GENERAL DESCRIPTION
An evergreen bush to small tree with oblong
leatheryleaves7.5–15 cmlong;uptoabout6 m
high; native towestern Asia; widely cultivated.
Parts used are the fresh leaves. The oil is
obtained by steam distillation of the warm-
watermaceratedleaves.Duringmacerationthe
enzyme prunase (or emulsin) hydrolyzes the
cyanogenic glucoside present to yield benzal-
dehyde and hydrocyanic acid (HCN), which
are volatile and distilled with steam. Most of
the HCN is removed by neutralization and
washing of the oil. Cherry laurel water is the
waterdistillateadjustedtocontain0.1%HCN.^1
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
The leaves contain variable amounts (usually
ca. 1.5%) of prunasin (d-mandelonitrile glu-
coside), with the young and small leaves
containing the highest concentrations. During
isolation, prunasin is partially converted to its
isomer sambunigrin (l-mandelonitrile gluco-
side), resulting in a racemic mixture of the two
isomers known as prulaurasin (dl-mandeloni-
trile glucoside). Other constituents present
in the leaves include 1% ursolic acid, wax,
tannin, emulsin, and others (KARRER).2–4
The oil, like bitter almond oil, is composed
almost entirely of benzaldehyde and HCN,
with small amounts of benzyl alcohol.
Cherry laurel oil (FFPA) for food use
should not contain HCN.
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
Cherry laurel oil (FFPA) is practically
equivalent to pure benzaldehyde and has the
pharmacological and toxicological properties
of benzaldehyde (seebitter almond).
TOXICOLOGY
Hydrocyanic acid is a deadly poison.
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Not used in the United States, but cherry laurel
water is used in Europe as sedative, anodyne,
and antispasmodic and in eye lotions.
Food. Cherry laurel oil (FFPA) is used as a
flavor component in numerous food products,
including alcoholic (liqueurs such as cordials,
etc.) and nonalcoholic beverages, frozen
dairy desserts, candy, and baked goods. High-
est average maximum use level reported is
0.014% in candy.
Traditional Medicine. Leaves used in treat-
ing coughs, insomnia, stomach and intestinal
spasms, vomiting, and other ailments; also
reportedly used in cancers.^5
COMMERCIAL PREPARATION
Cherry laurel oil (FFPA).
Regulatory Status. Leaves approved for food
as natural flavoring substance provided prus-
sic acid (HCN) does not exceed 25 ppm
(§172.510).
REFERENCES
See the General References forARCTANDER;BAILEY1;BIANCHINI AND CORBETTA;FEMA;GRIEVE;LIST AND
HO ̈RHAMMER;MCGUFFIN1&2;MARTINDALE;MERCK;UPHOF.
- A. Puech et al.,Trav. Soc. Pharm. Montp.,
36 , 101 (1976).
2. M. Henriet et al.,J. Pharm. Belg., 29 , 437
(1974).
184 Cherry laurel leaves
