Bioavailability of cyanide from marzipan (human study)
Description:
Cyanogenic glycosides are contained in many plants (e.g. bitter almond and apricot kernelsas amygdalin) as a mechanism of self-protection to herbivorous animals. In order to give abitter taste, the kernels mentioned are in part used for the production of marzipan and persipan. In the European Union, a long-standing maximum level for cyanide of 50 mg/kg isallowed (sum of free and glycoside-bound cyanide). The consumption of a large amount ofmarzipan (100 g) with this level leads to an intake of 5 mg cyanide, corresponding to onetenthand four-tenth of the minimally lethal dose of free cyanide in adults and children(4 years old, body weight 15 kg), respectively. Without further data available, the maximumlevel mentioned is too high. In this regard, bioavailability of cyanide from marzipan is acrucial issue, e.g. the degree of intestinal liberation of glycoside-bound cyanide throughglucosidase. More important than the total amount of cyanide absorbed after consumption ofmarzipan is the peak level of cyanide in the body directly correlating with the acute-toxiceffect (blockage of cellular energy generation). The time course of cyanide levelsmeasurable directly in blood will be investigated in a human study with volunteers(consumption of increasing amounts of marzipan with high cyanide levels). This will answer the question whether toxicologically relevant levels of cyanide can be reached in blood.
Executive Institute:
BfR - Department 5: Food Safety (BfR - LMS) Details of BfR - Department 5: Food Safety
Parent institution:
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Details of (BfR) (Berlin)
Contract period:
01. 03. 2011 - 31. 12. 2011
Participating Institutions:
- University of Colorado Details of University of Colorado
Funding Programme:
- BfR Funding Details of BfR Funding
Subject:
- Physiology of Nutrition
Purpose of research:
Applied research
Funding Institutions:
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Details of (BfR)
Project Management Agency:
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Details of BfR