• Question: why is there cyanide in cherries

    Asked by matthew kerr to Marcello, Israel, Dheeraj on 19 Nov 2019.
    • Photo: Marcello Valente

      Marcello Valente answered on 19 Nov 2019:

      The cyanide in the seeds of many plants is a form of defence against small insects but it is not dangerous to big animals like the mammals.

    • Photo: Israel Ikoyi

      Israel Ikoyi answered on 19 Nov 2019:

      It’s the seeds of cherries that contain a compound called amygdalin. Amigdalin only breaks down to cyanide when the seeds are ingested. While cyanide is poisonous, an accidental ingestion of seeds of cherries is not dangerous. The caution is that you should ingest these seeds on purpose.

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