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Many plants contain cyanic glucoside (cyanide sugars) in their leaves and other structures to discourage herbivores and insects from eating them. In digestion, the compound is converted to cyanide gas, can lead to swift asphyxiation by disrupting the conversion of oxygen to energy within cells. A well-nourished person can detoxify small amounts of cyanide during digestion.

Some common foods contain cyanic glucosides, including garden beans and peas; tapioca (cassava); and members of the rose family, especially bitter almond, peach and apricot, along with cherry, loquat, and apple. The flesh of these fruits (the part we eat) does not contain the cyanide, though the seeds do; this is why we are warned against eating apple seeds, for instance. In general one would need to chew and eat an unusual quantity of the seeds to produce a toxic effect. If they were not chewed, the seeds would likely pass through the digestive tract without harm.

Cassava root must be specially processed (by drying and washing) to remove the cyanide prior to consumption. Contact with water removes the cyanide from the food and releases it into the air.

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Can the cyanide in apple seeds be boiled out?

No, boiling apple seeds will not remove cyanide as it is not a substance that can be cooked or boiled out. Cyanide is a natural component of apple seeds and is not affected by heat. It is recommended to avoid consuming apple seeds in large quantities.


Which seeds have cyanide on them?

Seeds that contain cyanide include apple seeds, apricot pits, cherry pits, and peach pits. These seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide in the body when ingested. It's important to avoid consuming these seeds in large quantities to prevent cyanide poisoning.


What chemical does apple seeds produce?

Apple seeds contain a cyonogenic chemical that when it reaches your stomach, it reacts with the enzymes and releases hydrogen cyanide, which is very toxic. (This is the same for cherry pits, I think)


Are peach seeds toxic?

Yes, peach seeds contain amygdalin, a compound that can break down into cyanide in the body. Ingesting large amounts of peach seeds can be toxic and potentially fatal. It is recommended to avoid consuming peach seeds.


How many apple seeds are needed to equate 1 mg of Hydrogen Cyanide nitriloside laetrile or otherwise called vitamin b 17?

It is estimated that around 700 apple seeds would be needed to provide the equivalent amount of cyanide found in 1 mg of pure cyanide compounds like amygdalin (laetrile, vitamin B17). However, the amount of cyanide in apple seeds can vary widely based on factors like the variety of apple and its size, so this number is only a rough estimate. It's important to note that consuming large amounts of apple seeds or products containing amygdalin can be toxic and potentially lethal.

Related Questions

Cyanide is historically found in the following EXCEPT Gold and silver mining operations seeds of plants teflon or burning plastics.?

Cyanide is historically found in the following: Gold and silver mining operations Burning plastics Cyanide is not found in the seeds of plants or Teflon.


Is cyanide man-made or natural?

Cyanide can be found in nature in various plants and seeds, but it is also produced synthetically for industrial purposes. The most common forms of cyanide used in industry are made through chemical processes.


How can one safely remove cyanide from apple seeds?

To safely remove cyanide from apple seeds, you can soak the seeds in water for a few hours to leach out the cyanide. Then, thoroughly rinse the seeds before consuming them. It's important to note that apple seeds should be consumed in moderation due to their cyanide content.


Can the cyanide in apple seeds be boiled out?

No, boiling apple seeds will not remove cyanide as it is not a substance that can be cooked or boiled out. Cyanide is a natural component of apple seeds and is not affected by heat. It is recommended to avoid consuming apple seeds in large quantities.


Which seeds have cyanide on them?

Seeds that contain cyanide include apple seeds, apricot pits, cherry pits, and peach pits. These seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide in the body when ingested. It's important to avoid consuming these seeds in large quantities to prevent cyanide poisoning.


Is cyanide found in teflon seeds of plants burning plastics or gold and silver mining operations?

Cyanide can be found in gold and silver mining operations as it is commonly used to extract these metals from ores. However, cyanide is not naturally present in Teflon or in burning plastics.


Do watermelon seeds contain cyanide?

Watermelon seeds do contain a compound called amygdalin, which can produce cyanide when metabolized by the body. However, the amount of cyanide produced from eating watermelon seeds is very small and not harmful to humans in normal quantities.


Can cyanide still kill if in water?

it depends on the ratio of concentration of water to cyanide. it needs to be concentrated to be lethal. for example apple seeds contain cyanide but even if you chew all the seeds in an apple you won't get anything because the concentration of cyanide is low.


Do apples contain cyanide?

Yes there is cyanide in apple seeds but it would take many to kill you.


Do pomegranate fruit seeds contain cyanide?

I hope not


Do apple seeds contain arsenic?

Apple seeds do NOT contain arsenic, they contain cyanide.


What eats apple seeds?

Some animals avoid eating apple seeds (or "pips") as they contain a cyanide called hydrogen cyanide (HCN). For humans, our body can detoxify the cyanide in low amounts. It would take a considerable amount of apple seeds to cause harm.