Cassava, cyanide intoxication

Casadei, E., P. Jansen, A. Rodrigues, A. Molin, and H. Rosling. 1984. Mantakassa an epidemic of spastic paraparesis associated with chronic cyanide intoxication in a cassava staple area of Mozambique. 2. Nutritional factors and hydrocyanic acid content of cassava products. Bull. World Health Org. 62 485-492. 

Small amounts of cyanocobalamin are found in the bloodstream (about 2% of total plasma vitamin B12) apparendy as part of the metabolism of cyanide derived from food (and tobacco smoke), but not in erythrocytes or tissues. If it is not converted to aquo- or hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin may have antivitamin action and has been implicated in the neurological damage associated with chronic cyanide intoxication seen in parts ofwest Africa, where the dietary staple, cassava, is rich in cyanogenic glycosides. 

Ministry of Health, Mozambique (1984a) Mantakassa an epidemic of spastic parapesis associated with chronic cyanide intoxication in a cassava staple area of Mozambique. 

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