Almond

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University of Duhok

School of Pharmacy

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Kingdom – Plantae

Order –

RosalesFamily – Rosaceae

Genus – PrunusSpecies – P. Dulcis

Prunus Prunus

amygdalus amygdalus

Almonds are a familiar type of nut. Almonds are a familiar type of nut. They can be They can be sweetsweet oror bitterbitter, depending on the , depending on the type of tree. type of tree. Sweet almond Sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis) (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis) and does not contain poisonous chemicals. and does not contain poisonous chemicals. Bitter almond from Bitter almond from (Prunus amygdalus var. (Prunus amygdalus var. amara) amara) andand contain toxic chemicals.contain toxic chemicals.

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trees about 5 m in height. young fruit have a soft wallfruit ripens to form a pitted

wall or shell. The seeds length from 1.5 cm

to 5 cm, Odor :( benzaldehyde odor )

bland odorOrigin: Iran & Asia minor and now

cultivated in the warm temperate regions .

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Rose color flowers

Seeds

skin6

Fats: unsaturated oleic, linoleic fatty acids, and palmitic acidGlycoside: amygdalin

Vitamins: E, (α-tocopherol), Vit B complex

(RiboflavinB2,Niacin)

Dietary fibers

Minerals:Magnesium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassiumpolyphenolic; flavonols (quercetin)

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Amygdalin : poisonous cyanogenetic glycoside found in the seeds of bitter almonds which upon enzymatic hydrolysis with emulsin give rise to hydrocyanic acid(HCN), benzaldehyde, suger.

Amygdalin enzyme emulsin +

H2O HCN + + benzaldehyde (V.O)

+glucose

Riboflavin :is essential for oxidation reduction reactions in the cell and in cellular respiration.

Vitamin E :is the major antioxidant

in body tissues and is defense against lipid peroxidation,

protecting cell membranes

from free radical attack. 10

Bitter almond used as sedative due to HCN content.Demulcent in skin-lotion.Help in weight loss as it contain healthy

fats.Make teeth , bone stronger.Antioxidants fight free radical damageNourishes nervous system.Relief from constipation.Treatment of heart burn

Both varieties contain 40-55 % fixed oil20% proteinmucilage & emulsin.Bitter almonds contain 2.5-4% cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin.

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Almond oils is produced by grinding the seeds & expressing them in a canvas bag between slightly heated iron plates. the oil is then clarified by subsidence and filtration.

Oil is pale yellow liquid with a slight odour & bland, nutty taste.13

Essential oil is obtained from the cake left after expressing bitter almonds. This is macerated with water for some time to allow for the hydrolysis of amygdalin. The benzaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid are separated by steam distillation.

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ablution articles.mild laxative action.Volatile almond oil is used as

a flavouring agent.preparing emulsion and as vehicle for oily injections Cosmetics – hair and skin

creams and lotions

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Sedative medications: Phenobarbital

Diazepam

Vitamin CGrains & Eggs

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Trease and Evans' Pharmacognosy 16th Edition By William Charles Evans

Textbook of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

 By Biren Shah, Avinash Seth

therapeutic Applications of Almonds (Prunus amygdalus L):by Dr. Hari Jagannadha Rao , Dr. Lakshmi

www.webmed.com