Determination of Amygdalin content in trade stone fruits and its biological activity in cultured cancer cells

Janatová, M.: Determination of amygdalin content in trade stone fruits and its biological activity in cultured cancer cells. Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Ecology, Hradec Králové 2015, pp.74 Stone fruits from tribe Amygdaleae of Rosaceae family are known for their antioxidant activity and amount of nutrients and vitamins. Their seeds are connected with content of cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin and their possible effect on inhibition of cancer cells growing. The aim of study is to quantitatively analyze amount of amygdalin in extracts of trade stone fruit seeds (apricots, almonds, plums, cherries, sour cherries, peaches) and one dietary supplement B17 APRICARC®. Kernels were extracted in methanol by Soxhlet extractor and subsequently analyzed by TLC and by reverse phase HPLC with UV detection on 214-215 nm wavelength. The highest concentration of amygdalin was found in apricot seeds during their ripeness with the median value 79.59 mg/g of seeds. On the other hand, in sweet almonds and apricots from Pakistan was not detected any amount. The enzymatic hydrolysis by β-glucosidase and degradation of amygdalin was studied in vitro and analyzed by reverse- phase High performance liquid chromatography (rp-HPLC). Anticancer..