Simple solution fights konzo

Abstract

A basic wetting process has been developed, to reduce cyanide content of cassava flour, reducing the risk of delibitating paralysis suffered from Konzo disease. The disease is caused by cyanogens poisoning from cassava fruit, affecting women and children in most African countries. The disease can be found in Eastern, Southern, and Central African countries, while it also spreads in Tanzania and in the Republic of Congo (DRC). Cyanogens from cassava also cause several other medical problems, such as acute intoxication and death due to cyanide poisoning. Children are in more danger of being affected by cyanide poisoning, in comparison to adults, as the dose of cyanide is proportional to body weight. It was found that letting the cassava flour stand in water resulted in significant reduction cyanide content of the fruit,making it harmless to eat. Show more