Analytical Determination of Cyanide in Maesil (Prunus mume) Extracts

Picrate, enzyme-picrate and instrumental analysis methods using IC (Ion Chromatography) and HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) were compared for their effectiveness in determining cyanide in extracts of Maesil, which is classified as a harmful substance. First, the picrate method showed the shortest analysis time (about 5 hr). The color of picrate paper changed at 0.01 mg/. However, it was difficult to detect cyanide from amygdalin of glucosides. Second, we performed a qualitative analysis for total cyanide (free cyanide and cyanide from amygdalin) by the enzyme-picrate method using -glucosidase and a quantitative analysis by spectrophotometry. Finally, analysis of cyanide by IC and HPLC required the longest determining time (about 17 hr) as well as pretreatment for each free cyanide and amygdalin. These results suggest that enzyme-picrate is the most effective analysis method for the detection of cyanide in Maesil extracts.