Investigation of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in cassava tuber as a therapeutic alternative for prostate cancer treatment

Abstract

This research work aimed to identify, characterize and evaluate cyanogenic glycosides present in two cassava tubers varieties (big and small variants of cassava). Four samples A1, B1, C2 and D2 were subjected to compositional analysis, FTIR characterization and UV–Vis spectroscopic evaluation after cold maceration using methanol–water (80:20). UV–Vi’s spectra revealed diagnostic absorption bands corresponding to π→π* transitions of nitrile (–C≡N) and aromatic chromophores associated with linamarin, lotaustralin and amygdalin. Distinct absorption peaks at ~234 nm confirmed the presence of linamarin/lotaustralin, while 210–220 nm indicated amygdalin. Comparative analysis showed that the sample C2 produced the strongest absorbance intensities, indicating a higher concentration of cyanogenic glycosides relative to A1 and B1 samples. FTIR evaluation further supported these findings, displaying characteristic functional groups including broad O–H stretching (3330–3340 cm⁻¹), C–O and glycosidic C–O–C vibrations (1100–1150 cm⁻¹), and notably, a pronounced nitrile (C≡N) absorption band near 2130–2140 cm⁻¹ which is the most intense in the C2 and D2 samples. These spectra signatures confirmed the structural presence of cyanogenic glycosides and revealed higher biochemical diversity and extractive content in sample C2 and D2. Overall, the study established a positive correlation between cassava toxicity and cyanogenic glycoside abundance, validating the C2 and D2 samples, particularly the main roots, as a richer source of bioactive compounds. The findings suggest that, when properly detoxified and pharmacologically standardized, cyanogenic glycosides from cassava hold promising potential as natural precursors for anticancer drug development particularly for Chemopreventive prostate cancer management.