Screening test for amygdalin in tablets, solutions, powders, and seeds

A rapid screening test for detecting amygdalin in tablets, solutions, powders, and seeds, based on the liberation of both hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde as a result of enzymatic decomposition, is described. The procedure can be easily performed outside the laboratory with small amounts of sample; the samples require no special preparation or pretreatment. The test can be performed in less than or equal to 60 min and is sensitive to at least 0.2 mg amygdalin. Vicianin, lucumin, prunasin, and sambunigrin would also given positive tests, but instrumental analysis can be used to distinguish amygdalin from these compounds.