test for cyanide in prunus species

[smhjn17]

Im working for a project wherein i want to show the presence of cyanide in apricot kernels or bitter almond

Test for cn- will be dn once i get cn- ,

I need some help regarding how must i go about hydrolysing the amygdalin to get cn-,....iv seen methods like using sulphuric acid and then picric acid.....

Will i get good results and how ???

Also cyanide will be produced in dissolved state or gas?

[hypervalent_iodine]

I would strongly recommend not trying to obtain cyanide if you don't know what you're doing, as this could lead to some obviously bad results for you or others. Picric acid isn't something you want to be playing around with if you're unsure if your methods, either. Why don't you try and extract and quantify the amygdalin instead? Surely that would be easier?

[smhjn17]

 

Wat bt this....http://mv.picse.net/alkoloids/almonds/test-for-hydrogen-cyanide-in-almonds/

I think this is safe

[hypervalent_iodine]

Look, anything where you are producing HCN is not a good idea if you are not experienced and can avoid it. Was there anything wrong with my other suggestion? How were you planning on quantifying it?

 

Edit: what project is this for? I'd be curious to know how you planned on obtaining picric acid.

 

Edit 2: I've realised that you didn't mention needing to quantify the CN present. My idea may be too involved, in this case. However, it would be helpful to know why you're trying to do this and what facilities you have access to?

[smhjn17]

This is for a science event at some school....ill be doing this at thr level of my school lab

Nd the link is only a reference

Idont want to quantify it but just show the presence of cyanide ion qualitatively....

But yes i want to be safe and precautious thats why im finding the safest way....

Im really determined.....and picric acid is available in my school lab

[John Cuthber]

There is a way to measure cyanide using picric acid, but it seems you also need a spectrometer.

http://www.infomine.com/publications/docs/CyanideMethodPicricAcid2.pdf

 

You also need a known solution of cyanide to act as a calibration.

No school should let you play with cyanides.

 

However the prussian blue test gives a clearly visible blue/green colour if cyanide is present and the more cyanide you have, the deeper the blue so you might be able to use this sort of test

http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/jvv53a99/pdf;jsessionid=C6F5899A4B4AFA8FB8E724B054788528.tobacco03

[smhjn17]

Thnk u so much for the suggestions...