CONCENTRATIONS AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF CYANIDE IN CASSAVA PEELS, TUBERS AND LEAVES FROM DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) is a perennial tropical crop which contains carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium and iron which have of nutritional benefit; in addition to cyanogenic glycosides The latter when hydrolyzed by the enzyme linamarase produces poisonous hydrogen cyanide. The study aimed at assessing the level of hydrogen cyanide in cassava peels, leaves and tubers and
the human risk associated. Determination of cyanide levels was done using the Alkaline titration method and data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The concentration of cyanide in cassava fresh peels, fresh leaves, tubers, dried leaves, rotten peels ( wet and dried) shows significant differences (p<0.05) between the different locations except for tubers (p>0.05). The highest level of
cyanide was found in fresh peels with 4.75±0.25 mg/kg in Abraka, 4.34±0.32mg/kg in Obiaruku and 3.89±0.41 mg/kg in Aragba-Orogun. Cyanide concentration in fufu and garri also shows significant differences (p<0.05) in the three sampling locations. The daily intake for ingestion of cyanide were evaluated for adults and children, there was no considerable hazard risk arising from the consumption of the cassava leaves and tubers duly processed