Variation of Cyanogenic Potential of Selected Cassava Varieties with Age in Zombo District, Uganda
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Oloya, Benson
Adaku, Christopher
Andama, Morgan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Refereed Journal of Arts, Science & Commerce
Abstract
Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for around 500 million
people. In Uganda, it is currently one of the most important food crops and ranks second to bananas in
terms of area occupied, total production and per capita consumption. However, cassava contains
cyanogenic glycosides such as linamarin and Lotaustralin, which are toxic. Consumption of such toxins
in sufficient quantities can cause acute cyanide poisoning and death in humans and animals. Thus,
cassava is a possible health risk to the consumers. Awareness about the trend of cyanogenic glycosides
content in cassava as it matures is paramount in minimizing the health risks associated with cassava
consumption. As such, the most common local cultivars; Bisimwenge, Nyar-anderiano, Nyar-udota, in
Zombo district and two improved cultivars: NASE 9 and TME 14, were investigated for variation in their
cyanogenic content with age. The concentrations of cyanogens were determined using standard titration
method. The results showed that cyanogeniccontent was highest at the ages of 8-10 months and generally
decreased after the tenth month. It is therefore safer to harvest cassava after at least ten months when the
levels of the hydrogen cyanide have reduced and stabilized.
Description
Keywords
Cassava, Cyanogenic potential Food safety, Linamarin, Lotaustralin
Citation
Oloya, B., Adaku, C., & Andama, M. (2018). Variation of cyanogenic potential of selected cassava varieties with age in Zombo district, Uganda.