Abstract:
Introduction: Prolonged and frequent intake of residual cyanide through
processed cassava (Manihot esculenta) foods can precipitate various types of
toxicity syndromes including thyroid enlargement (Goitre) and other organ
lesions. Since cassava is a staple food and a major energy source for the poor
masses, not only in Nigeria but in many African countries and other developing
worlds where it is considered to have great economic potentials, there is no
intention to advocate discontinuation of the use of cassava as foods but to find
ways of ameliorating the symptoms of toxicity in consuming animals due to
hydrogen cyanide content.
Objective: To study on cassava consuming Female Wistar Rats
Methodology: About 24 albino wistar rats aged 8 to 9 weeks and weighing 150-
165g were divided into 5 groups and fed Ad libitum with heat-treated cassava
cyanide diets for 28 days after seven days acclimatization in food and
environment. Serum iodide/Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) activity was measured
spectrophotometrically at 353nm following active iodine formation from I- and
H202; whereas thyroid hormone levels were determined using kit method. Serum
bilirubin, malondialdehyde, minerals and antioxidant capacity as well as other
phytochemical determinations in M. domestica and M. oleifera were carried out
using standard laboratory methods.
Results: Results showed that TPO activity (μL-1) were 5.055±0.119, 2.384±0.068,
3.627±0.634, and 3.449±0.070 for rats fed on the control, cassava-based feed diet,
apple-cassava-based feed, and moringa-cassava-based feed respectively. This is
an indication that the supplements might be helpful in treating thyroid dysfunction
caused by reduced activity of the TPO enzyme. Antioxidant capacity of apple and
moringa supplements determined was according to the decreasing order
Duchess>Northwest greening>Golden delicious>Moringa seeds.
Discussion: These supplements could be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of
thyroid dysfunction mediated through hydrocyanide intoxication in cassavaconsuming
animals.
