Ask A Scientist© General Science Archive

   
name         Greg
status       student
age          17

Question -   My teacher is Dr. Joanne Frigerio at Lyons Township High
School.  I was wondering since there are chemicals in apple seeds that
produce cyanide.  About how many apple seeds would you need to consume
in order to have produce the lethal amount of cyanide in order to die
(.5grams).
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Dear Greg,

I haven't seen a number for a lethal dose; however, the following links may
be helpful:
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bio99/bio99250.htm
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99463.htm
http://net.unl.edu/wonderwise/14africa/a-plant.htm
http://ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/newsletters/n13_81.htm

There are a lot of other plants more likely fatal:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/PLANTanswers/publications/poison/poison.html

Sincerely,

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.,
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