Apricot kernels
Encyclopedia
An apricot
kernel (Prunus armeniaca, "Armenian plum" in Latin) refers to the kernel
of a species of Prunus
, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus. It is known for containing amygdalin
, a toxic cyanogenic glycoside.
Seeds or kernels of the apricot grown in central Asia
and around the Mediterranean are so sweet that they may be substituted for almond
s. The Italian liqueur amaretto
and amaretti biscotti
are flavored with extract of apricot kernels as well as almonds. Oil pressed from these cultivars has been used as cooking oil
.
Apricot kernels can sometimes be strong-tasting and bitter. They feature in recipes for apricot jam, and Italian amaretto
cookies and liqueur. Taken in excess, they may produce symptoms of cyanide poisoning
, including nausea
, fever
, rash
, headaches, insomnia
, increased thirst
, weakness, lethargy, nervousness
, various aches and pains in joints and muscles, a drop in blood pressure
.
In 1993, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets tested the cyanide content of two (8oz) packages of apricot kernels that were imported from Pakistan which were being sold in health-food stores as a snack. The results showed that each package, if consumed entirely, contained at least double the minimum lethal dosage of cyanide for an adult human. The apricot pits were recalled and removed from stores.
In spite of this, there were no USA deaths and only one serious toxicity from apricot kernels reported from 1979 to 1998. On average, an apricot kernel contains about 0.5 mg of cyanide.
Apricot
The apricot, Prunus armeniaca, is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus. The native range is somewhat uncertain due to its extensive prehistoric cultivation.- Description :...
kernel (Prunus armeniaca, "Armenian plum" in Latin) refers to the kernel
Seed
A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...
of a species of Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of trees and shrubs, which includes the plums, cherries, peaches, apricots and almonds. There are around 430 species spread throughout the northern temperate regions of the globe. Many members of the genus are widely cultivated for fruit and ornament.-Botany:Members of the genus...
, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus. It is known for containing amygdalin
Amygdalin
Amygdalin , C20H27NO11, is a glycoside initially isolated from the seeds of the tree Prunus dulcis, also known as bitter almonds, by Pierre-Jean Robiquet...
, a toxic cyanogenic glycoside.
Seeds or kernels of the apricot grown in central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
and around the Mediterranean are so sweet that they may be substituted for almond
Almond
The almond , is a species of tree native to the Middle East and South Asia. Almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree...
s. The Italian liqueur amaretto
Amaretto
Amaretto is an Italian sweet almond-flavoured liqueur. It is made from a base of apricot or almond pits, sometimes both.-Etymology:The name is a diminutive of the Italian amaro, meaning "bitter," indicating the distinctive flavour lent by the mandorla amara--the bitter almond or the drupe kernel...
and amaretti biscotti
Biscotti
Biscotti more correctly known as biscotti di Prato , also known as cantuccini , are twice-baked biscuits originating in the Italian city of Prato...
are flavored with extract of apricot kernels as well as almonds. Oil pressed from these cultivars has been used as cooking oil
Cooking oil
Cooking oil is purified fat of plant origin, which is usually liquid at room temperature ....
.
Apricot kernels can sometimes be strong-tasting and bitter. They feature in recipes for apricot jam, and Italian amaretto
Amaretto
Amaretto is an Italian sweet almond-flavoured liqueur. It is made from a base of apricot or almond pits, sometimes both.-Etymology:The name is a diminutive of the Italian amaro, meaning "bitter," indicating the distinctive flavour lent by the mandorla amara--the bitter almond or the drupe kernel...
cookies and liqueur. Taken in excess, they may produce symptoms of cyanide poisoning
Cyanide poisoning
Cyanide poisoning occurs when a living organism is exposed to a compound that produces cyanide ions when dissolved in water. Common poisonous cyanide compounds include hydrogen cyanide gas and the crystalline solids potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide...
, including nausea
Nausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
, fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
, rash
Rash
A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered, swell and may be painful. The causes, and...
, headaches, insomnia
Insomnia
Insomnia is most often defined by an individual's report of sleeping difficulties. While the term is sometimes used in sleep literature to describe a disorder demonstrated by polysomnographic evidence of disturbed sleep, insomnia is often defined as a positive response to either of two questions:...
, increased thirst
Thirst
Thirst is the craving for fluids, resulting in the basic instinct of animals to drink. It is an essential mechanism involved in fluid balance. It arises from a lack of fluids and/or an increase in the concentration of certain osmolites, such as salt...
, weakness, lethargy, nervousness
Anxiety
Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. The root meaning of the word anxiety is 'to vex or trouble'; in either presence or absence of psychological stress, anxiety can create feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness,...
, various aches and pains in joints and muscles, a drop in blood pressure
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies...
.
In 1993, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets tested the cyanide content of two (8oz) packages of apricot kernels that were imported from Pakistan which were being sold in health-food stores as a snack. The results showed that each package, if consumed entirely, contained at least double the minimum lethal dosage of cyanide for an adult human. The apricot pits were recalled and removed from stores.
In spite of this, there were no USA deaths and only one serious toxicity from apricot kernels reported from 1979 to 1998. On average, an apricot kernel contains about 0.5 mg of cyanide.
Nutritional content
- Calories from fat: 100
- Cholesterol: 0 mg