Behavioural Activity and Renal Functions from Toxicity Level of Bitter Cassava Induced-Konzo and Linamarine

Background: Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) is the most widely consumed starch- based food in Africa, where it thrives in the continent's tropical and subtropical temperatures.

Aim: The purpose of this research was to better understand the impact of linamarine using a rat model of konzo.

Methods: Twenty-five (25) adults female Wistar rats were split into five (5) groups, with each group receiving the same amount of linamarin over the course of five weeks: group 1 received animal feed and water as a control, group 2 received bitter cassava and water, group 3 received 4.7 ml of linamarin, group 4 received 2.7 ml of linamarin, and group 5 received 0.7 ml of linamarin. The animals were killed so that samples could be tested in a lab. The time taken to go from the cage's entrance to each of its four corners was the metric tracked. Lack of movement, sluggishness, frequent urine and diarrhea, head sniffing and exploration, ears bent backward, puffiness, and teeth chattering were also seen.

Results: The data revealed that the bitterness of the cassava was significantly reduced in the linamarin group compared to the control group, and that the participants in the linamarin group gained weight. The group fed linamarin had much fewer crossings, shorter rearing times, and lower motivation than the other groups, the group fed bitter cassava remained on the rod for longer at the end of the test.

Conclusion: Research shows that consuming unprocessed bitter cassava results in renal impairment and that consuming pure linamarine, cassava extract induces hepatoxicity.