HISTORYCassava is a staple in Africa that contains toxic concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides when improperly processed. Occasionally, outbreaks of cyanide poisoning occur following the consumption of bitter cassava, particularly during periods of drought. 1
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTIONThe distribution of cyanogenic glycosides is widespread throughout the plant kingdom, occurring in at least 2,500 plants species, primarily in the Compositae, Fabaceae, Linaceae, and Rosaceae families. 2 Of these plants, clinically important human toxicity probably occurs only following the ingestion of cassava. Prunasin occurs in at least six plant families (Myoporaceae, Myrtaceae, Polypodiaceae, Rosaceae, Saxifragaceae, Scrophulariaceae).
CassavaCommon Name : Cassava Scientifi c Name : Manihot esculenta Crantz Botanical Family : Euphorbiaceae (Spurge) Physical Description : Cassava is a perennial, woody shrub with large, brown, tapered tubers that are staples in many poor countries. This shrub or small tree reaches about 1.25 -5 m (4 -16 ft) in height. The leaves are glabrous and deeply parted with spatulate to linear -lanceolate acuminate lobes up to 15 cm (6 in.) long. The fl owers form panicles. Distribution and Ecology : This plant is a native species of Central and South America that was spread by 17th century explorers to Africa and later to the Indian subcontinent. Cassava is widely cultivated in subtropical and tropical areas for the high starch content of the tubers. Fruit Kernels ( Prunus spp. ) Common Name : Apple Scientifi c Name : Malus domestica Borkh. Botanical Family : Rosaceae (rose) Physical Description : This deciduous fruit tree forms a broad crown and reaches up to 12 m (39 ft) in height. The leaves are simple and alternate with a serrated tip and petiole up to 5 cm (2 in.) long. The white fl ower appears in spring with fi ve petals. The fruit matures in autumn with fi ve, star -shaped carpels containing one or two seeds. Distribution and Ecology : The apple is a native plant of the mountains in Central Asia, and now numerous cultivars of the apple are widely distributed throughout the world. Common Name : Peach Scientifi c Name : Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. Botanical Family : Rosaceae (rose) Physical Description : The deciduous tree reaches up to 10 m (33 ft) in height with broad, lanceolate leaves up to 15 cm (6 in.) long. In early spring, the solitary, pink fl owers appear before the leaves with fi ve petals. The drupe (stone fruit) contains a single, large seed with a hard, corrugated cover.
Chapter 5
CYANOGENIC FOODS
45Distribution and Ecology : This peach tree is a native species of China, which is now widely cultivated in temperate climates. However, the chilling requirements and limited cold tolerance of the fruit restricts the areas of production to places other than tropical and subtropical climates.
Cycad SeedsCycas plants (e.g., Cycas revoluta Thunb. or sago palm) belong to the order Cycadales, which contains approximately 11 genera of tropical and subtropical plants that produce terminal oblong cones...