Do Cassava Leaves Contain Cyanide?

While cassava roots contain less than 10 percent of the linamarin level found in cassava leaves, it's the long-term exposure to cyanide that presents a threat to humans. "Linamarin is converted to cyanide when eaten," Sayre said. "Repeated exposure of low doses of cyanide over time can lead to health problems.

Are cassava leaves poisonous?

The cassava plant is consumed by 500,000 million people in 80 countries across the world including Sierra Leone. What makes it so poisonous is that both the leaves and root contain cyanogenic glycosides; chemicals that can be broken down to release hydrogen cyanide.

How do you get rid of cyanide in cassava?

Pounding or crushing cassava leaves and then boiling them in water is an efficient process for removal of cyanogens. Indeed, about 97% of cyanogenic glucosides are removed and cyanohydrin and free cyanide are completely removed (Nambisan 1994).