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In Vivo Metabolism in Rats of Cyanide -Containing Compounds From Cassava Leaves


PN Okafor

Abstract

Qualitative analysis of ethanol extracts of cassava by double dimensional thin-Iayer chromatography indicated the presence of novel cyanide-containing compounds, which were shown chemically to be cyanohydrin (Rf, 0.25) ands nitrile (Rf, 0.645). Administration of the eluates of those chromatographically identified CN- entities to rats by stomach intubation resulted in statically significant differences (p< 0.01) in blood and urine thiocyanate (SCN-) and cyanide (CN). The increased SCN- fonnation in blood and urine provided definite evidence that the cyanogens were metabolized either partially or wholly. This was further confined by non -detection of the novel cyanide compounds when two dimensional t.l.c examination of rat urine was conducted in ethylacetate: methanol: diethylether (8:.1: 1. v/v). The toxicological implication of these findings are discussed.


Keywords: novel cyanide-compounds, cassava leaves, metabolism, rats.


Bio-Research Vol.1(1) 2003: 69-74

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eISSN: 2705-3822
print ISSN: 1596-7409