Location: Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center
Title: Cyanogenic glycoside analysis in American elderberryAuthor
APPENTENG, M - University Of Missouri | |
KRUEGER, R - University Of Missouri | |
JOHNSON, M - University Of Missouri | |
INGOLD, H - University Of Missouri | |
BELL, R - Truman State University | |
THOMAS, A - University Of Missouri | |
GREENLIEF, C - University Of Missouri |
Submitted to: Molecules
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2021 Publication Date: 3/4/2021 Citation: Appenteng, M.K., Krueger, R., Johnson, M.C., Ingold, H., Bell, R., Thomas, A.L., Greenlief, C.M. 2021. Cyanogenic glycoside analysis in American elderberry. Molecules. 26:1384. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051384. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051384 Interpretive Summary: Cyanogenic glycosides are naturally occurring plant molecules that have the potential to release a chemical that is toxic to humans when consumed. It is unclear the extent to which this substance might be present in American elderberry (an edible fruit) because the proper methods for analysis had not previously been developed. This study reports on the development of a reproducible and robust method to determine the potential for toxic levels of these substances in American elderberry. Concentration levels in stems, seeds, and berries were found to be generally low and at a level that poses no threat to consumers. Technical Abstract: Cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs) are naturally occurring plant molecules (nitrogenous plant secondary metabolites) which consist of an aglycone and a sugar moiety. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is released from these compounds following enzymatic hydrolysis causing potential toxicity issues. The presence of CNGs in American elderberry (AE) fruit, Sambucus nigra (subsp. anadensis), is uncertain. A sensitive, reproducible and robust LC-MS/MS method was developed and optimized for accurate identification and quantification of the intact glycoside. A complimentary picrate paper test method was modified to determine the total cyanogenic potential (TCP). TCP analysis was performed using a camera-phone and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. A method validation was conducted and the developed methods were successfully applied to the assessment of TCP and quantification of intact CNGs in different tissues of AE samples. Results showed no quantifiable trace of CNGs in commercial AE juice. Levels of CNGs found in various fruit tissues of AE cultivars studied ranged from between 0.12 and 6.38 g/g. In pressed juice samples, the concentration range measured was 0.29–2.36 g/mL and in seeds the levels were 0.12–2.38 g/g. TCP was highest in the stems and green berries. Concentration levels in all tissues were generally low and at a level that poses no threat to consumers of fresh and processed AE products. |