Question

Oil of bitter almonds is
A.

B.

C.

D.

Answer 1

Hint: The oil from bitter almonds is a pale yellow or yellowish clear oily aromatic aldehyde which is naturally obtained i.e. it occurs in almonds kernels or is made synthetically and used in perfumes, manufacture of dyes and as a solvent and a flavouring.

Complete step by step answer:
A yellowish fragrant volatile oil which occurs in almond kernels and is used in the manufacture of dyes, perfumes and flavourings and used as a solvent for oils and resins is Benenecarbaldehyde or benzaldehyde.
Its formula is ${C_6}{H_5}CHO$

Bitter almond is derived from the velvety, fleshy fruit, called a drupe of the Prunus Amygdalus almond tree and the seed of the drupe kernel contains a very fragrant essential oil. The fruit kernels of other trees of the Prunus genus also contain bitter almonds which is protected by a thick pulp and a hard shell and this kernel is found on the apricot tree, peach tree, plum tree and cherry tree. Once they are stripped of their hard shells, the kernels are pressed once which helps to release a vegetable oil very similar to sweet almond oil. The solid residue, “defatted meal”, is then hydro-distilled to produce bitter almond essential oil. When the undesirable prussic acid is removed from the essential oil, it has a balsamic fragrance that is very almondy and sweet.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Bitter almond oil, along with the almonds themselves, is often used to add flavour to baked goods and various desserts and foods like Marzipan, Hard candies, Cookies, Bread, Pastries, Coffee drinks, Alcoholic drinks, by adding in a strong almond flavour. It is used externally as a fragrance ingredient in moisturizers or lotions for the face or the body and can be included in makeup removers as well. The essence of it can also be used in aromatherapy and as massage oil as the scent and feel are often considered broadly therapeutic. It is sometimes blended with other oils, such as orange or apricot, particularly in aromatherapy uses.