On 15 Sep 2005 08:36:24 -0700, "Cat(h)" wrote:


Chris Hogg wrote:

Quote from http://www.aboutmead.com/resources/m...9/12-01-99.txt

"Apple seeds average around 0.6 mg hydrogen cyanide (HCN) per gram of
dry seed. Since the lethal dose of HCN is estimated to be about 50 mg,
you need around 85 grams (3 ounces) of dry seeds. This is around half
a cup"

Whether the figures are correct, and whether it takes 40 apple pips to
half-fill a cup, I don't know, but it does suggest that eating a
particularly large number could be lethal.

However, seeds (and leaves) of many prunus species (almonds are the
obvious example) and other rosaceae (such as apples, as here) contain
cyanide precursors. It's what gives almonds their distinct flavour.
But, as with apple pips, you do have to eat rather a lot to be at
risk.



Gasp! I'm one of those apple fiends who eats around 3 to 4 apples each
day pips and all - first of the day chopped up in morning porridge -
(only uneaten residue for compost heap being the little stem).
Is the effect of the HCN cumulative?
Could it explain all sorts of ermm things?
Seriously... should I core my apples?

Cat(h)
The world swirls...

If you're still alive and not posting from 'the other side', I
wouldn't give it another thought. OTOH, if you are on 'the other
side', it's too late! :-)


--
Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net