BIOTROPIA - The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Biology
Vol. 33 No. 2 (2026): BIOTROPIA Vol. 33 No. 2 May 2026

MICROBIAL DETOXIFICATION OF CYANIDE CONTENT IN CASSAVA WASTE:A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH

Fatimah Ibrahim Jumare (Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia)
Madihah Md Salleh (Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia)
Nurashikin Ihsan (Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia)
Huszalina Hussin (Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia)
Shafa'atu Giwa Ibrahim (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, PMB 2346, Sokoto State, Nigeria)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2026

Abstract

ARTICLE HIGLIGHTS- Cassava waste with cyanide contamination presents significant environmental and health hazards. - Cyanide hydratase, nitrile hydratase, and rhodanese are microbial enzymes essential in the degradation of cyanogenic compounds.- The efficiency of cyanide degradation during fermentation is influenced by pH, temperature moisture content, and microbial strains.ABSTRACTCassava is a vital crop in tropical regions, known for its versatile applications in human and animal nutrition. Despite the potential of cassava byproducts, they contain cyanogenic glycosides such as linamarin and lotaustralin, which can hydrolyze to toxic cyanide, posing enormous environmental and health hazards. This review demonstrates microbial detoxification as an effective approach for mitigating cyanide contamination in cassava byproducts. Microorganisms such as Aspergillus, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas are known for their ability to detoxify cyanide via enzymatic mechanisms. These microorganisms facilitate β-cyanoalanine and rhodanese pathways that convert cyanide into non-toxic compounds. Comparative analysis of cassava waste fractions, leaves, peels, and bagasse showed that cyanide levels varied from 288.12 to 25.69 mg/kg, depending on processing, variety, and fermentation. This review highlighted the degradation of cyanide content from cassava waste via fermentation. The efficiency of submerged and solid-state fermentation processes can be affected by factors such as pH, temperature, microorganisms, and moisture content, achieving over 90% detoxification. However, solid-state fermentation offers a cost-effective, low-energy alternative, and submerged fermentation enhances microbial interaction for improved breakdown. Microbial methods offer a more environmentally sustainable alternative to chemical treatment, yet challenges related to scalability, optimization efficiency, and the necessity for resilient microbial strains remain. Nevertheless, the microbial degradation approach demonstrates significant potential for the biodegradation of cyanogenic compounds, offering a promising biological approach for detoxifying cyanide in cassava waste, reducing environmental pollution, and minimizing economic implications in waste valorization.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biotropia

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Immunology & microbiology Veterinary

Description

BIOTROPIA, The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Biology, is a scientific publication of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) – Southeast Asian Regional Center for Tropical Biology (BIOTROP). It publishes articles in the broad areas of tropical ecosystems and ...