is colorfully presented with romaine lettuce, apple, cottage and white cheddar chesses, sprouts, shredded carrots, raisins, cashews and sunflower seeds. House umeboshi plum dressing - Japanese plums, oil, egg and herbs - is served on the side. The sprouted mushroom sandwich is a nice cross between a hot and cold sandwich - warm sauteed mushrooms, avocado, cheddar, Parmesan, and a healthy dose of sprouts with a cool cucumber-dill dressing on whole wheat sunflower bread. 

Benzaldehyde is a colorless liquid which boils at 179 °C and has a bitter almond taste and smell. It is found in the seeds of almonds, plums and peaches together with glucose and HCN. 

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