title: A socio-scientific analysis of the environmental and health benefits as well as potential risks of cassava production and consumption.
abstract: Due to its high adaptability, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the world's most cultivated and consumed plants after maize and rice. However, there are relatively few scientific studies on this important crop. The objective of this review was therefore to summarize and discuss the available information on cassava cropping in order to promote sustainable practices in terms of production and consumption. Cassava cultivation has been expanding recently at the global scale and is widely consumed in most regions of South America, Africa, and Asia. However, it is also characterized by the presence in its roots of potentially toxic hydrocyanic acid. Furthermore, cassava can also absorb pollutants as it is currently cultivated near roads or factories and generally without consideration for potential sources of soil, water, or atmospheric pollution. Careful washing, peeling, and adequate preparation before eating are therefore crucial steps for reducing human exposure to both environmental pollutants and natural hydrocyanic acid. At present, there is not enough precise data available on this staple food crop. To improve our knowledge on the nutritive benefits versus health risks associated with cassava consumption, further research is necessary to compare cassava cultivars and precisely study the influence of preparation methods.
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; INP, ENSAT, Avenue de l'Agrobiopole, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan Cédex, France.|Université de Toulouse; INP, UPS; EcoLab; ENSAT, Avenue de l'Agrobiopole, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mombo
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; INP, ENSAT, Avenue de l'Agrobiopole, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan Cédex, France. camille.dumat@ensat.fr.|UMR 5044-Centre d'Etude et de Recherche Travail Organisation Pouvoir (CERTOP), Université Toulouse Jean Jaurès, Maison de la Recherche, 5 Allée Antonio Machado, 31058, Toulouse Cedex 9, France. camille.dumat@ensat.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dumat
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.affiliation: Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, 14 Avenue E. Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schreck
mesh_terms: D000069599:Crop Production; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D002365:Manihot; D018517:Plant Roots; D012306:Risk; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Cassava crops; Human health; Metal(loid) transfer; Pollution; Sustainable food