A cyanogenic glucoside present in almonds and seeds of other plants of the family Rosaceae; the principal component of laetrile. Emulsin splits a. into benzaldehyde, d-glucose, and hydrocyanic acid. SYN: amygdaloside. [G. amygdala, almond, + -in]
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amyg·da·lin ə-'mig-də-lən n a white crystalline cyanogenetic glucoside C20H27NO11 found esp. in the seeds of the apricot, peach, and bitter almond
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amyg·da·lin (ə-migґdə-lin) a cyanogenetic glycoside (l-mandelonitrile-β-gentiobioside) found in seeds and other plant parts of the bitter almond and other members of the family Rosaceae, often the cause of cyanide poisoning in animals eating them in large amounts. It is split by enzymatic hydrolysis into glucose, benzaldehyde, and hydrocyanic acid. See also Laetrile and laetrile.Medical dictionary. 2011.