A reciprocal relationship was observed between the cyanide content of gari and particle size. Hydrocyanic acid (HCN) content was positively correlated (r = 0.62) with sugar content but the correlation with starch content was poor (r = 0.33). From both the nutritional and toxicological standpoints, it would appear that larger particles size in gari is beneficial.

Although commonly known as a highly toxic chemical, cyanide is also an essential reagent for many industrial processes in areas such as mining, electroplating, and synthetic fiber production. The "heavy" use of cyanide in these industries, along with its necessary transportation, increases the possibility of human exposure. Because the onset of cyanide toxicity is fast, a rapid, sensitive, and ...

A study of the metabolism of Bermuda marine invertebrates at 25 degrees C. shows that the respiratory rates of many of the tissues approximate those of vertebrate tissues at the same temperature. There is no apparent correlation between respiratory rate and phylogenetic development: tissues from some of the simpler forms use as much oxygen per unit weight as those from certain of the more highl...

A novel and practical method has been developed for the synthesis of β-cyanoketones using tetraethylammonium cyanide (Et4NCN, TEACN) / Sc(III) triflate and chalcones without the liberation of toxic HCN gas. Availability, safety, easy handling of the reagents, mild conditions of the reaction and high yields, make this method an attractive protocol for the direct synthesis of cyano substituted 1,...

Recent developments in the chemical modelling of cometary comae are described. We discuss the cyanide chemistry and present new HCN observations of the recent comet C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang). The connection between interstellar and cometary organic molecules is discussed from the perspective of recent theories of interstellar gas-grain chemistry.

The formation of hydrogen cyanide during the catalytic reduction of nitric oxide (NO) with carbon monoxide and hydrogen was studied with a bench-scale flow reactor. The previously reported inhibition by sulfur dioxide of the formation of hydrogen cyanide was found to be counteracted by transient admission of oxygen to the catalyst. These results are discussed in the context of the control of au...

Nitrogen is a crucial component that acts as building blocks for nucleic acids and proteins. It abundantly present in atmosphere of the earth but plants are not able to easily utilize it. Diazotrophic microorganisms such Rhizobium convert N2 make it available pulse crops. In study, total thirty-four isolates were recovered, from twenty-two with gram-negative-rods biochemically characterized. Mo...

A simple, sensitive optical analyzer for the rapid determination of cyanide in blood in point of care applications is described. HCN is liberated by the addition of 20% H(3)PO(4) and is absorbed by a paper filter impregnated with borate-buffered (pH 9.0) hydroxoaquocobinamide (hereinafter called cobinamide). Cobinamide on the filter changes color from orange (λ(max) = 510 nm) to violet (λ(max) ...

A procedure was refined for quantitative isolation of cyanide by gas transfer from acidified blood or plasma samples. The cyanide was trapped in dilute alkali and quantified as the pyridine/pyrazolone complex. The within-day coefficient of variation was 2%, which increased to about 2.5% for the day-to-day variation. Nitroprusside used as a hypotensive agent in clinical medicine provides a risk ...