Cyanogenic

By themselves, amygdalin and cyanogenic glycosides are harmless, they only become toxic when ingestedbecause in the stomach they encounter β-glucosidases, which break the bond between the sugar part and the aglycone.

Prussic acid poisoning occurs when cyanogenic glucosides in the plant are converted to prussic acid after a heavy frost or drought conditions.

All its figures are based on a ‘worst case scenario’ which assumes the flaxseed contains a high concentration of cyanogenic glycoside.

Leaves, bark, roots, stems, and even unripe berries contain harmful levels of toxins including some cyanogenic glycosides and toxic alkaloids.

Cassavas grown during drought are especially high in these toxins. citation citation A dose of 25 mg of pure cassava cyanogenic glucoside, which contains 2.5 mg of cyanide, is sufficient to kill a rat.

Of particular concern are the cyanogenic glucosides of cassava ( linamarin and lotaustralin ).