Prunus dulcis

Prunus dulcis (from lat. prunum, plum), the almond tree belongs to the rose family and is today mainly cultivated in California and in the Mediterranean area (e.g. Mallorca). The tree reaches a height of three to eight metres. Depending on the variety, it forms an expansive crown.

One distinguishes among others the variations:

• Prunus dulcis var. dulcis with sweet almonds and
• Prunus dulcis var. amara with bitter almonds.

The somewhat felted, hairy, initially light green, later dark brown, leathery, firm, approximately plum-sized drupes of Prunus dulcis contain an approximately 2cm large, cream-coloured seed kernel enclosed by a light brown seed coat, the actual almond. The seed skin contains a concentration of antioxidants which prevent the penetration of atmospheric oxygen and thus the rancidity of the almond's stored oils.

The cream-coloured almond kernels, about 1.8-2.5 cm long, taste sweet or bitter, depending on the variety. In cosmetics, different proportions of the almond fruits (fruits complete, almond kernels, press residues), but also the leaves of the almond tree are used.

Ingredients of Semen amygdale dulce (sweet almonds): 40-65% fatty oil, 10% sucrose, glucose, 30% protein, choline, asparagine, max. 0.1% amygdalin, emulsin, enzymes.

Ingredients of Semen amygdale amarae (bitter almonds): 30-50% fatty oil, up to 30% protein, choline, asparagine, 1.5-8% amygdalin, from which prussic acid can develop enzymatically or in an acidic environment (the consumption of large quantities of bitter almonds can be fatal; for children 5-12 bitter almonds, for adults 50-80 bitter almonds.

• Prunus amygdalus amara extract (INCI): extract from the seeds of the bitter almond
• Prunus amygdalus amara oil (INCI): Extract from the seeds of the bitter almond (Prunus amygdalus amara)
• Prunus amygdalus dulcis extract (INCI): Extract from the seeds of the sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis)
• Prunus amygdalus dulcis meal (INCI): Extract from the residue left after pressing the kernels of sweet almonds (Prunus amygdalus dulcis).
• Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil (INCI): the oil of the sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) obtained by cold-pressing the almond seeds
• Prunus amygdalus dulcis protein (INCI): the protein material obtained from the cold pressing of almond seeds of the sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis)
• Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed extract (INCI): Extract from the dried ripe seeds of the sweet almond.
• Prunus amygdalus amara extract (INCI): extract from the seeds of the bitter almond
• Almond bran (Farina amygdalarum): almond bran is used for cosmetic and naturopathic purposes. Almond bran is obtained from the pressing residues that arise during the production of almond oil.

1. Ammon H et al (2014). Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary. Walter de Gruyter GmbH Berlin/Boston S 1478