Impacts of Cassava Mill Effluents in Nigeria - Impacts of Cassava Mill Effluents in Nigeria - Open Access Pub

Cassava is the fourth largest staple food after rice, wheat and maize. Cassava is produced in the tropical and sub-tropical countries. Currently, the global production of cassava is about 215,436,496 tons. Out of these, Nigeria accounts for 20.3%, being the largest producing nation. During processing of cassava flour (Gari), three main wastes are generated including cassava mill effluents (CME), solid and gaseous emission. This paper reviews the impacts of CME in Nigeria. The study found that CME’s physicochemical quality often exceeds the limit for effluents discharge onto land and surface water as recommended by Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), Nigeria. CME alters the quality of soil and water with regard to physicochemical, heavy metal and microbial characteristics. CME can induce toxicological effects on the environments and its biota including humans, fisheries, flora and fauna. The impacts are mostly associated with physicochemical (viz: odour, cyanide, acidic, dissolved oxygen, biological and chemical oxygen demand, conductivity) and heavy metals characteristics. Therefore, there is the need for treatment and sustainable management strategies of CME through biotechnological advancement. DOI10.14302/issn.2637-6075.jpae-17-1890 Like rice and maize, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) which belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family is a major staple food in Africa especially Nigeria. Cassava is a typical food security crop 1. According to Nwokoro et al. 2, Afuye and Mogaji 3, cassava is one of the most vital food crops consumed in developing countries especially in tropical areas. Its cultivation and processing into useful products such as gari and fufu4 Cassava is cultivated in over 80 countries of humid tropical region of the world 5. Cassava products are rich in carbohydrates 6, vitamins (mostly vitamins B and C), essential minerals and low in protein. The nutrient composition depends on the variety, age, and prevailing environmental condition including soil characteristics. Ukwuru and Egbonu 7 reported that cassava is a major source of energy for more than 2 billion people in the world especially in the tropical region. Cassava is consumed by more than 500 million people in developing nations 8 and about 300 million in the tropical countries 9. Cassava is an annual crop that is propagated by stem and harvested between 7 – 13 months after planting depending on variety 10, 11. However, some farmers harvest cassava after 2 - 3 years of planting depending on their income 11. Cassava thrives well in warm, moist climate 12, but can tolerate