Ion chromatographic determination of cyanide released from flaxseed under autohydrolysis conditions.
Flaxseed is increasingly being used in some food products because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid and dietary fibre. However, flaxseed contains cyanogenic glycosides which release toxic hydrogen cyanide in the presence of water (autohydrolysis). A method for estimation of cyanide in flaxseed under these conditions is described. The determination is carried out by homogenizing the sample with water, letting it stand, filtering it through a membrane and then injecting the filtrate into an HPLC system consisting of an anion exchange column and an electrochemical (amperometric, oxidation) detector. The homogenate is analysed at various intervals until a maximum value of cyanide is observed. The cyanide content of ten cultivars of flaxseed, when analysed by this method, was found to range from 124 to 196 micrograms/g. The release of cyanide showed a maximum at about 3 h of hydrolysis. Virtually no cyanide was detected on boiling the homogenate or the flaxseed before determination.
Chadha
R K
RK
Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Lawrence
J F
JF
Ratnayake
W M
WM
D000838:Anions; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D003486:Cyanides / Q000032:analysis*; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D005506:Food Contamination; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008043:Linseed Oil; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
D000838:Anions; D003486:Cyanides; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008043:Linseed Oil