QUANTITATIVE SOLID-STATE DETECTION OF CYANOGENS: FROM FIELD TEST KITS TO SEMI-AUTOMATED LABORATORY SYSTEMS ALLOWING KINETIC MEASUREMENTS

Solid-state analysis of cyanide and cyanogenic compounds is reviewed with special reference to methods based on the Guignard (picrate) reaction. Methods are described which allow quantification of total cyanogens and of individual cyanogenic compounds (linamarin, cyanohydrins and hydrogen cyanide) in extracts and excretions. Different instruments for use in quantification are evaluated with respect to quality and speed. They are also considered with respect to field work (portable systems). The instruments discussed include microtiter plate readers, portable reflectometers and graphic scanners combined with personal computers. An incubation block design which allows for the study of the kinetics of hydrolysis of cyanogenic glycosides by -glycosidases, is presented.