amygdalin

amygdalin

 [ah-mig´dah-lin]

a glycoside from kernels and pits of bitter almonds, apricots, cherries, peaches, and apples, as well as certain other plant parts. Crushed and moistened residues release an enzyme that catalyzes a chemical reaction leading to release of hydrogen cyanide, so that excessive ingestion can be toxic. Preparations of amygdalin have been alleged to be anticancer agents, but this has never been scientifically proven. See also laetrile.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

a·myg·da·lin

(ă-mig'dă-lin),

A cyanogenic glucoside present in almonds and seeds of other plants of the family Rosaceae; the principal component of laetrile. Emulsin splits amygdalin into benzaldehyde, d-glucose, and hydrocyanic acid.

Synonym(s): amygdaloside

[G. amygdala, almond, + -in]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

amygdalin

(ə-mĭg′də-lĭn)

n.

A glycoside, C₂₀H₂₇NO₁₁, commonly found in seeds and other plant parts of many members of the rose family, such as kernels of the apricot, peach, and bitter almond, which breaks down into hydrocyanic acid, benzaldehyde, and glucose.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

amygdalin

A beta-cyanogenic glycoside structurally related to the semisynthetic laetrile, which is obtained from the seeds of certain fruits (e.g., Prunus dulcis). Amygdalin has been (incorrectly) used as a synonym for Laetrile.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

amygdalin

A β-cyanogenic glycoside structurally related to the semisynthetic laetrile, derived from the seeds of certain fruits. See Laetrile.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

a·myg·da·lin

(ă-mig'dă-lin)

A cyanogenic glucoside present in almonds and seeds of other plants of the family Rosaceae; the principal component of laetrile. Emulsin splits amygdalin into benzaldehyde, d-glucose, and hydrocyanic acid.

[G. amygdala, almond, + -in]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

amygdalin

A glycoside found in the stones of bitter almonds, from which LAETRILE was isolated.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005