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Cyanide Content in Raw Seeds, Kernels and Juices Commonly Found in Health Food Stores.
Adriana Baker, Douglas B. Sims, James Stordock, Ryan Taggart
College of Southern Nevada, Department of Physical Sciences
Abstract
Cyanide occurs naturally in avariety of plants in the
form of cyanogenic glycosides, a secondary
metabolites consisting of an α-hydroxynitrile and a
sugar moiety. An assortment of fruit kernels (apple,
grape, plum and peach), flax seeds and raw almonds
were analyzed for CN-content. The highest
concentration was detected in plum seeds (96 mg kg-
1)followed by flax, peach, almonds and aselection of
apple seeds (78,70, 2.89,39averaged mg kg-1,
respectively).Studies show that as little as 0.5-3.5
mg CN-per 1kg of body weight can cause acute CN-
poisoning in the average person.Flax seeds for
instance, are being consumed for their benefits of
omega-3 acids, antioxidants and fiber. A person of
an average body weight (~70 kg) can be impacted by
consuming 0.45 to 3.16 kg of flax seeds. With
increasing demand of raw and natural foods, a
quantitative analysis of CN-is crucial in
understanding and preventing poisoning through
nutrition.
Conclusion
CN-was found in a variety of seeds and kernels widely
pushed in health foods.With the interest in juicing and
raw seeds / nuts a more in-depth study of the short-
term as well as long term (chronic) effects CN-has on
the human body is necessary.Chronic exposure has a
great potential to effect the body overtime including
unborn babies.
Results
CN-was detected in all fruits and seeds except for grape
seeds, there was no detected levels of CN-.Plum seeds
contained the highest concentration (96.08 mg kg-1)
followed by flax seeds, (77.53 mg kg-1), peach seeds
(69.53 mg kg-1), plum seeds (49.01 mg kg-1), red
delicious apple seeds (44.5 mg kg-1), granny smith apple
seeds (38.27 mg kg-1), gala apple seeds (22.52 mg kg-1),
and almonds (2.89 mg kg-1).
Acute CN-poisoning occurs at aconcentration of 0.5-3.5
mg kg-1 of body weight according to Bolarinwa et al.,
(2013). Even though, a person would have to consume
between 0.4 and 4 kg of flax seeds to reach acute CN-
poisoning, the long term effects of small dose intakes
are not well documented but should be a concern.Most
studies evaluated acute impacts rather then chronic
exposure.
Introduction
Raw and nature foods such as seeds and nuts have
become a big part of human nutrition with almost
40%of adults consuming nuts on a daily basis (Kit et
al., 2014). Some ads even boast of there benefits to
the body. Linked to increasing popularity of juicing
apple seeds, along with other seeds and kernels
make their way into healthy shakes, smoothies and
juices.There has even been cases of CN-poising of
people who ingest larger portions of raw almonds
(Shragg et al., 1982). For this study, fruits and seeds
were purchased form Sprouts, aLas Vegas health
food grocery store.
Methods
Distillation under acidic condition and colorimetry
were used, following method 9012B and 9014.CN-
from seeds was absorbed in agas scrubber using
NaOH solution, then treated with Chloramine-T and
pyridine-barbituric acid.The solution was analyzed
UV absorption with aHACH colorimetry instrument
under 578 nm wavelength.
Acknowledgements
Facility support was provided by the College of Southern Nevada, Department of Physical Sciences
Selected References
Bolarinwa, I., Orfila, C., Morgan, M., 2013. Amygdalin content of seeds, kernels and food products commercially-available in the UK. School of food science and nutrition, University of Leeds LS2 9JT,
United Kingdom
Kit, B., Nielsen, S., Ogden, S., 2014. Nut consumption among U.S. adults, 2009–2010. NCHS Data Brief No. 176. Centers for disease control and prevention.