Linamarases

Linamarases are an alternative term for certain β-glucosidases (linamarin-hydrolysing enzymes) that cleave the glycosidic bond of cyanogenic glycosides. In cassava processing they are the key to detoxification: endogenous linamarase hydrolyses the cyanogenic glycoside linamarin into glucose and acetone cyanohydrin, which then releases hydrogen cyanide — driven off by grating (bringing enzyme and substrate together), fermenting, pressing and drying/heating. Without this enzymatic step, followed by volatilisation of the HCN, cassava would remain poisonous; processing must be thorough enough that residual cyanogens fall below safe limits (10 mg/kg HCN eq, Codex).