N. O. ROSAO®. 
517 
Differences between Almond and Apricot kernel oil. 
Almond oil. 
Apricot Kernel 
oil. 
Iodine value 
99-2 
108-4 
Saponification value 
201-6 
1998 
Zeiss butyro-refractometer reading at 
25'c. 
58-0 
69-0 
Refractive index at 25°c. 
1-4644 
1-4645 
. Apricot kernels contain from 40 to 45 per cent, of an almost colourless oil 
which becomes yellow on keeping. Apricot oil is so similar to almond oil in 
its physical and chemical characters that most of the figures for these 
constants are of very little use for the purpose of identification. Apricot 
oil, however, with nitric acid, specific gravity 14, assumes an orange colour, 
and with Bieber’s reagent a peach-blossom colour is obtained. Bieber’s test 
is carried out by agitating five volumes of oil with one volume of a mixture 
consisting of equal parts (by weight) of concentrated sulphuric aci^, fuming 
nitric acid, and water. Pure almond oil does not change in colour, whereas 
apricot kernel oil gives a pink (peach-blossom) colour, and peach kernel a 
faint pink colouration after standing some time. Mixtures containing 26 per 
cent, of apricot oil cannot be detected with certainty by means oi this test. 
462. P. Gerasus, Linn, h.f.b.i., ir. 313. Roxb. 
403. 
Vern — Alu-balu (U. P.); Gilds, olchi (Pb.) 
Habitat Cultivated in the Himalayas, the Punjab and the 
United Provinces. 
A middle-sized tree, the bark peeling off in horizontal 
stripes. Leaves elliptic or obovate, abruptly acuminate, irregu- 
larly crenate, serrate ; petioles less than breadth of leaf, 2 glands 
on petiole or on the base of the blade, stipules fimbriate. 
Flowers white, on long slender pedicels, in fascicles of 2-5, from 
lateral, generally leaf-bearing, buds. Calyx turbinate, lobes 
obtuse. Drupes glabrous, with a polished round stone. 
Uses : — The bark which is bitter, is said to possess febrifugal 
properties. The kernel is supposed to be a nervine tonic, and 
is used for the same purposes as hydrocyanic acid, of which it 
contains a considerable proportion. (Watt). 
