Abstract

The hydrogen cyanide contents of Manihort utilissima (Cassava), Colocasia esculenta (Coco yam), Dioscorea bulbifera (Aerial yam) and Dioscorea domentorum (Trifoliate yam) Tubers found in Benue State were determined in their fresh and dried forms. The amount of hydrogen cyanide found in the fresh state was 304.60 mg•100g-1, 34.10 mg•100g-1, 49.70 mg•100g-1 and 79.40 mg•100g-1 for Manihort utilissima, Colocasia esculenta, Dioscorea bulbifera and Dioscorea domementeroum respectively; while the amount observed in the dry form was 249.50 mg•100g-1, 17.30 mg•100g-1, 32.50 mg•1200g-1 and 55.10 mg•100g-1 for Manihort utilissima, Colocasia esculenta, Dioscorea bulbifera and Dioscorea domementeroum respectively. Higher hydrogen cyanide contents were observed in the fresh samples than the dried samples. Manihort utilissima was found to have the highest values both in the fresh and the dried forms. Statistical analysis of the mean values of hydrogen cyanide content of the tubers indicates a significant difference between the fresh and the dried forms of the tubers. The study revealed that tubers of these plants have relatively high content of hydrogen cyanide content.

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