Reduction of Salmonella Enteritidis Population Sizes on Almond Kernels with

Infrared Heat

Catalytic infrared (IR) heating was investigated to determine its effect

on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis population sizes on raw almond kernels.
Using a double-sided catalytic IR heating system, a radiation intensity of 5,458
W/m2 caused a fast temperature increase at the kernel surface and minimal
temperature differences between the top and bottom kernel surfaces. Exposure of
dry kernels to IR heat for 30, 35 and 45 s resulted in maximum kernel surface
temperatures of 90, 102, and 113°C, and when followed by immediate cooling at
room temperature, yielded a 0.63-, 1.03-, and 1.51-log reduction in S.
enterica population sizes, respectively. The most efficacious decontamination
treatment consisted of IR exposure, followed by holding of the kernels at warm
temperature for 60 min, which effected a greater than 7.5-log reduction in S.
enterica on the kernels. During that treatment, the kernel surface temperature rose
to 109°C and gradually decreased to 80°C. Similar IR and holding treatments with
lower maximum kernel surface temperatures of 104 and 100°C yielded reductions
of 5.3 and 4.2 log CFU/g kernel, respectively. During these treatments, moisture
loss from the kernels was minimal and did not exceed 1.06%. Macroscopic
observations suggested that kernel quality was not compromised by the IR-holding
combination treatment, as skin morphology, meat texture, and kernel color were
indistinguishable from those of untreated kernels. Our studies indicate that IR
heating technology is an effective dry pasteurization for raw almonds.

http://www.jfoodprotection.org/doi/abs/10.4315/0362-028X-71.5.897?code=fopr-
site

Characteristics of some almond kernel and oils

The proximate properties, the fatty acid and mineral contents of different almond
kernel varieties were determined. The crude protein contents of kernels ranged
between 12.7% (guara) and 16.3% (cristomorto). The oil yields from these kernels
were established between 48.8% (cristomorto) and 55.7% (ferragnes). The acidity
value of oils were found between 1.389 and 3.559%. In addition, peroxide values
were established between 7.586 (nonpareil) and 15.590 mequiv./kg (cristomorto).
The major fatty acids of almond kernel oils were oleic (72.5–79.9%), linoleic
(13.5–19.8%) and palmitic acids (5.9–6.7%). The predominant mineral in most
kernel was potassium (13.1–15.1 mg/100 g). The mineral contents of the kernels
were established as 7.94–9.38 mg/100 g potassium, 2.9–4.0 mg/100 g magnesium
and 1.84–2.94 mg/100 g calcium. From the results of the present study, it can be
concluded that the kernels of almond varieties are being potential sources of
valuable oil which might be used for edible and other industrial applications.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304423810004917

Survival of Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 on inoculated almond kernels in hot water

treatments
Almonds are blanched by exposure to hot water or steam-injected water to remove
the pellicle (skin) from the kernel. This study evaluated the survival
of SalmonellaEnteritidis PT 30, Salmonella Senftenberg 775W and Enterococcus
faecalis on whole raw almond kernels exposed to hot water. Whole, inoculated (7
to 9 log CFU/g) Nonpareil almonds (40 g) were submerged in 25 L of water
maintained at 60, 70, 80 and 88 °C. Almonds were heated for up to 12 min, drained
for 2 s, and transferred to 80 mL of cold (4 °C) tryptic soy broth. Almonds in broth
were stomached at high speed for 2 min, serially diluted, plated onto tryptic soy
and bismuth sulfite agars (Salmonella) or bile esculin agar (Enterococcus) and
incubated at 37 °C for 24 and 48 h, respectively. D values of 2.6, 1.2, 0.75 and
0.39 min were calculated for exposure of S. Enteritidis PT 30 to water at 60, 70, 80
and 88 °C, respectively; the calculated z value was 35 C°. D values determined
for Salmonella Senftenberg 775W and E. faecalis at 88 °C were 0.37 and 0.36 min,
respectively. Neither Salmonellaserovar could be recovered by enrichment of 1-g
samples after almonds inoculated at 5 log CFU/g were heated at 88 °C for 2 min.
These data will be useful to validate almond industry blanching processes.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996911002079

The “Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc” (Ume) is a Rich Natural Source of Novel
Anti-Cancer Substance

The apricot variety in Japan is “Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc” (Ume). The Japanese
have been growing Ume tree for more than 2000 years because of its health
enhancing effects, and through cultivation, they have improved the Ume tree to
produce healthier fruits. The purpose of this study was to investigate presence of
anti-cancer substances in Ume. One kg Ume was squeezed to separate the soft fruit
from the seed capsules. The soft Ume fraction was boiled at 90°C to 100°C to
obtain 20 g of semi-solid Ume (misatol). The condensed fruit was dissolved in a
water-diethylether. The fraction in diethylether was dried and further fractionated
for experiments. The anti-cancer effects of the Ume were investigated on 2
established cancer cells—the Kato-III stomach cancer and the HL-60
promyelocytic leukaemia cell lines. Kato-III and HL-60 cells were grown in
RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% foetal calf serum. The Ume extract in
dimethyl sulphoxide was added to the cancer cell cultures at 1–10 μL/mL test (1
μL contained 20 μg extract). Without Ume, the cancer cells grew and formed
colonies. When the Ume extract was added, cancer cells were dose dependently
eliminated and at < 5 μL/mL, no cancer cell survived. Similarly, the condensed
Ume showed strong anti-tumour effects on human pancreatic cancer and dog
fibrosarcoma. The Ume preparation showed no toxic effect on normal human
blood cells. In conclusion, this is the first study showing unequivocally presence of
an anti-cancer agent in Ume fruit with both suppressive effect on the growth of
cancer cells and lethal action on the already formed cancer cell colonies. As an
abundant source of natural anti-cancer substance, Ume should have therapeutic
benefit in tumour-bearing patients. Further, regular intake of Ume juice should
suppress cancer initiation in healthy individuals.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10942910600547624

Isolation and Quantitation of Amygdalin in Apricot-kernel and Prunus

Tomentosa Thunb. by HPLC with Solid-Phase Extraction

Apricot-kernel and Prunus Tomentosa Thunb. are traditional Chinese herb

medicines that contain amygdalin as their major effective ingredient. In this report,
three methods for the extraction of amygdalin from the medicinal materials are
compared: ultrasonic extraction by methanol, Soxhlet extraction by methanol, and
reflux extraction by water. The results show that reflux extraction by water
containing 0.1% citric acid is the best option. The optimal reflux time is 2.5 h and
water bath temperature is 60°C. The solid-phase extraction method using C18 and
multiwalled carbon nanotube as adsorbents is established for the pretreatment of
reflux extract, and the result shows that the two adsorbents have greater adsorptive
capacity for amygdalin and good separation effect. In order to quantitate
amygdalin in Apricot-kernel and Prunus Tomentosa Thunb., a reversed-phase high-
performance liquid chromatography method using methanol—water (15:85, for 30
min and pure methanol after 30 min) as mobile phase is developed and a good
result is obtained.

https://academic.oup.com/chromsci/article/43/7/383/384427

Amygdalin

Amygdalin (from Ancient Greek: ἀμυγδαλή amygdálē "almond") is a naturally

occurring chemical compound, famous for falsely being promoted as a cancer cure.
It is found in many plants, but most notably in the seeds (kernels) of apricot, bitter
almonds, apple, peach, and plum.
Amygdalin is classified as a cyanogenic glycoside because each amygdalin
molecule includes a nitrile group, which can be released as the toxic cyanide anion
by the action of a beta-glucosidase: when eaten by people amygdalin releases the
cyanide which poisons them.[1] Neither amygdalin nor laetrile is a vitamin.
Since the early 1950s, both amygdalin and a modified form named laetrile have
been promoted as alternative cancer treatments, often using the misnomer vitamin
B17.[2] But studies have found them to be clinically ineffective in the treatment of
cancer, as well as potentially toxic or lethal when taken by mouth, due to cyanide
poisoning.[3] The promotion of laetrile to treat cancer has been described in the
medical literature as a canonical example of quackery,[4][5] and as "the slickest,
most sophisticated, and certainly the most remunerative cancer quack promotion in
medical history".[2]

Chemistry
Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside derived from the aromatic amino
acid phenylalanine. Amygdalin and prunasin are very common among plants of
the Rosaceae family, particularly the
genus Prunus, Poaceae (grasses), Fabaceae (legumes), and in other food plants,
including linseed and manioc. Within these plants, amygdalin and the enzymes
necessary to hydrolyze them are stored in separate locations so that they will mix
in response to tissue damage. This provides a natural defense system.[6]
Amygdalin is contained in stone fruit kernels, such
as apricot (8%), peach (6%), bitter almond (5%), and plum (2.5%); amygdalin is
also found in the seeds of the apple.[7] The stones are taken out of the fruit and
cracked to obtain the kernels, which are dried in the sun or in ovens. The kernels
are boiled in ethanol; on evaporation of the solution and the addition of diethyl
ether, amygdalin is precipitated as white minute crystals.[8] Natural amygdalin has
the (R)-configuration at the chiral phenyl center. Under mild basic conditions, this
stereogenic center isomerizes; the (S)-epimer is called neoamygdalin. Although
the synthesized version of amygdalin is the (R)-epimer, the stereogenic center
attached to the nitrile and phenyl groups easily epimerizes if the manufacturer does
not store the compound correctly.[9]
Amygdalin is hydrolyzed by intestinal β-
glucosidase (emulsin)[10] and amygdalase to give gentiobiose and L-mandelonitrile.
Gentiobiose is further hydrolyzed to give glucose, whereas the cyanohydrin of
mandelonitrile decomposes to give benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen
cyanide in sufficient quantities (allowable daily intake: ~0.6 mg)[citation
needed]
causes cyanide poisoning (fatal oral dose: 0.6–1.5 mg/kg)[citation needed]. Apricot
pits contain 89–2,170 mg/kg hydrogen cyanide (wet weight).[citation needed]

History of laetrile
Early usage
Amygdalin was first isolated in 1830 from bitter almond seeds (Prunus dulcis)
by Pierre-Jean Robiquet and Antoine Boutron-
Charlard.[16] Liebig and Wöhler found three hydrolysis products of amygdalin:
sugar, benzaldehyde, and prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide).[17] Later research
showed that sulfuric acid hydrolyzes it into D-glucose, benzaldehyde, and prussic
acid; while hydrochloric acid gives mandelic acid, D-glucose, and ammonia.[18]
In 1845 amygdalin was used as a cancer treatment in Russia, and in the 1920s in
the United States, but it was considered too poisonous.[19] In the 1950s, a
purportedly non-toxic, synthetic form was patented for use as a meat
preservative,[20] and later marketed as laetrile for cancer treatment.[19]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited the interstate shipment of
amygdalin and laetrile in 1977.[21][22]Thereafter, 27 U.S. states legalized the use of
amygdalin within those states.[23]
Subsequent results
In a 1977 controlled, blinded trial, laetrile showed no more activity than
placebo.[24]
Subsequently, laetrile was tested on 14 tumor systems without evidence of
effectiveness. The Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) concluded
that "laetrile showed no beneficial effects."[24] Mistakes in an earlier MSKCC press
release were highlighted by a group of laetrile proponents led by Ralph Moss,
former public affairs official of MSKCC who had been fired following his
appearance at a press conference accusing the hospital of covering up the benefits
of laetrile.[25] These mistakes were considered scientifically inconsequential, but
Nicholas Wade in Science stated that "even the appearance of a departure from
strict objectivity is unfortunate."[24] The results from these studies were published
all together.[26]
A 2015 systematic review from the Cochrane Collaboration found:
The claims that laetrile or amygdalin have beneficial effects for cancer patients are
not currently supported by sound clinical data. There is a considerable risk of
serious adverse effects from cyanide poisoning after laetrile or amygdalin,
especially after oral ingestion. The risk–benefit balance of laetrile or amygdalin as
a treatment for cancer is therefore unambiguously negative.[3]
The authors also recommended, on ethical and scientific grounds, that no further
clinical research into laetrile or amygdalin be conducted.[3]
Given the lack of evidence, laetrile has not been approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration or the European Commission.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health evaluated the evidence separately and
concluded that clinical trials of amygdalin showed little or no effect against
cancer.[19] For example, a 1982 trial by the Mayo Clinic of 175 patients found that
tumor size had increased in all but one patient.[27] The authors reported that "the
hazards of amygdalin therapy were evidenced in several patients by symptoms of
cyanide toxicity or by blood cyanide levels approaching the lethal range."
The study concluded "Patients exposed to this agent should be instructed about the
danger of cyanide poisoning, and their blood cyanide levels should be carefully
monitored. Amygdalin (Laetrile) is a toxic drug that is not effective as a cancer
treatment".
Additionally, "No controlled clinical trials (trials that compare groups of patients
who receive the new treatment to groups who do not) of laetrile have been
reported." [28]
The side effects of laetrile treatment are the symptoms of cyanide poisoning. These
symptoms include: nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, cherry red skin
color, liver damage, abnormally low blood pressure, droopy upper eyelid, trouble
walking due to damaged nerves, fever, mental confusion, coma, and death.
The European Food Safety Agency's Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain has
studied the potential toxicity of the amygdalin in apricot kernels. The Panel
reported, "If consumers follow the recommendations of websites that promote
consumption of apricot kernels, their exposure to cyanide will greatly exceed" the
dose expected to be toxic. The Panel also reported that acute cyanide toxicity had
occurred in adults who had consumed 20 or more kernels and that in children "five
or more kernels appear to be toxic".[29]
Advocacy and legality of laetrile
Advocates for laetrile assert that there is a conspiracy between the US Food and
Drug Administration, the pharmaceutical industry and the medical community,
including the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society, to
exploit the American people, and especially cancer patients.[30]
Advocates of the use of laetrile have also changed the rationale for its use, first as a
treatment of cancer, then as a vitamin, then as part of a "holistic" nutritional
regimen, or as treatment for cancer pain, among others, none of which have any
significant evidence supporting its use.[30]
Despite the lack of evidence for its use, laetrile developed a significant following
due to its wide promotion as a "pain-free" treatment of cancer as an alternative
to surgery and chemotherapy that have significant side effects. The use of laetrile
led to a number of deaths.[30] The FDA and AMA crackdown, begun in the 1970s,
effectively escalated prices on the black market, played into the conspiracy
narrative and enabled unscrupulous profiteers to foster multimillion-dollar
smuggling empires.[31]
Some North American cancer patients have traveled to Mexico for treatment with
the substance, for example at the Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana.[32] The
actor Steve McQueen died in Mexico following surgery to remove a stomach
tumor having previously undergone extended treatment
for pleural mesothelioma (a cancer associated with asbestos exposure) under the
care of William D. Kelley, a de-licensed dentist and orthodontist who claimed to
have devised a cancer treatment involving pancreatic enzymes, 50 daily vitamins
and minerals, frequent body shampoos, enemas, and a specific diet as well as
laetrile.[33]
Laetrile advocates in the United States include Dean Burk, a former chief chemist
of the National Cancer Institutecytochemistry laboratory,[34] and national arm
wrestling champion Jason Vale, who claimed that
his kidney and pancreatic cancers were cured by eating apricot seeds. Vale was
convicted in 2004 for, among other things, fraudulently marketing laetrile as a
cancer cure.[35] The court also found that Vale had made at least $500,000 from his
fraudulent sales of laetrile.[36]
In the 1970s, court cases in several states challenged the FDA's authority to restrict
access to what they claimed was a potentially lifesaving drugs. More than twenty
states passed laws making the use of Laetrile legal. After the unanimous Supreme
Court ruling in Rutherford v. United States which established that interstate
transport of the compound was illegal, usage fell off dramatically.[15][37] The US
Food and Drug Administration continues to seek jail sentences for vendors
marketing laetrile for cancer treatment, calling it a "highly toxic product that has
not shown any effect on treating cancer."[38]
http://cesamancam.ro/vitamina-b17-amigdalina.html

https://www.livestrong.com/article/340602-vitamin-b17/