Rosaceae amygdalin

Amygdalin is present in bitter almonds, the seeds of Primus dulcis var. amara (DC.) Buchheim, and ripe apricot kernels, Prunus armeniaca L. (Rosaceae). The press cake, which remains after removal of the fatty oils, is macerated with water and left to stand for several hours, after which the essential oil is separated by steam distillation. The crude oil contains 2-4% hydrogen cyanide, which is removed by washing with alkaline solutions of iron(II) salts. Subsequent redistillation yields an oil free from hydrogen cyanide. It is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with an intense, almond-like, cherry aroma and a slightly astringent, mild taste. 

A widely distributed group of cyanohydrin glycosides in plants the best known example is amygdalin (man-delonitrile gentiobioside, glucoprunasin), crystalline powder like most aromatic C. G. it occurs mainly in the seeds of Rosaceae (stone fruits) such as cherries, peaches, apricots, plums, apples, and bitter almonds (see Table, p. 163). 

Amygdalin Bitter almonds, kernels of peach, cherries, plruns, apples and fmits of Rosaceae Benzaldehyde... 

One of the earliest known glycosides is amygdalin, the effective principle of oil of bitter almonds. Most plants belonging to Rosaceae (apricot,... 

Amygdalin occurs in the seeds of Rosaceae -bitter almonds, peach, and apricot seeds. It has been suggested as an anti-cancer drug, and has been used in some countries to treat cancers. There, however, is no hard data to substantiate its effectiveness in such treatments. 

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